New Year 2025 will be celebrated at various times across the globe due to differences in time zones. As midnight strikes in each region, festivities ignite with fireworks, parties, and joy. The first places to welcome the New Year are near the International Date Line, while the last celebrations occur on the opposite side. Let’s explore the global timeline of New Year’s festivities!
Why Is the New Year Celebrated at Different Times?
The Earth is divided into 24 time zones, each representing a specific longitude. As a result, countries celebrate the New Year at different times. For example, India follows Indian Standard Time (IST), which is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Universal Time (UTC+5:30). Nations east of India often celebrate the New Year earlier, while those to the west celebrate later.
Timeline of New Year Celebrations: From First to Last
From Christmas Island to Baker Island, here’s the timeline of when and where New Year 2025 will be celebrated:
| Order | Location | Celebration Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christmas Island (Kiritimati), Kiribati | 3:30 PM IST |
| 2 | Chatham Islands, New Zealand | 3:45 PM IST |
| 3 | Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand | 4:30 PM IST |
| 4 | Tonga, Samoa, Fiji | 5:00 PM IST |
| 5 | Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra (Australia) | 7:30 PM IST |
| 6 | Adelaide, Broken Hill, Ceduna (Australia) | 7:45 PM IST |
| 7 | Queensland, Northern Australia | 8:00 PM IST |
| 8 | Japan, South Korea, North Korea | 8:30 PM IST |
| 9 | Western Australia (Perth) | 8:45 PM IST |
| 10 | China, Philippines, Singapore | 9:30 PM IST |
| 11 | Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar | 10:00 PM IST |
| 12 | India, Sri Lanka | 11:00 PM IST |
| 13 | Pakistan, Afghanistan | 11:30 PM IST |
| 14 | Baker and Howland Islands (Hawaii) | 5:30 PM IST (January 1) |
First Place to Celebrate the New Year
The first place to welcome 2025 is Christmas Island (Kiritimati) in Kiribati. This small island in the Pacific Ocean begins the festivities at 3:30 PM IST. Shortly after, the Chatham Islands in New Zealand celebrate at 3:45 PM IST, followed by Auckland and Wellington at 4:30 PM IST.
Vibrant Celebrations Across the Pacific
Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji join the New Year revelry just after New Zealand. These islands are renowned for their dazzling fireworks and vibrant cultural festivities.
Australia follows next, with major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra ringing in the New Year at 7:30 PM IST. Other regions, including Adelaide and Queensland, celebrate shortly afterward.
Festivities in Asia
Japan, South Korea, and North Korea welcome 2025 at 8:30 PM IST, accompanied by grand displays of fireworks and traditional celebrations. Western Australia joins in at 8:45 PM IST, followed by China, the Philippines, and Singapore at 9:30 PM IST.
Countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar usher in the New Year after East Asia. In South Asia, India and Sri Lanka celebrate together at 11:00 PM IST, with Pakistan and Afghanistan joining at 11:30 PM IST.
The Final Celebration
The last places on Earth to celebrate the New Year are the uninhabited Baker and Howland Islands, near Hawaii. These remote islands mark the conclusion of global New Year celebrations at 5:30 PM IST on January 1.