New year celebrations reach all of the Americas after Australasia, Asia, Europe and Africa all mark the start of 2025
Parts of Alaska, all of Hawaii and island nations in the South Pacific will be the last to ring in the new year
In the UK a dazzling fireworks display lit up London after some events elsewhere were cancelled because of bad weather
Syria has seen in its first new year since President Bashar al-Assad was deposed - revellers in Damascus were entertained by fireworks and DJ sets
Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates both put on spectacular displays when the clock struck midnight - you can see the shows here
Watch our top picks of the world's celebrations
Big Ben’s bongs have just sounded and Auld Lang Syne is playing, which can only mean one thing... the UK has entered the new year.
Happy new year from all of us in the London newsroom!
Whether you’re tucked up in bed or out on the town, we hope you’re having a wonderful start to 2025.
Deep breaths guys, it's just 15 short minutes to go until midnight here in the UK.
Soon, the iconic chimes of Big Ben will ring out in central London, before a dazzling fireworks show lights up the River Thames.
Around 100,000 people have tickets for the sold-out event tonight but if you missed it, we've got the next best thing.
We're streaming the whole thing live right here - just click watch live at the top of this page.
Fill up your cups, it'll soon be time to toast!
Here's the moment the German and Italian capitals welcomed the arrival of 2025 at the start of the hour.
Next up... it's the UK's turn in about 20 minutes' time.
Watch: Berlin and Rome celebrate as 2025 begins in Europe
Image source, ReutersSinger Sophie Ellis-Bextor is ringing in the new year with a BBC special today.
The Murder on the Dancefloor singer is hosting a special disco, joined by special guests to welcome 2025.
Filled with what she’s called “special surprises”, there’s a host of performances and it will continue after the midnight fireworks.
You can watch the show on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 23:30 GMT.
Image source, Getty ImagesJools Holland is returning again this year for his big Annual Hootenanny.
It’s a staple for many TV viewers in the UK bringing in the new year.
A host of musical guests will be joining Jools, including his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Kathy Sledge, Roger Taylor, JADE, Jungle, CMAT, Paul Carrack, Marc Almond and The Boomtown Rats.
It’ll kick off soon at 23:30 GMT, to bring in the New Year - follow it live on BBC Two or BBC iPlayer.
It's now after midnight in several western European cities, including Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and Madrid.
Have a look at the latest pictures we've seen from some of the colourful celebrations taking place around the continent tonight.
Image source, EPAThere has been a colourful light display for children at Museumplein square in Amsterdam
Image source, Getty ImagesThousands of people have gathered in Paris at the Avenue des Champs-Élysées
Image source, ReutersSpain has just entered 2025 and here are some of the lights in Ronda
Image source, Getty ImagesA large crowd of people has been gathering in Vatican City to see the Pope as the new year arrives
In Kenya's capital, Nairobi, the arrival of 2025 was marked a little while ago with fireworks lighting up the sky.
You can see some of these celebrations from Africa in this short clip:
Watch: Fireworks light up the sky in Nairobi, Kenya
It's been less than one month since Syria's ruler President Bashar al-Assad was toppled by rebel forces after a 13-year bloody civil war.
The first New Year's Eve since the end of his regime was marked in Damascus with a big party.
Pictures from the Syrian capital show heavily armed rebels guarding the festivities, which include a DJ and fireworks. The mood appears jubilant, to say the least.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Getty ImagesIn his first new year's speech as UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer says 2024 has been a "year of change".
He paid homage to the sporting moment that was agonising for some, when England lost the Euro 2024 final to Spain, before getting more serious.
Looking ahead, Starmer tells citizens: "I want to be clear: until you can look forward and believe in the promise and the prosperity of Britain again, then this government will fight for you.
"A fight for change that will define this year, next year and, indeed, every waking hour of this government."
Referencing the government's plans to build new homes, create a new energy system, cut NHS waiting lists and reduce immigration, he says "that is what we will be focusing on. A year of rebuilding, but also rediscovering the great nation that we are.
"Here's to a year of changing Britain for the better."
Image source, ReutersMany world leaders have been looking back on 2024 and looking ahead to the coming year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin used his new year message to tell his country "we are confident that everything will be fine, we will only move forward". He also paid tribute to soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky celebrated those who have been fighting for the country's independence and looked forward to 2025.
"Ukraine stands firmly on its feet, does not bow its head, looks ahead and believes in its future and victory," he told the country in an address. "I thank you for 2024. Our people who endure all difficulties with dignity People for whom being citizens of Ukraine is a source of pride."
Xi Jinping, China's president, said the economy was "overall stable and progressing” and they will overcome new challenges with "hard work".
In France, President Emmanuel Macron said his decision to dissolve the French National Assembly "brought more instability to the Assembly than solutions for the French".
Macron's said he'll try to break the country's political deadlock by turning to French voters, implying that referendums are likely to be held.
