The article showcases photos from New Year's celebrations around the world, including iconic events in New York, Sydney, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Seoul, Taipei, Beijing, Tokyo, Beirut, highlighting fireworks, cultural traditions, and public gatherings welcoming 2026.
The article suggests watching movies that depict lively New Year's Eve celebrations, perfect for enjoying from home as they showcase parties, resolutions, and festive antics.
AP News showcases diverse Christmas celebrations worldwide, capturing joyful, reverent, and dazzling moments from Bethlehem to Beijing, including charity swims, religious services, parades, and cultural traditions.
The Philippines celebrates the longest Christmas season in the world, starting as early as September and lasting until January, with elaborate decorations, family reunions, traditional foods, and religious observances rooted in Christianity, reflecting the Filipino love for celebration and community.
The pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Jamnagar have attracted a star-studded guest list of around 2,000, including celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and many others. The event featured performances by Rihanna, Arijit Singh, and Diljit Dosanjh, with appearances from prominent figures like Bill Gates and Sundar Pichai. The festivities included dance performances, celebrity reunions, and a variety of glamorous outfits, culminating in the Hastakshar ceremony marking the official union of Anant and Radhika.
New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras with various parades and festivities, including Zulu, Rex, Argus, and other krewes rolling throughout the day. The WDSU News team will provide live coverage of the events from New Orleans to Metairie and the Northshore.
St. Louis hosts a vibrant Mardi Gras celebration, drawing tens of thousands of revelers to enjoy the Grand Parade and other festivities, making it a beloved tradition for many in the region.
The Carnival extravaganza has kicked off in Brazil with the coronation of King Momo in Rio de Janeiro, marking the beginning of the five-day revelry. The mayor officially declared Carnival 2024 open, and festivities will last through to February 14, with an estimated 49 million people across Brazil and 200,000 foreigners participating. The key ceremony has been made an annual official event, obliging future mayors to participate, and King Momo is charged with presiding over the festivities and promoting the joy of partygoers.
On April 8, a total solar eclipse will be visible across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, lasting 4 minutes and 28 seconds. The eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's light. Safety precautions include using specially designed glasses to view the eclipse, while those in the path of totality can view it without glasses for the duration of totality. Festivities and events are planned across the country to celebrate the rare astronomical event.
Lunar New Year, which falls on February 10, 2024, marks the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac. The festival lasts for 15 days and is filled with traditions such as cleaning homes, preparing special dishes, giving and receiving red packets, and visiting temples. The Lantern Festival on the 15th day marks the end of the celebrations, symbolizing the departure of winter and the beginning of spring.
Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, predicted an early spring at the annual Groundhog Day celebration in Pennsylvania, as he did not see his shadow. The event, which draws thousands of spectators, featured traditional rituals and live performances. Despite a federal agency estimating Phil's accuracy at about 40%, the majority of other weather-predicting groundhogs across the U.S. and Canada also forecasted an early spring. The tradition, rooted in European farm life, has sparked interest and celebrations in various states and provinces, with Punxsutawney Phil's fame further popularized by the 1993 film "Groundhog Day."
During the 2024 Gasparilla festivities in Hillsborough County, Florida, one person was arrested for boating under the influence, and two others were ejected for unknown reasons. The sheriff's office reported that no deputies were injured during the parade, and Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed gratitude for the smooth execution of the event by the Sheriff's Office.
Gasparilla 2024 is underway in Tampa, with over 300,000 people expected to join the pirate parade along Bayshore Boulevard. The Jose Gasparilla pirate ship has docked, and Mayor Jane Castor has surrendered the key to the city to Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, kicking off the festivities. Attendees are enjoying the warm weather and festivities, with live updates, photos, and more being shared throughout the day. Various events, including the pirate invasion, parade, and pirate fest, are scheduled, with tips for parking, alcohol, and packing provided for attendees.
Across the United States, various cities celebrate New Year's Eve with unique traditions beyond the iconic Times Square ball drop. In Havre de Grace, Maryland, a duck decoy descends, while Mt. Olive, North Carolina, lowers a giant pickle, courtesy of the local pickle company. Mobile, Alabama, rings in the new year with a giant electronic MoonPie, and Flagstaff, Arizona, drops a metallic pinecone. Temecula, California, lowers oversized grapes, and Seattle, Washington, launches fireworks from the Space Needle. These diverse celebrations reflect local culture and history, drawing thousands of spectators and adding regional flair to the nationwide festivities.
SantaCon 2023 brought merry madness to the streets of NYC as approximately 30,000 participants, dressed in festive costumes, gathered for the annual pub crawl. The event spanned from Times Square to the East Village, with crowds chanting and singing in celebration. Special guest Michael Bublé urged attendees to drink responsibly. Despite increased police presence and warnings against open containers, some participants faced tickets for disorderly conduct. While organizers claim that proceeds go to charity, a recent investigation revealed that only a fraction of the funds raised actually reached registered nonprofits.