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New Year's Eve in pictures: World celebrates arrival of 2023

Australia welcomes 2023 with Sydney harbour fireworks display

The world has welcomed in 2023 with firework displays, concerts and parties.

The Pacific nation of Kiribati was the first to see in the new year, while the US state of Hawaii was among the last to mark the beginning of 2023.

Here are some of the best images from celebrations across the globe.

Confetti flies around the countdown clock in Times Square as New York welcomes 2023

Reuters Confetti flies around the countdown clock covering people who've gathered in Times Square in New York to welcome in 2023 — Confetti flies around the countdown clock in Times Square as New York welcomes 2023

A person wears 2023 glasses during the Times Square celebrations

Reuters A person wears 2023 glasses during New Year celebrations in Times Square during the first New Year's Eve event without restrictions since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, — A person wears 2023 glasses during the Times Square celebrations

London's fireworks display was watched by a crowd of 100,000 from the banks of the River Thames

Fireworks explode in the sky as Big Ben strikes midnight in London — London's fireworks display was watched by a crowd of 100,000 from the banks of the River Thames

In Paris, a light and fireworks show was displayed on the Arc de Triomphe as revellers gathered on the Champs-Elysees

EPA A light and fireworks show displayed on the Arc de Triomphe as revellers celebrate the new year 2023 on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, France, 01 January 2023. — In Paris, a light and fireworks show was displayed on the Arc de Triomphe as revellers gathered on the Champs-Elysees

Hundreds of people gathered for the traditional New Year's Eve chimes to welcome in 2023, in Madrid, Spain

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Hundreds of people gather at midnight during the traditional New Year's Eve Chimes on the last day of 2022 and to welcome in 2023, in Madrid, Spain, 31 December 2022 — Hundreds of people gathered for the traditional New Year's Eve chimes to welcome in 2023, in Madrid, Spain

A woman eats grapes in Madrid, which is also a new year tradition in Spain

Getty Images A woman after the New Year's Eve Chimes 2022, at Puerta del Sol, on January 1, 2023, in Madrid, Spain. — A woman eats grapes in Madrid, which is also a new year tradition in Spain

Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill in Athens, Greece

Reuters Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill during New Year's Day celebrations, in Athens, Greece — Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill in Athens, Greece

Residents of Warsaw and tourists welcome in the new year at Zamkowy Square in Poland

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Residents of the capital and tourists celebrate the arrival of the New Year at Zamkowy Square in Warsaw, Poland — Residents of Warsaw and tourists welcome in the new year at Zamkowy Square in Poland

Colourful fireworks fill the sky near the Opera House in Oslo

Reuters Fireworks near the Opera House in Oslo on New Years Eve — Colourful fireworks fill the sky near the Opera House in Oslo

In the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, a family gathers next to a Christmas tree to celebrate the new year before a curfew, amid Russia's attacks on the country

Reuters People gathered next to a Christmas tree to celebrate the New Year eve before a curfew, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in front of the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine — In the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, a family gathers next to a Christmas tree to celebrate the new year before a curfew, amid Russia's attacks on the country

In Bangkok, Thailand, fireworks explode over Wat Arun Buddhist temple

Reuters Fireworks explode over Wat Arun of the temple of dawn during the New Year celebrations, in Bangkok, Thailand, January 1, 2023. — In Bangkok, Thailand, fireworks explode over Wat Arun Buddhist temple

In Dubai, Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world - was the focus of United Arab Emirates's celebrations

Reuters Fireworks explode from the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, during the celebrations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates — In Dubai, Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world - was the focus of United Arab Emirates's celebrations

People in Wuhan, China, release balloons as they gather to celebrate amid a rise of Covid-19 cases in the country

Reuters People in Wuhan, China, release balloons as they gather to celebrate amid a rise of Covid-19 cases in the country — People in Wuhan, China, release balloons as they gather to celebrate amid a rise of Covid-19 cases in the country

Sydney's fireworks launched from its Harbour Bridge, Opera House and barges in its famous harbour

BIANCA DE MARCHI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Fireworks in Sydney — Sydney's fireworks launched from its Harbour Bridge, Opera House and barges in its famous harbour

A man and a child celebrate together in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Reuters A man celebrates New Year's Eve with a kid in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia January 1, 2023. — A man and a child celebrate together in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

An estimated two million people watched the fireworks fill the sky over Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro

Reuters Fireworks fill the sky over Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro — An estimated two million people watched the fireworks fill the sky over Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro

People in Acapulco, Mexico, have also been celebrating with fireworks which illuminated the night sky during new year celebrations

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Fireworks illuminate the night sky over Balneario resort city during New Year's celebrations in Acapulco, Mexico — People in Acapulco, Mexico, have also been celebrating with fireworks which illuminated the night sky during new year celebrations

Joyful faces in Quezon City, near to Manila in the Philippines, as people record the turn of the year

Reuters Revellers celebrate during a New Year's Eve party in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, — Joyful faces in Quezon City, near to Manila in the Philippines, as people record the turn of the year

People gather to celebrate the clocks turning midnight in Seoul, South Korea

Reuters People gather to celebrate the clocks turning midnight in Seoul, South Korea — People gather to celebrate the clocks turning midnight in Seoul, South Korea

Revellers release balloons as they take part in celebrations in Tokyo, Japan

Reuters Revellers release balloons as they take part in New Year celebrations in Tokyo, Japan — Revellers release balloons as they take part in celebrations in Tokyo, Japan

Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to celebrate in Hong Kong

Reuters Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to celebrate the New Year in Hong Kong — Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to celebrate in Hong Kong

In Taiwan, fireworks light up the skyline from the Taipei 101 building

Getty Images People celebrate new year in Taipei, in Taiwan, as fireworks light up the skyline from the Taipei 101 building — In Taiwan, fireworks light up the skyline from the Taipei 101 building

Sydney welcomes in 2023 with fireworks display

New year celebrations around the world as UK rings in 2023

New Year Honours for Brian May and Lionesses