Countries around the worlds begin to welcome 2026, starting with New Zealand • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• New Year Celebrations: Global observations of the transition into 2026.
• Oceania New Year First: The region’s geographical position makes it the first to experience the new year.
• Bondi Beach Remembrance: Commemoration of a terrorist attack in Australia.
• Security Concerns (Shibuya): Ongoing issues impacting New Year’s Eve events in Tokyo.
• Unique Tradition (Croatia): A town celebrating a “New Year Lunch” in December, originating in 2000.

Global New Year’s Celebrations – 2026

The transition into 2026 was marked by diverse celebrations and somber remembrance across the globe, with Oceania leading the way as the first region to enter the new year. New Zealand’s celebrations centered around the Sky Tower in Auckland, a 328-meter-tall structure used as the launch point for 2,500 fireworks illuminating the country’s skies. This signifies a traditional and visually prominent start to the new year for New Zealand.

Australia: Remembrance and New Year

Australia’s New Year’s Eve celebrations were notably marked by a period of remembrance. Crowds gathered to commemorate the Bondi Beach terror attacks, which occurred on December 14th and resulted in the deaths of 15 people. This event cast a shadow over the festivities, highlighting a blend of mourning and hope as the country moved into 2026. The specific date of the attack (December 14th) is crucial context for understanding the tone of the Australian celebrations.

Asian New Year Observances

Asian countries welcomed 2026 with traditional displays of celebration. The video highlights the use of “almighty gongs” in Seoul, South Korea, and Tokyo, Japan, as a customary method of ushering in the new year. However, the Shibuya district in Tokyo faced a significant disruption to its planned New Year’s countdown. This event was cancelled for the sixth consecutive year, citing ongoing security concerns as the primary reason. This repeated cancellation underscores persistent safety challenges in the area during large public gatherings.

Croatia’s Unique “New Year Lunch” Tradition

In contrast to the typical December 31st celebrations, a small town in Croatia observes a unique tradition of celebrating the “New Year Lunch” in December. This tradition, now in its 26th edition, began in 2000 to commemorate the transition from one millennium to another. The event features traditional music, conga dancing, and a particularly daring midday swim. The water temperature at this time of year is approximately 1° C, making the swim a challenging and unconventional way to begin the new year. The origin of the tradition in 2000, tied to the millennium change, provides historical context.

Logical Connections & Synthesis

The video presents a geographically diverse snapshot of New Year’s celebrations, moving from Oceania to Asia and then to Europe. It demonstrates how celebrations can be shaped by both joyous traditions and recent tragic events, as seen in Australia. The contrast between the large-scale fireworks displays in New Zealand and the intimate, locally-focused “New Year Lunch” in Croatia highlights the varied ways cultures mark the passage of time. The recurring security concerns in Shibuya, Japan, point to a broader trend of increased safety measures at public events. Ultimately, the video illustrates the global nature of New Year’s celebrations while acknowledging the unique circumstances and traditions that define each region’s experience.