World waves goodbye to tumultuous 12 months

Millions around the world were on Tuesday getting set to ring in the New Year, with celebrations briefly outshining conflict in some parts of the globe.

Nations in the South Pacific Ocean were the first to wave goodbye to 2024. Midnight in New Zealand is 18 hours ahead of Eastern Time.

In Auckland, thousands were expected to throng the downtown or climb the city’s ring of volcanic peaks for a fireworks vantage point — and a light display recognizing Auckland’s Indigenous tribes.

In Australia two hours later, more than 1 million people were gathered at the Sydney Harbor for the traditional fireworks. Some partygoers, eager to secure a good vantage point, arrived nearly 20 hours ahead.

Celebrations kicked off at 9 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET), with the first display of fireworks created by the Indigenous group We Are Warriors. Projections of Aboriginal fisherwoman Barangaroo were splashed across the Harbour Bridge as fireworks erupted to celebrate the land, sea and sky.

British pop star Robbie Williams is expected to lead a singalong later in the evening.

And across Asia, millions were readying for the Year of the Snake, seen as the year of rebirth in the Asian zodiac.

In Japan, which observes the zodiac cycle from Jan. 1, stores were seen selling snake-themed products while temples and homes underwent a thorough cleaning before much of the nation shut down in celebration.

The mood was somber in South Korea after Sunday’s Jeju Air flight crash at Muan that killed 179 people. Most celebrations were cut back or canceled, while the country observed a period of national mourning.

Jakarta will also celebrate the new year with a fireworks display, which includes pyrtecnics show featuring 800 drones, and countdowns to midnight at the city’s iconic Hotel Indonesia Roundabout.