As the final hours of 2023 tick away, the world prepares for a staggered wave of celebration. From the first moments in the Pacific to the last in the Americas, the stroke of midnight will circle the globe. For those in the UK planning to toast international friends or simply curious about the global sequence, here is the definitive guide to when the new year begins in key nations.
First to Celebrate: The Pacific Leads the Way
The honour of being the first to welcome 2024 goes to the island nation of Kiribati. Its Line Islands will celebrate at 10:00 GMT on the 31st of December. They are closely followed by New Zealand at 11:00 GMT and the populous east coast of Australia, including Sydney, at 13:00 GMT.
Asia and Europe: An Evening of Festivities
As the day progresses, the celebrations sweep across Asia. North Korea, South Korea, and Japan all mark the new year at 15:00 GMT. Shortly after, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China join in at 16:00 GMT, with Thailand following at 17:00 GMT.
India and Sri Lanka have a unique offset, celebrating at 18:30 GMT. The festivities then move into Eastern Europe, with Moscow, Russia ringing in 2024 at 21:00 GMT and Ukraine at 22:00 GMT.
The Heart of Europe and the UK's Moment
Major European nations including Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, and Italy will all celebrate midnight simultaneously at 23:00 GMT. This sets the stage for the turn of the year in the United Kingdom, which alongside Ghana and Portugal, will see fireworks light up the sky at precisely 00:00 GMT.
The Americas: Bringing Up the Rear
While much of the world is already in 2024, the Americas are still counting down. Brazil and Argentina in South America will celebrate at 03:00 GMT on New Year's Day. Finally, the east coast of the United States, encompassing cities like New York and Washington D.C., will welcome 2024 at 05:00 GMT.
This global timetable highlights not just the time zones that separate us, but the shared human tradition of hope and renewal that connects every nation as the calendar resets.
