Who Celebrates New Year First & Who Rings in Last?- As the clock approaches midnight on December 31, millions of people around the world prepare to greet the new year. The transition to 2025 will be marked by a stunning wave of celebrations, with each region commemorating the milestone at a different moment due to the Earth’s rotation and various time zones. From little Pacific islands to booming metropolis across continents, here’s how the world will celebrate the New Year.
Who Celebrates New Year First & Who Rings in Last?
The first to celebrate the New Year are the islands of Tonga, followed by New Zealand and parts of Australia, due to their position in the UTC+13 time zone. On the other hand, the last to ring in the New Year are regions like American Samoa and Baker Island, situated in the UTC-12 time zone. This time zone difference creates a fascinating global sequence of celebrations as the world welcomes the new year.
First stop: Christmas Island and Samoa
The first spot to welcome 2025 will be Christmas Island (Kiritimati) in the Republic of Kiribati. A little island in the Pacific Ocean will be the first to welcome the new year at 5 a.m. EST (3.30 p.m. IST). Shortly after, the Chatham Islands of New Zealand will honour the occasion at 5.15 am EST (3.45 pm IST), followed by New Zealand’s major cities of Auckland and Wellington at 6 am EST (4.30 pm IST).
Across the Pacific: Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji
The celebration is spreading around the Pacific, with Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji joining in. These countries will celebrate the new year shortly after New Zealand, with cities such as Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand, followed by Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra in Australia, where fireworks will light up the sky. The festivities will then move on to smaller Australian cities such as Adelaide, Broken Hill, and Ceduna, with Queensland and Northern Australia joining in 2025 later.
The East: Japan, Korea, and China Join Celebrations
As the clock ticks forward, Japan, South Korea, and North Korea will begin their festivities at 10 a.m. EST. Western Australia follows shortly after, with large cities such as Perth leading the way at 10.15 a.m. IST (8.45 p.m. IST). By midnight in China, the Philippines, and Singapore, the streets will be alive with fireworks, lanterns, and the festive mood of the new year.
Southeastern Asia
Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar will all rejoice as the clock ticks ahead, followed by Bangladesh and Nepal. As celebrations continue across the region, India and Sri Lanka will honour the anniversary at 1.30 pm EST (11 pm IST), with Pakistan and Afghanistan following suit.
Last stop: Baker & Howland Islands
The uninhabited islands of Baker and Howland, south-west of Hawaii, will be the last places on Earth to welcome in the new year. As the last to see 2025, these isolated islands will mark the end of the global celebration at 5.30 p.m. IST on January 1.
Conclusion
The first to celebrate the New Year are the islands of Tonga, followed by places like New Zealand and Australia, due to their positions in the time zone sequence. Conversely, the last to ring in the New Year are regions such as American Samoa and Baker Island in the Pacific, which are among the last to experience the transition to January 1st. This global time difference highlights the world’s diverse celebrations of this universal occasion.
Who Celebrates New Year First & Who Rings in Last? FAQ’S
Which country celebrates the New Year first?
Tonga, followed by New Zealand and parts of Australia, are the first to celebrate the New Year due to their location in the time zone sequence.
Who is the last to celebrate the New Year?
American Samoa and Baker Island are among the last places to ring in the New Year, being in the last time zones.
Why do different countries celebrate the New Year at different times?
The Earth is divided into time zones, and as the planet rotates, different regions experience midnight at different times.
What time zone is the first to welcome the New Year?
The UTC+13 time zone, including places like Tonga, is the first to ring in the New Year.
Is there a place that celebrates the New Year last every year?
Yes, regions like American Samoa and Baker Island, in the UTC-12 time zone, are the last to celebrate.