New Year’s Eve - live: LA and US west coast ring in 2023 as celebrations continue
For many countries around the world this was the first New Year’s Eve without any Covid restrictions since 2019
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Billions of people around the world have been welcoming in 2023 with new year’s celebrations.
Los Angeles, Las Vegas and the west coast of the US greeted the new year with dazzling light shows and fireworks displays.
On the east coast, the ball dropped on New York City’s iconic Times Square as huge crowds counted down the seconds into 2023.
Last night, partygoers in the UK defied wet weather to welcome in 2023 after the Met Office issued yellow warnings for rain in England’s South West and southern Wales, and warnings for ice and snow across the Scottish Highlands.
For many, this is the first New Year’s Eve in three years where parties and festivities are fully free from Covid restrictions.
In London, more than 100,000 people lined the Thames to watch 12,000 fireworks as a moving tribute was paid to the late Queen.
Baker Island will be among the last places to arrive in 2023, at around midday GMT.
Thailand joins the 2023 crew
An extraordinary display of fireworks lit up the sky in Bangkok, Thailand to greet the fresh new year.
Taiwan and Philippines say goodbye to 2022
New Year’s celebrations are in full swing across Taiwan and the Philippines where 2022 is now but a distant memory.
Families celebrated together in Manila while fireworks illuminated the sky in Taipei.
Fireworks dazzle over Victoria Harbour
Fireworks exploded over the Victoria Harbour in China to celebrate 2023.
China welcomes 2023 as Covid levels spike
China welcomes the new year as crowds gather in Beijing to celebrate, despite the spike in Covid-19 cases over the last month.
The country lifted strict Covid restrictions in recent weeks, but throngs of revellers gathered on the streets of the capital to watch fireworks.
Celebrations are being held at the Great Wall in Beijing, while in Shanghai authorities said traffic will be stopped along the waterfront Bund to allow pedestrians to gather on New Year‘s Eve. Shanghai Disneyland will also hold a special fireworks show to welcome 2023.
Crowds pray, release balloons and shine light into the sky in Tokyo and Seoul
In Tokyo, crowds released a flurry of balloons into the night sky as they welcomed the new year.
In Seoul, some lit up their phones while others prayed as they bid farewell to 2022- a year which saw tragedy in the capital just two months ago.
Balinese dancers perform in a parade to bring in the New Year
Here’s a quick look at the parade of dancers that are helping to bring in the New Year in Bali.
Japan and South Korea welcome 2023
Japan and South Korea celebrate the new year as midnight strikes in the countries.
UK New Year’s celebrations look to be impacted by rail strikes
New Year’s Eve celebrations in the UK look like they could be hit by the impact of the rail strikes and the rising cost of living as trade bodies warn that bookings are down.
The Night Time Industries Association said that there is a “huge” concern that train strikes will impact New Year bookings and cause the knock-on effect of job losses in January.
One in three reservations were cancelled in December, UK Hospitality has said.
Paul Kohler, owner of a bar in London’s West End called CellarDoor, told the BBC that New Year bookings were down.
“We are hoping it will be good but people are losing faith in the transport system, they are worried about getting home at night,” he said.
Kiwis bring in 2023
Auckland in New Zealand became the first major city to start welcoming in 2023. Fireworks were launched from the city’s Sky Tower at 11:00 GMT, just an hour after the Pacific island of Kiribati became the first to see in 2023 at 10:00 GMT.
Australians celebrate the New Year
Sydney has marked the start of 2023 with its annual fireworks display. Around 7,000 fireworks lit up Sydney Harbour, the highest number ever used.
In Melbourne, 20 tonnes of fireworks were launched around the city from 30 different rooftops.
Here are some photos from the celebrations in Sydney:
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