As the world prepares to welcome the New Year, the transition into 2025 will unfold in a spectacular wave of celebrations across different time zones. Each country will mark this occasion at various times, creating a unique global countdown.
Here’s a detailed look at the countries that will celebrate New Year 2025, starting from the first to ring it in to the last.
The First to Celebrate: Kiribati
- Christmas Island (Kiritimati), Kiribati
- Time Zone: UTC+14
- Celebration Time: January 1, 2025, at 5:00 AM EST
- Details: This small island in the Pacific Ocean is home to approximately 133,500 residents who will be the first to greet the New Year. Celebrations typically include traditional music, dancing, and fireworks.
- Chatham Islands, New Zealand
- Time Zone: UTC+13:45
- Celebration Time: January 1, 2025, at 5:15 AM EST
- Details: Following Kiribati, the Chatham Islands will celebrate with their own local traditions.
- Mainland New Zealand (Auckland and Wellington)
- Time Zone: UTC+13
- Celebration Time: January 1, 2025, at 6:00 AM EST
- Details: Major cities like Auckland and Wellington will host vibrant fireworks displays and public festivities.
Continuing Across the Pacific
- Tonga
- Time Zone: UTC+13
- Celebration Time: Shortly after New Zealand
- Details: Known for its rich cultural heritage, Tonga will also join in the celebrations.
- Samoa
- Time Zone: UTC+13
- Celebration Time: Shortly after Tonga
- Details: Samoa will celebrate with traditional festivities and gatherings.
- Fiji
- Time Zone: UTC+12
- Celebration Time: Following Samoa
- Details: Fiji’s celebrations often include communal feasts and cultural performances.
Australia Joins the Festivities
- Sydney and Melbourne, Australia
- Time Zone: UTC+11
- Celebration Time: January 1, 2025, at 8:00 AM EST
- Details: Australia’s largest cities are famous for their spectacular fireworks shows over iconic landmarks like Sydney Harbour.
- Queensland and Northern Australia
- Time Zone: UTC+10
- Celebration Time: Later on January 1
- Details: These regions will continue the celebration with local events.
Asia Welcomes the New Year
- Japan and South Korea
- Time Zones: UTC+9
- Celebration Time: Shortly after Australia
- Details: Both countries have unique traditions for welcoming the New Year, including temple bell ceremonies in Japan.
- China
- Time Zone: UTC+8
- Celebration Time: An hour after Japan and South Korea
- Details: While China celebrates the Lunar New Year later in January or February, many cities will still observe Western New Year’s Eve with fireworks and parties.
- Bangladesh and Nepal
- Time Zones: UTC+6 and UTC+5:45 respectively
- Celebration Time: Following China
- Details: These countries will celebrate with local customs and festivities.
- India and Sri Lanka
- Time Zones: UTC+5:30
- Celebration Time: January 1, 2025, at 1:30 PM EST (11 PM IST)
- Details: Celebrations include family gatherings and fireworks in major cities.
The Last to Celebrate
- American Samoa
- Time Zone: UTC-11
- Celebration Time: Nearly a full day after Kiribati.
- Details: American Samoa will ring in the New Year at around 6:00 PM EST on January 1, making it one of the last places on Earth to celebrate.
- Baker Island and Howland Island (uninhabited)
- Time Zone: UTC-12
- Celebration Time: January 1, 2025, at 5:30 PM EST (the last places on Earth)
- Details: These remote islands will mark the final moment of global celebration.
1. Kiritimati Island, Republic of Kiribati
Kiritimati Island, also known as Christmas Island, is the first location on Earth to celebrate the New Year. Located in the Pacific Ocean, Kiritimati is one of the largest atolls in the world. In 1995, Kiribati changed the international date line to provide uniformity across its islands and attract tourists eager to be the first to ring in the New Year.
2. Chatham Islands, New Zealand
The Chatham Islands, a small group of islands located east of New Zealand, will be among the first to celebrate the New Year. With a 12-hour time difference ahead of Nigeria, New Zealand will welcome 2025 by noon Nigerian time
3. Tonga
Tonga, an island nation in the South Pacific, will join the New Year festivities shortly after the Chatham Islands. With its stunning beaches and vibrant culture, Tonga is a popular destination for New Year celebrations.
4. Fiji
Fiji, an island nation situated in the Pacific Ocean, will celebrate the New Year at 1:00 PM Nigerian time. Known for its clear waters, coral reefs, and lush forests, Fiji is a tropical paradise for tourists.
5. Japan
Japan, an island country located in East Asia, will celebrate the New Year at 4:00 PM Nigerian time. Japan is famous for its vibrant culture, rich history, and cutting-edge technology
6. North Korea
North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, will welcome the New Year at 4:00 PM Nigerian time. The country is known for its authoritarian government, unique culture, and stunning natural landscapes.
7. South Korea
South Korea, a country in East Asia, will also celebrate the New Year at 4:00 PM Nigerian time. South Korea is renowned for its vibrant cities, rich cultural heritage, and world-class technology.
8. Singapore
Singapore, a small island city-state located in Southeast Asia, will welcome the New Year at 5:00 PM Nigerian time. Singapore is famous for its multicultural society, stunning architecture, and world-class infrastructure.
9. China
China, a vast and populous country located in East Asia, will celebrate the New Year at 5:00 PM Nigerian time. China is renowned for its ancient history, stunning landscapes, and rapidly growing economy.
10. Indonesia
Indonesia, a vast Southeast Asian archipelago comprising more than 17,000 islands, will welcome the New Year at 6:00 PM Nigerian time. Indonesia is famous for its diverse culture, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant cities.
11. Russia
Russia, spanning two continents, Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, will celebrate the New Year at 10:00 PM Nigerian time. Russia is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and vast landscapes.
12. American Samoa and Niue
American Samoa and Niue, located southwest of Kiribati, will be among the last to celebrate the New Year. These islands mark the end of the global New Year countdown.