Updated 10 November 2026. Only Sydney, Melbourne and Wellington have confirmed their 2026 programs. For other cities we describe the traditional celebrations and will add details when they are announced.
Summary of New Year’s Eve 2026 cities
The new year takes about 26 hours to travel around the world, and New Zealand leads the major cities – midnight reaches Wellington and the rest of New Zealand at 11:00 UTC, followed two hours later by Sydney and Melbourne, then Tokyo and Seoul, Hong Kong, Manila and Singapore, Bangkok, Delhi and Mumbai, Dubai, Paris, London, Rio de Janeiro and finally New York, which sees the year arrive 18 hours after New Zealand. Celebrate in these New Year’s Eve 2026 cities with spectacular events!
For people in Australia and New Zealand, most of the world rings in the new year while you sleep or the next morning – Hong Kong’s and Manila’s midnight is 3am in Sydney, India’s is 5:30am, Dubai’s is 7am, London’s is 11am and New York’s is 4pm on 1 January, so the table below is worth saving for planning calls
Several cities have changed their celebrations, so check before you travel – Hong Kong held no harbour fireworks last year after a deadly apartment fire in November 2025 and has not confirmed a harbour show for this year, London’s Thames fireworks have been ticket-only in recent years, and Tokyo’s countdown is quiet, built around temple bells
Midnight in each city, in Sydney and Auckland time
| City | Time zone | Midnight arrives at (Sydney time) | Midnight arrives at (Auckland time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland and Wellington | UTC+13 | 10:00pm, 31 Dec | Midnight |
| Sydney and Melbourne | UTC+11 | Midnight | 2:00am, 1 Jan |
| Tokyo and Seoul | UTC+9 | 2:00am, 1 Jan | 4:00am, 1 Jan |
| Hong Kong, Manila and Singapore | UTC+8 | 3:00am, 1 Jan | 5:00am, 1 Jan |
| Bangkok | UTC+7 | 4:00am, 1 Jan | 6:00am, 1 Jan |
| Delhi and Mumbai (India) | UTC+5:30 | 5:30am, 1 Jan | 7:30am, 1 Jan |
| Dubai | UTC+4 | 7:00am, 1 Jan | 9:00am, 1 Jan |
| Paris | UTC+1 | 10:00am, 1 Jan | 12:00pm, 1 Jan |
| London | UTC+0 | 11:00am, 1 Jan | 1:00pm, 1 Jan |
| Rio de Janeiro | UTC-3 | 2:00pm, 1 Jan | 4:00pm, 1 Jan |
| New York | UTC-5 | 4:00pm, 1 Jan | 6:00pm, 1 Jan |
Times assume daylight saving in Sydney (UTC+11) and New Zealand (UTC+13) on 31 December. For the full order of the new year, including Kiribati and the Pacific islands, see our guide to New Year’s Eve 2026 by time zone.
Australia and New Zealand
| City | Early or family fireworks | Midnight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington | Kids’ countdown and a short burst of fireworks at 9:30pm | Fireworks display | Whairepo Lagoon, free, 8pm to midnight |
| Sydney | Calling Country family fireworks at 9pm | Main display from the Harbour Bridge and Opera House | Official 2026 program |
| Melbourne | Family fireworks at 9:30pm in the free Celebration Zones | “Midnight Moment” of rooftop fireworks and lasers | City of Melbourne program |
For more cities across New Zealand and Australia, see our guide to New Year’s Eve 2026 by time zone.
Auckland
Auckland is the first major city to ring in the new year, and fireworks have traditionally been launched from the Sky Tower at midnight. The 2026 program hasn’t been announced yet, so check SkyCity and Auckland Council for confirmed details.
