As the world prepared to welcome 2026, Wednesday 31st December 2025 presented a tapestry of human experience, captured in striking images by leading photojournalists. From sporting highs in Germany to solemn remembrance in Australia and ancient traditions in Romania, the final day of the year told a story of celebration, reflection, and resilience.
Sporting Spectacles and Solemn Tributes
In Partenkirchen, Germany, the focus was on the Four Hills ski jumping tournament, where Japan's Yukiya Sato was captured in mid-air action, a moment of frozen athletic grace. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a more sombre scene unfolded. In Sydney, Australia, crowds gathered for the New Year's Eve fireworks display at Bondi Beach paused for a minute's silence. Attendees shone their phone torches in a moving tribute to reflect on the Bondi Beach massacre, a poignant act of collective memory before the celebrations began.
Ancient Traditions and Cultural Expressions
In Comănești, Romania, a unique and centuries-old tradition marked the turn of the year. Dancers participated in the Bear Festival (Festivalul Ursilor), a Moldavian practice where performers wear heavy bear skins and perform drum-led rituals. Originally involving live bears, the custom now symbolises renewal, good fortune, and the warding off of evil spirits around Christmas and New Year. Elsewhere, in Denpasar, Bali, dancers performed vibrantly in a New Year's Eve parade, while in Phnom Penh, Cambodian students practised the graceful, intricate gestures of classical Khmer dance at the Secondary School of Fine Arts.
Scenes from the UK and Beyond
Across the United Kingdom, diverse activities painted a picture of British New Year's Eve. In South Shields, a stunning sunrise illuminated the Groyne lighthouse, as revellers were advised to wear extra layers for chilly forecasted temperatures. In Knutsford, a group of wild swimmers took an early-morning dip in Pickmere Lake to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The tranquil dawn in West Yorkshire featured a solitary horse in Oxenhope, captured at first light.
The day's imagery also encompassed global news events and landscapes. In Dhaka, Bangladesh, thousands gathered for funeral prayers for former prime minister Khaleda Zia. A tragic head-on collision between two trains servicing Machu Picchu in Peru resulted in one death and at least 40 injuries. From the ecological bridge in Trabzon, Turkey, designed for sustainable transport, to the icy lighthouse in St Joseph, Michigan, and the serene view of Hong Kong's Tian Tan Buddha, the photographs offered a comprehensive visual record of 31st December 2025.
