This year’s New Year’s will be unlike any other. We’re all looking forward to putting 2021, the year of the epidemic and a lot of difficulty, behind us and moving on to a new year full of hope and optimism. Here are a few countries that were among the first to greet the year 2022, much ahead of the rest of the world.
Hong Kong
Fireworks explode over skyline building to celebrate New Year in Hong Kong, China.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s Auckland welcomes the New Year 2022 with fireworks.
Australia
The “family fireworks”, displayed three hours before midnight every year ahead of the main show at midnight, fill the sky over the Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge on New Year’s Eve on December 31, 2021 in Sydney.
Melbourne, Australia
People watch a sunset fireworks show for children and families while celebrating New Year’s Eve on the Yarran River waterfront, in Melbourne, Australia.
Seoul, South Korea
A visitor wearing a face mask poses for a photo in front of illuminated decorations on New Year’s Eve in Seoul, South Korea.
Sydney, Australia
Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney.
Thailand
People enjoy New Year’s amid the Covid-19 pandemic in Bangkok, Thailand.
China
Attendees at an event that coincided with the New Year Eve cheer as fake snow from a foam machine is blown overhead in Beijing, China.
Singapore
Beam lights are seen projected from the top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel on the eve of New Year 2022, in Singapore on December 31, 2021.
Japan
Tokyo holds one of the biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world. However, like last year, the event at Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo has been cancelled.
