“Happy New Year” can be heard around the world tonight, with many countries already welcoming 2015 and New Year’s Eve celebrations just getting underway in others. Photos of year-end parties are streaming on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram with the hashtag #NYE2015.
The Times Square Ball dropped at 12 midnight EST in New York City, with people from coast to coast in the U.S. watching the big countdown on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest .
“ @TSwiftinAsia : Taylor performing on New Year’s Eve in Times Square: 2015, 2013, and 2010! pic.twitter.com/0GbCtHuMzv ” MY BABY ????
— nikki (@madeoftay) January 1, 2015
My view tonight in Times Square. Happy New Year’s Eve everyone! #NYC #NYE2015 @EverythingNYC pic.twitter.com/0KSlflOngZ
— Anthony Quintano (@AnthonyQuintano) December 31, 2014
In other parts of the world, Europe’s celebrations began in Moscow with fireworks over St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin.
Fireworks light the sky over St. Basil’s(Saviour) Tower during celebrations of New Year’s Eve in Red Square in Moscow pic.twitter.com/VA3BFGKsmh — JOAN (@blujayrain) December 31, 2014
It’s already 2015 in New Zealand as well. The Guardian reports that Sydney, Australia welcomed the new year with a brilliant fireworks display launched across the Sydney Harbor. As many as one billion people around the globe are said to have watched the incredible display that included 11,000 shells, 100,000 individual effects, 25,000 shooting comets, and live music.
Happy New Year! Celebrations begin in Fiji and New Zealand as 2015 starts with a bang http://t.co/Omj4d2Z0h5 pic.twitter.com/YHDCEGN5At
— Bea (@bhutton48) December 31, 2014
Instead of celebration, there was sadness in Shanghai, China when a stampede killed 35 people and injured more than 40 shortly before midnight. Reuters reports that the stampede happened in a large crowd in a tourist strip in Chen Yi Square.
The BBC reports that 2015 has also been welcomed with parties and fireworks displays in many cities across Asia and Europe, with firework displays in a host of major cities. The Gulf Arab emirate of Dubai reportedly had a “spectacular display” of lights on the world’s tallest building, trying to beat a world record for the largest LED-illuminated facade.
Why have New Year’s Eve goals spent at time square when Dubai is beautiful pic.twitter.com/eNcrX4Rhgx
— Lilli (@lovelylilli) December 31, 2014
New Year’s Eve celebrations in London reportedly took place in the London Eye. Party-goers in France gathered near the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris to welcome 2015. People in Italy shouted “Happy New Year” on the Piazza Venezia in Rome.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Paris, London, NewYork, and Dubai pic.twitter.com/xsG6XzHoxF
— Rania (@RaniaOmer) January 1, 2015
Where did you celebrate New Year’s Eve?
[Image: Yahoo! News ]