World welcomes new year 2026: Which country was the first to observe it?

New Delhi: People in India welcomed the new year 2026 with great pomp and splendor. Amid dense fog and biting cold, the streets in big cities overflowed, with people thronging popular places in Mumbai and Delhi to celebrate the occasion, despite the intense cold.

Delhi witnessed its coldest New Year's Eve since 2020, as temperatures dropped to 12 degrees Celsius. Tourists thronged the mountain places like Shimla and Manali, who enjoyed the snow. In countries like New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, North Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and China, people welcomed the New Year earlier than in India.

New Zealand, one of the earliest to welcome 2026, celebrated the occasion with much pomp. In Auckland, there was a large fireworks display with the sky above the iconic Sky Tower illuminated. Around 3,500 fireworks launched from the 240-metre-tall Tower light up the sky on the occasion. Thousands of people viewed the incredible spectacle as the nation welcomed the new year. The Chatham Islands were the first place in the country to welcome the New Year. In Australia, especially in Sydney, the year 2026 was welcomed with major fireworks.

Celebrations took place in other countries as well, with Japan welcoming 2026 with its traditional Shogatsu celebrations. South Korea observed the New Year celebrations, and so did North Korea, albeit in a restrained manner.

Add TV9 English As A Trusted Source

The first place in the world to welcome the new year 2026 was Kiritimati Island in Kiribati, a country in the Pacific Ocean. Also known as Christmas Island, it is located in the UTC+14 time zone. On the other hand, American Samoa and the Baker and Howland Islands are the last places to celebrate the New Year.