New Year Celebrations Begin To Welcome 2014

Celebrations are beginning to mark the beginning of 2014, with Auckland in New Zealand ringing in the new year at 11:00 GMT on Tuesday.

As midnight struck in New Zealand a fireworks display erupted over the city as thousands danced in the streets 

Crowds have gathered in Sydney, Australia, in anticipation of the city’s famous firework display.

Fireworks light up the skyline over Sydney Harbour during the 9pm family fireworks session during New Years Eve celebrations

In Japan, Shinto priests gathered at shrines to prepare to usher in the new year.

Other cities globally are also planning big displays, with Dubai attempting a world record for the largest display.

In Sydney hundreds of boats gathered in the harbour as bright firework displays began in the build up to midnight

The display will be streamed live on the internet and organisers say it will stretch over 30 miles (48km) of seafront, with the highest fireworks reaching more than one kilometre in height.

New Zealand is among the first nations to see in the New Year

While celebrations are expected in major Chinese cities, the city of Wuhan called off its display in order to avoid worsening the city’s smog problem. Later on, festivities will be held in European cities including Moscow, Paris and London.

The iconic Opera House and harbour bridge are illuminated as the festivities get underway

Cape Town in South Africa is planning a free concert with lasers, fireworks and a special 3D tribute to former President Nelson Mandela, who died on 5 December.

New York will mark the new year with the traditional New Year’s Eve countdown and ball drop over Times Square, while Rio de Janeiro is once again expecting more than two million people to pack its Copacabana beach.