Pacific islands ring in 2025 as New Year’s Eve celebrations begin around the world
THE New Year has kicked off with Kiritimati among the first cities to charge into 2025.
On the Pacific island of Kiribati - also know as Christmas Island - it is 14 hours ahead of the UK.
The first major cities to usher in 2025 will be Auckland in New Zealand and Sydney, Australia, with epic fireworks displays prepared.
Photos show people already gathering outside Sydney Opera House, which hits midnight at 1pm UK time.
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Billions set to bring in the New Year
Billions across the world are getting ready to ring in the New Year - with tens of thousands expected to line the streets of London before Big Ben sounds its gongs.
Yesterday, rehearsals were held for the sound and light show at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
London's City Hall has said it is "monitoring the weather" ahead of the city's New Year's Eve celebrations after some of Edinburgh's Hogmanay festivities were cancelled due to bad weather.
Bizarre NYE traditions, part two – choose your food well
Many countries around the world have interesting traditions including eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight.
This is practiced in Spain and other Hispanic countries to guarantee a lucky year.
Other cultures believe it's good luck to eat something round on New Year's during midnight dinner.
Bizarre NYE traditions, part one – choose your underwear well
Watching New Year's Eve specials and drinking champagne is most commonly associated with NYE traditions, but there are many bizarre practices you may not have tried.
In many Latin American countries wearing a specific color of underwear can predict what your year has in store.
Yellow is believed to bring good luck, red brings love, and white will bring inner peace.
When did Robert Burns write the poem Auld Lang Syne?
The name of the composer of Auld Lang Syne has been lost over time, but it is attributed to Scottish national poet Robert Burns.
Burns first wrote down Auld Lang Syne in 1788, but the poem would not appear in print until 1796, shortly after his death.
Burns sent the poem to the Scots Musical Museum in 1788 – but he told them he didn’t actually compose it himself.
He said it was an ancient song which had never been written down before, only passed on by word of mouth.
Welcome to the Sun's New Year's blog
As countries begin to enter 2025 we'll keep you updated with all the latest developments from the UK and around the world.
Credit: SPLASH
