In Photos: New Year 2019 Celebrations Across the World

New year’s eve is being celebrated across the globe. Get the latest photos from grand celebrations at The Quint.

Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour during the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney, on 31 December 2018. 

(Photo: AP)

Revellers around the globe are bidding a weary farewell to an unsettling year filled with challenges to many of the world's most basic institutions, including politics, trade, alliances and religion.

Here's a look at how people are ushering in the new year:

New Year Celebrations in Australia

A thunderstorm drenched tens of thousands of people as they gathered for Sydney's traditional spectacular fireworks display, creating a show of its own with dozens of lightning strikes.

Police estimated that more than a million people would crowd Sydney Harbor to view the glittering fireworks. People began gathering early in the day at popular vantage points, including the Opera House and the ends of the Harbor Bridge.

(Photo: AP)

Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour during the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney, on 31 December 2018.

The show was to feature more than 100,000 pyrotechnic effects accompanied by music culminating at midnight with "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," made famous by Aretha Franklin, who died in August.

New Year Celebrations in New Zealand

In Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city, tens of thousands gathered around Sky Tower as fireworks exploded from the top of the 328-meter (1,076-foot) structure. Across the southern hemisphere nation, thousands took to beaches and streets, becoming among the first in the world to usher in 2019.

Fireworks boomed and crackled above city centers and harbors.

(Photo: ANI)

(Photo: ANI)

(Photo: ANI)

New Year Celebrations in Thailand

Monks cover worshippers lying in coffins at the Takien temple in suburban Bangkok, Thailand on 31 December 2018. Worshippers believe that the coffin ceremony – symbolising death and rebirth – helps them rid themselves of bad luck and are born again for a fresh start in the new year.

(Photo: AP)

(Photo: AP)

(Photo: AP)

(Photo: AP)

(Photo: AP)

(Photo: AP)

New Year Celebrations in US

Joey and Claudia Flores, of California, kiss as confetti falls during a New Year’s celebration in New York’s Times Square on 1 January 2019.  

A reveler celebrates as confetti falls during a New Year’s celebration in New York’s Times Square on 1 January 2019.  

New Year Celebrations in Myanmar

People take selfies during the last sunset of the year in Naypyitaw, Myanmar on 31 December 2018.

(Photo: AP)

(Photo: AP)

New Year Celebrations in China

A reveller prepares to countdown to the new year in Beijing, China on 31 December 2018.  

New Year Celebrations in South Korea

A woman prays in front of a wall of lanterns to celebrate the New Year at the Jogyesa Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea on 31 December 2018.

Buddhist light candles during New Year celebrations at Jogyesa Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea, on 1 January 2019.  

New Year Celebrations in Germany

Fireworks light the sky above the Quadriga at the Brandenburg Gate shortly after midnight in Berlin, Germany on 1 January 2019. Hundred thousands of people celebrated New Year’s Eve welcoming the new year 2019 in Germany’s capital. 

New Year Celebrations in Philippines

Confetti rains down on revellers at the Eastwood Shopping Mall as Filipinos welcome the New Year on 1 January 2019, in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines.  

New Year Celebrations in Lithuania

Fireworks light the sky above illuminated Christmas tree at the Cathedral Square in Vilnius, Lithuania, shortly after midnight during the New Year’s celebrations on 1 January 2019. 

New Year Celebrations in Bosnia

Bosnian people cheer during New Year’s celebrations in Sarajevo, Bosnia on Tuesday, 1 January 2019. 

New Year Celebrations in Brazil

Two men watch the fireworks exploding over Copacabana Beach during the New Year’s celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Tuesday, 1 January 2019. 

A woman watches the fireworks exploding over Copacabana Beach during the New Year’s celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Tuesday, 1 January 2019.  

New Year Celebrations in Russia

People watch fireworks during New Year celebration in downtown St Petersburg, Russia, on Tuesday, 1 January 2019.  

New Year Celebrations in Pakistan

Pakistani Christians attend a midnight service at Sacred Heart Cathedral, ending of the year 2018 in Lahore, Pakistan, on Monday, 31 December 2018. 

New Year Celebrations in Hong Kong

Fireworks explode over the Victoria Harbor during New Year’s Eve to celebrate the start of year 2019 in Hong Kong, on Tuesday, 1 January 2019.

New Year Celebrations in Britain

Fireworks explode over the London Eye during the New Year’s eve celebrations after midnight in London, on Tuesday, 1 January 2019.

New Year Celebrations in Vatican

Pope Francis kisses a statue of Baby Jesus as he celebrates a new year’s eve vespers Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, on Monday, 31 December 2018.