Which country celebrates New Year 2025 first and who’s last? [FOTOS]

The celebration of the New Year begins with the small island nations of the Pacific. Kiribati and Samoa, located in the Line Islands, are the first to welcome 2025, thanks to their position on the International Date Line. As the clock strikes midnight, these islands celebrate with traditional dances, feasts, and dazzling fireworks over their pristine beaches. Meanwhile, the world watches as the New Year’s wave begins its journey across the globe, marking the start of a worldwide celebration.

In contrast, the last to greet 2025 are Baker Island and Howland Island, two uninhabited territories of the United States. These remote locations, lying just west of the International Date Line, will bid farewell to 2024 long after the rest of the world has already embraced the new year. Despite their isolation, these islands serve as a fascinating marker of time’s progression, standing as a reminder of the Earth’s vast geography and time zones.

The journey from the first to the last New Year’s celebration spans over 26 hours, showcasing the diversity of cultures and traditions worldwide. While cities like Sydney and Tokyo shine with their iconic fireworks, places like Hawaii embrace a more laid-back, tropical vibe. This global sequence of celebrations highlights the interconnectedness of humanity, as people everywhere come together to welcome a fresh start filled with hope and possibilities.

Which country celebrates New Year 2025 first and who are last?

With 38 different time zones in use, the New Year takes 26 hours to span all time zones. Find out what order they enter in 2025 and which countries are the first and last to celebrate. Below, you’ll find a chronological list of when different countries around the world reach midnight on New Year’s Eve and enter January 1.

Do all countries celebrate New Years on the same day?

The answer is no. The honor of being the first to welcome the New Year goes to Kiritimati Island, also known as Christmas Island, located in the Republic of Kiribati in the UTC+14 time zone. On the other hand, the last places to celebrate the New Year are Baker Island and Howland Island, uninhabited territories near the United States that are in the UTC-12 time zone.

These time differences mean that while some parts of the world are already celebrating the new year, others are still awaiting the arrival of midnight. This diversity in celebrations reflects the cultural and geographic richness of our planet, making New Year’s a truly global holiday.

SOBRE EL AUTOR

Ronie Bautista

Estudió Ciencias de la Comunicación en la Universidad San Martín de Porres y ejerce el periodismo desde hace 10 años en las ediciones web de varios medios nacionales. Actualmente se desempeña como Analista SEO del Núcleo de Audiencias del Grupo El Comercio.