When will the clocks strike midnight around the world?published at 09:28 GMT
09:28 GMT
We’ve just started our live coverage from the London newsroom, and 2026 still feels a little way off for us.
But in some parts of the world, celebrations are already in full swing as partygoers count down the final hours – or in some cases, minutes – until the new year.
The first nation to officially enter 2026 will be the Pacific islands of Kiribati. Midnight local time for the country’s eastern Kiritimati atoll – also known as Christmas Island – falls at 10:00 GMT.
Shortly after, the clocks will chime in New Zealand, where midnight local time is 11:00 GMT. For most of Australia’s east coast, it will be 13:00 GMT.
Japan and South Korea will welcome the new year at 15:00 GMT, where bells are often rung to bring in the New Year. An hour later, it will be the turn of Hong Kong, Singapore and others.
Most of Europe brings in the New Year before the UK does. Countries such as Germany, France and Italy will have their new year at 23:00 GMT.
But that doesn’t mean we’re without company here in London. Most of Portugal, Ghana and Iceland also celebrate at 00:00 GMT, to name just a few.
And after us, it’s the turn of the Americas – Rio de Janeiro in Brazil at 03:00 GMT, the US east coast at 05:00 GMT, and the US west coast at 08:00 GMT.
Last but not least is Baker Island, at 12:00 GMT tomorrow.