Countries around the world have celebrated New Year’s Eve in style following two years of Covid restrictions.
Fireworks and countdowns marked the end of a difficult 2022 in which war returned to Europe and inflation soared into double digits.
The year 2023 kicked off in the atoll nation of Kiribati in the central Pacific, then moved across Russia and New Zealand before heading time zone by time zone, through Asia and Europe and into the Americas.
Raucous crowds cheered and danced in confetti in New York’s Time Square when the clock hit midnight there.
Here is a selection of some of the best New Year’s Eve photos from across the globe.
News York – Thousands packed into Times Square to see the famous midnight ball drop, plus a concert.
London, England
Fireworks light up the London skyline over Big Ben and the London Eye just after midnight in London, England.
Paris, France
Revellers in Paris waited for a special display to be projected on the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, France.
Athens, Greece
Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple at the Acropolis hill during New Year celebrations in Athens, Greece.
Cairo, Egypt
People watch fireworks explode over the Cairo Tower and the Nile River as New Year celebrations begin in Cairo, Egypt.
Zurich, Switzerland
Fireworks illuminate the night sky over Zurich, Switzerland during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Fireworks explode at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, during the New Year’s Eve celebration, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Wuhan, China.
Revellers release balloons to celebrate the New Year on pedestrian street Jianghan Road in Wuhan, China.
Bangkok, Thailand
Fireworks explode in the sky on New Years Eve from the King Taksin Bridge in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand rings in the new year with a fireworks show at ICONSIAM, a mall on Bangkok’s Riverside.
Sydney, Australia
Cameras and phones were in hand and at the ready as the classic waterfall display fell from the Sydney Harbour Bridge fireworks display at midnight.