Wellington
The City Council’s 2026 program is confirmed for Thursday 31 December, from 8pm to midnight at Whairepo Lagoon by Frank Kitts Park. It is free.
| Time | What |
|---|---|
| 8pm | Live music begins |
| 9:30pm | Kids’ countdown and a short burst of fireworks |
| 10pm | Live music continues |
| Midnight | Countdown to 2027 and fireworks display |
Sydney
Sydney’s 2026 program is confirmed by the City of Sydney.
| Time | What |
|---|---|
| 7:30pm | Smoking ceremony |
| 8:30pm | Harbour Bridge pylon projections and lighting |
| 8:45pm | Welcome to Country |
| 9pm | Family fireworks (“Calling Country”) |
| Around 9:15pm | Sydney Harbour Lights parade (the official program places it between the two shows) |
| Midnight | Main fireworks display, launched from the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and other landmarks |
Darling Harbour also holds separate fireworks at 9pm and midnight over Cockle Bay. See the official Sydney New Year’s Eve site for vantage points and tickets.
Melbourne
The City of Melbourne’s 2026 event runs from 7pm to 1am on Thursday 31 December, with two fireworks shows:
- 9:30pm: family-friendly fireworks, with free Celebration Zones for viewing.
- Midnight: the “Midnight Moment”, a rooftop fireworks and laser display.
Asia
Tokyo
Tokyo’s New Year’s Eve is quiet by comparison, built around temple bells at midnight and a first shrine visit in the early hours of the new year, rather than a harbour fireworks show.
Seoul
Seoul’s best-known tradition is the ringing of the Bosingak bell 33 times at midnight.
Hong Kong
Last year there were no fireworks over Victoria Harbour, out of respect for the people killed in the Tai Po apartment fire in November 2025, in which at least 161 people died. A countdown event was held in Central instead. No program has been confirmed for this year as at mid-November, and sources differ on what to expect, so check the Hong Kong Tourism Board before you book.
Manila
Filipinos celebrate with Media Noche, a family feast just before midnight, and a mix of customs: a dozen round fruits on the table, polka dots, opening doors and windows at midnight, jumping at midnight for luck, and plenty of noise. Many cities now promote organised public fireworks displays for safety, although firecrackers remain part of the tradition.
Metro Manila hosts countdown events at malls, business districts and resorts each year. This year’s lineups haven’t been announced yet.
Singapore
Marina Bay is the focus of Singapore’s countdown. This year’s program hasn’t been announced yet.
Bangkok
Bangkok counts down along the Chao Phraya River, with a riverside celebration centred on ICONSIAM and fireworks over the water. Boats line up on the river to watch. Check the programme closer to the date.
Delhi and Mumbai (India)
India’s celebrations are spread across many cities rather than one headline show. Popular gathering places include India Gate and Connaught Place in Delhi, Marine Drive and the Gateway of India in Mumbai, Goa’s beaches, and Bengaluru’s MG Road, Brigade Road and Indiranagar, and many people also mark the night with prayers at temples. Security is typically tight in the big cities, so check local police announcements for this year’s traffic and entry arrangements.
Middle East
Dubai
Dubai’s main event is the fireworks and light show around the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and the city also holds fireworks at many other locations. Crowds have queued for hours in recent years, and viewing options have included free street areas and paid viewing. This year’s details haven’t been announced yet.
Europe
Paris
Paris celebrates on the Champs-Élysées, with a light show and fireworks at the Arc de Triomphe. This year’s details haven’t been confirmed, so check official announcements closer to the date.
London
London’s fireworks over the Thames, around the London Eye, have been ticket-only in recent years. This year’s ticketing and program haven’t been confirmed, so check the official London New Year’s Eve site.
The Americas
Rio de Janeiro
Rio celebrates on Copacabana Beach, where crowds traditionally dress in white and fireworks light up the sky over the ocean. It is often described as the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve party.
New York
The famous Times Square ball drop happens at midnight, and confetti is released as the new year begins. Separate fireworks are held in parks around the city. Times Square is crowded and controlled, so read the official guidance if you plan to attend.
Planning calls to family overseas
If your family is overseas, use the table to find their midnight in your time. If you’re in Australia or New Zealand, most of these midnights fall between 2am and 7am, so set an alarm or schedule a call for later that morning.
