World celebrates the arrival of 2023 with spectacular fireworks and light displays

31 December 2022, 18:03 | Updated: 31 December 2022, 23:24

Cities around the world have begun welcoming the start of 2023.

Auckland in New Zealand became the first major city to begin celebrating with fireworks launched from the city’s Sky Tower.

Sydney also rang in the new year at 11am GMT, with fireworks launched from the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and barges in its famous harbour.

In London later tonight, 100,000 people will watch fireworks on the banks of the Thames, with the chimes of Big Ben at the stroke of midnight.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "The celebrations are one of the biggest nights of the year for our capital's hospitality industry and an unforgettable moment when the eyes of the world turn to our city. This year will be the best ever!”

Hong Kong also saw in 2023 with a spectacular music and light show along with other cities in Asia including Bangkok, Hanoi and Jakarta.

Edinburgh is preparing to celebrate the first Hogmanay in three years.

Thirty thousand people are expected to bring in the new year on Princes Street with a further ten thousand in the garden below. The Pet Shop Boys will perform to a huge crowd of revellers.

London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks celebrations opened again to the public for the first time this year.

More than 100,000 ticket holders will watch the display on the banks of the River Thames.

Sadiq Khan told LBC: “The reason the fireworks tonight is so important is to bring people back, to unify our city and to show London in a positive way to help our hotels, our bars, our restaurants.

“We need to make sure our city bounces back more green, more fair, more prosperous.”