Ringing in a New Decade: See How New Year’s 2020 Is Celebrated All Over the World

When the clock hit midnight on Jan. 1, 2020, a new decade began. As New Yorkers prepared for the famed ball to drop in Times Square and folks across the U.S. were going about their day Tuesday, other cities worldwide were already ringing in the New Year.

In Australia, revelers celebrated the moment with fireworks by the Sydney Opera House and above Melbourne’s skyline. Many in Seoul saw paper lanterns. Singapore’s luxurious Marina Bay celebrated with fireworks. In Hong Kong, pro-democracy protests continued.

Here, see how different cities around the world marked New Year’s 2020.

New York

New York City’s Times Square reportedly had more than one million people gather to watch the ball drop, where many had been waiting since the early morning to snag a spot. As part of the annual televised event, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, revelers both at home and in person saw performances by Post Malone, BTS and Sam Hunt.

New Orleans

One hour behind New York, New Orleans celebrated the new year at 1 a.m. EST. Billy Porter hosted the New Orleans portion of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast, and performers included Usher and Sheryl Crow.

Las Vegas

The West Coast rang in the decade with fireworks over the Las Vegas Strip at 3 a.m. EST.

Paris

After a year filled with protests, Parisians celebrated 2020 together with a light show at the Champs Elysees, illuminating the Arc de Triomphe. The clock hit midnight at 6 p.m. EST on Tuesday.

London

Londoners celebrated with fireworks surrounding the London Eye at 7 p.m. EST, followed by a parade for New Year’s Day on Wednesday.

Berlin

Berlin’s new year kicked off with fireworks above the Brandenburg Gate at 6 p.m. EST.

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Fireworks shot above the General de Gaulle bridge in Abidjan at 7 p.m. EST.

Sydney, Australia

Sixteen hours ahead of New York, the clock struck midnight and a new decade began in Australia at 8 a.m. EST. Fireworks lit up the sky behind the Sydney Opera House.

Melbourne, Australia

Southwest of Sydney, the city of Melbourne lit up for 2020 at midnight, too.

Tokyo, Japan

The decade began in Japan at 10 a.m. EST The new year is special in Japanese culture as it is considered a time to pray for one’s family.

Seoul, South Korea

Lanterns were lit up in Seoul to mark the new decade at 10 a.m. EST.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protest movement didn’t slow down for New Year’s Eve, where the new year began at 11 a.m. EST.

Singapore

Fireworks at Marina Bay drew huge crowds in Singapore, when the day changed at 11 a.m. EST.

Bangkok, Thailand

12 hours ahead of New York, the new year was counted down in Bangkok outside of a shopping mall at 12 p.m. EST.

Moscow, Russia

Celebratory fireworks went off in Moscow at 4 p.m. EST.

Istanbul, Turkey

The July 15 Martyrs’ Bridge lit up in red and blue as fireworks soared high above for the new year at 4 p.m. EST.

Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan’s capital city celebrated the new year at 11 a.m. EST, 13 hours ahead of New York.