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.
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.
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.
New Year Celebrations in US
New Year Celebrations in Myanmar
People take selfies during the last sunset of the year in Naypyitaw, Myanmar on 31 December 2018.
New Year Celebrations in China
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.
New Year Celebrations in Germany
New Year Celebrations in Philippines
New Year Celebrations in Lithuania
New Year Celebrations in Bosnia
New Year Celebrations in Brazil
New Year Celebrations in Russia
New Year Celebrations in Pakistan
New Year Celebrations in Hong Kong
New Year Celebrations in Britain
New Year Celebrations in Vatican
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)