Photos show how major cities around the world celebrated New Year's Eve and the dawn of 2020
January 1, 2020 marks the beginning of a new year and a new decade.
These photos show how major cities rang in the new year on Wednesday.
Major New Year's celebrations kicked off around the world on Wednesday as a new day dawned in Asia and Oceania.
January 1, 2020 marks not only the beginning of a new year but a new decade as well, adding an extra special significance to the day.
Auckland, New Zealand, was one of the first major cities to count down to midnight, 18 hours ahead of the ball drop in New York City's Times Square.
Check back throughout the day to see how other cities around the world celebrate the beginning of 2020.
Auckland, New Zealand
Fireworks are seen exploding from the Auckland's Waitemata Harbour and Sky Tower during the Auckland New Year's Eve celebrations on January 1, 2020.
Sydney, Australia
New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the fireworks show on January 1, 2020.
Melbourne, Australia
Fireworks explode over the Melbourne central business district during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 1, 2020.
Tokyo, Japan
Hitoshi Yamada/NurPhoto via Getty
Visitors tie fortune slips to wire outside the Sensoji temple on New Year's Eve 2019.
Tokyo, Japan
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images
People visit Kanda Myojin Shrine to offer New Year prayers in Tokyo on January 1, 2020. 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.
Seoul, South Korea
People celebrate after midnight during a countdown event to mark the New Year at the Bosingak pavilion in central Seoul on January 1, 2020.
Seoul, South Korea
A woman hangs a paper note bearing her New Year wishes to a wire at Jogyesa Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday.
Taipei, Taiwan
Fireworks light up the Taiwan skyline during New Year celebrations on January 01, 2020.
Manila, Philippines
Revelers celebrate as they welcome the New Year during a countdown party at a mall on January 1, 2020 in Manila, Philippines.
Beijing, China
NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images
People and performers celebrate during the New Year count down at the Shougang Industrial Park in Beijing, China on January 1, 2020.
Beijing, China
Children celebrate during the new year count down at the Shougang Industrial Park in Beijing, China on January 1, 2020.
Hong Kong
Pro-democracy supporters wave flags and shout slogans during a countdown party in the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Hong Kong on New Year's Eve 2019.
Hong Kong
Tyrone Siu/Reuters
Anti-government protesters tear down Christmas and New Year's decorations during a demonstration on New Year's Eve outside Mong Kok police station in Hong Kong.
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Fireworks illuminate the city's skyline during New Year's Eve celebrations on January 1, 2020 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Singapore
Fireworks light up the sky as Singapore ushers in 2020.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images
People react after having been sprayed with foam as they celebrate the New Year in Kuala Lumpur on January 1, 2020.
Bangkok, Thailand
LADEN ANTONOV/AFP via Getty Images
Fireworks erupt over downtown Bangkok during New Year's celebrations on January 1, 2020. Some 100,000 people gathered to celebrate the beginning of a new decade.
New York City
Getty Images/Gary Hershorn
Thousands took to New York City's Times Square to watch the ball drop.
Paris, France
AFP/Martin Bureau via Getty Images
Parisians took to the Champs Elysees to wait for fireworks.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Ken Jack/Getty Images)
Roughly 70,000 people were expected at Edinburgh's "Hogmanay" — the Scottish word for New Year's Eve — street party.
Kapolei, Hawaii
Associated Press/Caleb Jones
Fireworks burst over the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii.
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