If you are sending money home for the festive season
Public holidays in Australia, New Zealand and the destination can add time to transfers. OrbitRemit’s Help Centre gives settlement guidance in working days, counted after your payment reaches OrbitRemit. Check the estimated delivery time in your account before you confirm, and allow extra time around Christmas and New Year. Delivery estimates are not guarantees. Compare the total your recipient would receive, not just the fee.
OrbitRemit makes its margin on the exchange rate, which is shown before you confirm. OrbitRemit does not provide advice on exchange rate timing.
FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Which major city celebrates New Year first?
Cities in New Zealand, including Wellington, are the first major cities to reach midnight, at 11:00 UTC on 31 December, about 18 hours before New York. Only places in Kiribati and the Chatham Islands are earlier.
What time is midnight in Hong Kong in Sydney time?
3am on 1 January in Sydney, and 5am in New Zealand.
What time is midnight in the Philippines in Sydney and New Zealand time?
Manila reaches midnight at 3am on 1 January in Sydney and 5am in New Zealand, the same as Hong Kong and Singapore.
What time is midnight in India in Sydney and New Zealand time?
Delhi and Mumbai reach midnight at 5:30am on 1 January in Sydney and 7:30am in New Zealand, because India is on UTC+5:30.
Will there be fireworks in Hong Kong this New Year’s Eve?
Not confirmed. Last year the harbour fireworks were replaced by a countdown event in Central. Check the Hong Kong Tourism Board for this year’s plans.
Do I need a ticket for the London fireworks?
Recent years’ Thames fireworks around the London Eye have been ticket-only. This year’s ticketing hasn’t been confirmed, so check the official London New Year’s Eve site.
What time are the Melbourne and Wellington fireworks?
Melbourne has family fireworks at 9:30pm and a “Midnight Moment” of rooftop fireworks and lasers. Wellington has a kids’ countdown and short fireworks at 9:30pm and a fireworks display at midnight, at Whairepo Lagoon.
What time are the Sydney fireworks?
Family fireworks at 9pm and the main fireworks at midnight, on Thursday 31 December 2026.
Where is the new year last to arrive?
Baker Island, an uninhabited US territory, about 26 hours after the first places. The last inhabited places are American Samoa and Niue.
Important information
This article is general information only. Event details, times, ticketing and safety arrangements can change, so check official sources for this year’s confirmed plans before you travel. Time conversions assume daylight saving time in Sydney (UTC+11) and New Zealand (UTC+13) on 31 December. Transfer times vary by destination and payment method, and delivery estimates are not guarantees. OrbitRemit does not provide advice on exchange rate timing, and its exchange rate includes a margin, with the rate and destination amount shown before you confirm each transfer.
Related guides
- New Year’s Eve 2026 by time zone
- How international money transfers work
- What does my OrbitRemit transfer status mean?
Last updated 10 November 2026.
Sources: Associated Press, ABC News, CBS News, CNN and Al Jazeera, New Year’s celebrations around the world (31 December 2025 to 1 January 2026) | Wellington City Council, New Year’s Eve 2026 | City of Melbourne, New Year’s Eve 2026 fireworks, and ABC News, Melbourne New Year’s Eve (December 2025) | City of Sydney media release, Preparing for the biggest night of the year (September 2026) | Victorian Government, Plan ahead and celebrate safely this New Year’s Eve (29 December 2025) | Hong Kong Tourism Board announcement via ECNS (17 December 2025) and Time Out Hong Kong | NSW Government and City of Sydney, Sydney New Year’s Eve 2026 | GMA Network, Manila Standard, Cebu Daily News and PhilSTAR Life, New Year’s Eve in the Philippines (2025) | PTI, Deccan Chronicle, Deccan Herald and All India Radio, India welcomes the new year (31 December 2025 to 1 January 2026) | Fizen, New Year’s Eve in Asia (2026) | OrbitRemit Help Centre, settlement guidance by destination
