As we await the ball to drop in Times Square to bring in the New Year in the eastern United States, countries around the world have already celebrated the start to 2019.
One of the first countries to welcome the New Year is Samoa. Some of the U.S. territories in the Pacific, including Midway Island, are among the last places where the clock will strike midnight.
The fireworks have already gone off in places like Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Bangkok.
Here are some photos from New Year’s celebrations across the globe.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is bathed in fireworks and lighting effects during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 1, 2019 in Sydney, Australia.James D. Morgan—Getty ImagesFireworks are seen exploding from the Sky Tower with the Auckland Harbour Bridge in the foreground during the Auckland New Year's Eve celebrations on January 01, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand.Phil Walter—Getty Images for ATEEDFireworks are seen exploding from the Sky Tower with the Auckland Harbour Bridge in the foreground during the Auckland New Year's Eve celebrations on January 01, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand.Phil Walter—Getty Images for ATEEDPeople visit Kanda Myojin Shrine to offer New Year prayers in Tokyo on January 1, 2019. Millions of Japanese people will visit shrines and temples across the country during the first three days of the new year to pray for the well-being of their families.KAZUHIRO NOGI—AFP/Getty ImagesFireworks light up the sky as Singapore ushers in the New Year at Marina Bay on January 1, 2019 in Singapore.Suhaimi Abdullah—Getty Images
