from the Pacific Ocean to the Persian Gulf; Which countries will welcome 2026 sooner than Iran?

While much of the world prepares to watch spectacular fireworks at the start of 2026, large parts of the world have ushered in the New Year hours earlier. The world time difference has caused the New Year celebrations to start from the heart of the Pacific Ocean and gradually reach the Middle East and Iran.

Contrary to popular belief, New Zealand is not the first place on earth to celebrate the New Year. Kiritimati island in the country of Kiribati, due to its location in the UTC+14 time zone, about 14 hours ahead of Greenwich, is the first region to step into 2026 at 14:30 Iran time. An hour later, it was New Zealand’s turn. Auckland celebrated the arrival of the New Year at the peak of the Southern Hemisphere’s summer heat with the famous fireworks at the Sky Tower at 15:30 Iran time.

Australia and the city of Sydney, which is always known for the fireworks of the Harbor Bridge, delivered the New Year this year at 17:30 Iran time. Sydney had issued a message of peace by displaying the image of a dove and the word peace on the bridge, and strict security measures had been taken to maintain the peace of the ceremony.

Photographer: Unknown / www.kcpinternational.com

New Year for Japan and Tokyo has been delivered at 18:30 Iran time. This year, there was no noisy countdown at Shibuya Crossing. To prevent overcrowding incidents, authorities have canceled the ceremony to encourage people to follow more peaceful traditions such as attending temples.

As the final hours of the night approach, other countries also enter 2026 in order:

• South Korea: At the same time as Japan, with the echoing of the historic Bosingak bell and K-Pop concerts.
• China and the Philippines: 20:30 Iran time; According to old traditions, Filipinos ward off evil spirits in the New Year by wearing polka-dotted clothes and making noise.
• Thailand: 21:30 Iran time, hosting thousands of tourists on the beaches of Bangkok and Pattaya.

Finally, before the hands of the clocks in our country pair on the number 12 midnight, India will welcome the year 2026 at 22:00 and Pakistan at 22:30 Iran time. These countries are getting ready to hand over the year with fireworks in cities like Karachi and Delhi. At 11:30 p.m. Iran time, the UAE welcomes the new year with the Burj Khalifa’s dazzling fireworks display.