In pictures: New Year's Eve 2018

From the streets of Beirut to the harbour of Sydney, people from all corners of the globe gathered to usher in 2018 and bid good bye to 2017.

Fireworks light the sky over the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees Avenue in Paris as revellers take part in New Year celebrations, early January 1, 2018
Reuters

Fireworks light the sky over the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees Avenue in Paris as revellers take part in New Year celebrations, early January 1, 2018

Hordes of revellers came out on the streets, braving bitter cold and undeterred by the unprecedented security operations to bid farewell to 2017 and welcome 2018. Here are the highlights of the night from around the globe.  

1. Beijing, China

AP

Beijing rang in the New Year after Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech, promising that by 2020 all rural workers will be lifted out of poverty.

2. New York, USA 

Reuters

New Yorkers have been told to wear warm clothes and avoid alcohol as they flock to Times Square, which is due to hit a frosty -11 degrees celsius on the New Year's Eve.

3. Dubai, UAE

AP

Dubai hosted one of the largest light and sound shows on a single building as thousands gathered around Burj Khalifa for the emirate’s first New Year’s Eve laser show.

4. London, United Kingdom 

Reuters

At least 100,000 people watched London's midnight firework show from the banks of the River Thames.

5. Istanbul, Turkey

AFP

People gather to celebrate New Years in Istanbul, Turkey, a year after a gunman killed 39 people in Reina night club.

6. Seoul, South Korea

AP

Buddhists light candles during New Year celebrations at Jogye Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea.

7. Baghdad, Iraq

AP

Young Iraqis broke into dance in Baghdad as the clock struck midnight on the New Year's Eve.

8. Moscow, Russia 

AP

Fireworks illuminated the sky over the Bolshoy Kamenny bridge next to Red square and Kremlin Palace during the New Year's celebrations in Moscow.

9. Beirut, Lebanon

AP

Artists, singers, DJs, an optical illusion and a firework show marked the New Year's Eve celebrations in downtown Beirut.

10. Sydney, Australia 

AP

The firework set went off with a bang during Sydney’s New Year Eve celebrations after midnight as Hollywood heart-throb Hugh Jackman added star power with his own 20-second firework show tuned to the music of Gurrumul Yunupingu, one of Australia's legendary musicians.

11. Mumbai, India

AFP

Indians take pictures in front of the lit up Chattrapathi Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station ahead of New Year's eve celebrations in Mumbai.

12. Athens, Greece 

AP

Fireworks explode over the 2,500-year-old ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill during New Year's day celebrations in Athens

13. Berlin, Germany

AFP

Fireworks explode behind the quadriga of Berlin's landmark the Brandenburg Gate to usher in the New Year.

14. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Reuters

People watch as fireworks explode over Copacabana beach during New Year celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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