These countries welcome New Year first; check full list from first to last

New Year is not very far for some countries but for some it's almost half a day far. In India only four to five hours are left before the people welcome 2025. Due to different time zones across the world because of Earth's rotation cycle, December 31 ends and January 1 begins at different times in countries worldwide.  

However, as you read this article New Zealand, and some parts of Australia have already welcomed New Year 2025. They celebrated New Year’s Eve with lightshow and a dazzling display of fireworks. They have already changed their calendars and soon others will enter the new year.  

From small islands to big cities, know when and which country will celebrate new year first on December 31, midnight into January 1, 2025. 

Kiritimati or Christmas Island, a Pacific Ocean island in the Northern Line Islands, will celebrate January 1 at 5 a.m. EST (3:30 p.m. IST). Fifteen minutes after that at 5.15 a.m. EST (3:45 p.m. IST) the Chatham Islands of New Zealand will ring in New Year 2025. They will be followed by New Zealand’s major cities like Auckland and Wellington, who will celebrate the new year at 6 a.m. EST (4:30 p.m. IST). 

Australia 

Before coming to Australia, the new year will be celebrated in Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji. Then Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra in Australia will mark the first moments of the New Year. These celebrations will continue into cities like Adelaide, Broken Hill, and Ceduna, then into Queensland and Northern Australia. 

Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Fiji will all celebrate the New Year at 7:30 p.m. (IST). The festivities will begin at 8 p.m. (IST) on the side of Queensland, Northern Australia.  

Asian lands 

At 10 a.m. EST (8:30 p.m. IST), North Korea, South Korea, and Japan will all join in the New Year festivities when the clock's hour hands turn. Soon, the western region of Australia will do the same, with big towns like Perth setting the pace at 10:15 am IST (8:45 pm IST).  
 
When midnight falls in China, the Philippines, and Singapore, the streets will be a flurry of activity as people celebrate with lanterns, fireworks, and the festive spirit of the new year. 
Bangladesh and Nepal will celebrate after them, followed by Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar. At 12.30 a.m. IST, India will participate in the festivities.  
 
As the Earth rotates from east to west, Pakistan and Afghanistan will follow India. The Earth completes a full spin as it approaches. The deserted islands of Baker and Howland, southwest of Hawaii, will be the last locations on Earth to welcome the new year.  
 
At 5.30 p.m. (IST) on January 1, these islands, which are among the last locations to witness 2025, will commemorate the last moment in the worldwide celebration.