He also spoke of security, referencing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, attacks in Europe, the events in Syria and elections in Georgia.
Image source, ReutersEmmanuel Macron's televised address to the French people included references to the country's political situation
It's just turned midnight in our eleventh time zone of the day - with eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa seeing in 2025.
Greece, Ukraine, South Africa and Egypt are kicking off their new year celebrations.
It's the third new year in Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. Earlier, Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky told citizens he wished them "strength, unity, and inspiration in the coming year. Happy New Year of life and freedom - Happy Our Year!"
Also welcoming 2025 are Sudan, Libya, Israel, Lebanon, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland.
As new year events in cities draw huge crowds across the world, many have a heightened police presence to keep people safe during the celebrations:
Image source, EPAIn central Milan, police take to the streets ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations
Image source, EPAPolice forces prepare for deployment after imposing precautionary security measures for new year celebrations in Rabat, Morocco
Image source, ReutersThousands of people will descend on New York's Times Square tonight for the famous ball drop, requiring extra policing
Image source, EPAIn Red Square, Moscow, Russian police conducted patrols ahead of midnight
Andrew Rogers
BBC Newsbeat
Cassie will be spending New Year's Eve on World of Warcraft
Gamers around the world are also getting ready to welcome in the new year with a twist – opting for virtual fireworks over the real thing.
"It's a good way to start the year, because as much as people use games to escape, it's also a connection to other people,” says streamer Cassie, who's celebrating today on World of Warcraft.
She’s passed previous years with fellow gamers Elder Scrolls Online and Animal Crossing.
The games often feature decorations and fireworks while Fortnite’s millions of players have previously seen a disco ball descend from the sky.
Celebrities have been getting in on the action too, with Paris Hilton hosting a 2022 party in Roblox - reportedly including an exclusive DJ set.
"I'm not the type of person who goes out clubbing or partying," says Johan, who’ll be playing Just Dance in Malaysia as midnight strikes.
"I'm pretty sure there are other people who might feel the same but who might want some company."
Lyse Doucet
Chief international correspondent
My new year’s resolution as a correspondent is to try to find the positive, the hopeful, the good news.
Our research tells us that people turn away from unrelenting doom and gloom, that they want to feel there is light in the dark, that they have agency in being able to do something about what can seem like huge problems that are distant in every way.
I do look for the hope. It’s almost always there.
But in a growing number of places it is getting a lot harder.
So I suppose my new year’s resolution is to keep doing the stories which hold leaders to account; to keep their own promises to work for peace, not war; to promote their nation’s prosperity not personal gain; to pursue a vision for their country, not victory at any cost.
Image source, EPADubai went all in for it's display from the world's tallest building - the Burj Khalifa
The island nation of Kiribati in Oceania earlier became the first country in the world to have entered the new year, at 10:00 GMT.
Since then, it's been non-stop.
We've seen dramatic fireworks displays and large crowds celebrating. In Australia, nine tonnes of fireworks was let off at midnight over Sydney's harbour.
Asia followed suit, with dazzling displays in Taiwan and Thailand, to name a couple. Japan and South Korea both held bell-ringing ceremonies to mark the occasion.
In very Dubai-like fashion, the city launched 15,600 pyrotechnic elements from the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
Of course, there's plenty more to come. It won't be 2025 for everyone until it hits midday GMT on 1 January, and we're bringing you all of those clock chimes every hour.
Stay with us, and click Watch live at the top of this page to see some of the stunning displays.
The new year has now made it to Madagascar, off the east coast of Africa. The celebrations include dancing, music, lantern displays and performances.
Also welcoming the new year are Ethiopia, Syria, Belarus and more of Russia, including Moscow. It's Syria's first new year after being ruled by the Assad family for five decades. On a live video stream we're watching, Syrians are dancing away to blaring music and lights.
I'm sure there's some happy people tapping their happy feet at Japan's Antarctic research station on East Ongul Island in Queen Maud Land which has also just passed midnight. We're not sure what the penguins are doing to celebrate.
As you can see from this video, two of the United Arab Emirates' cities are locked in a very competitive battle to see which can put on the most spectacular show for New Year's Eve.
Judge for yourself who won by watching these edited highlights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
United Arab Emirates: Spectacular fireworks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
We’re now steadily approaching the Asia-Europe border, and it’s Iran’s turn to welcome 2025.
And with 11 time zones spanning the length of its territory, more than half of Russia has already said goodbye to 2024 - with capital Moscow due to join next.
Turkey and Kenya will follow in 30 minutes.
Image source, Getty Images/Fadel SennaLight displays beam off the world's tallest building - the Burj Khalifa - at midnight
Image source, Getty Images/Fadel SennaRevellers don shiny hats to watch the water show at the Dubai fountain
Image source, REUTERS/Amr AlfikyA winding display of fireworks bursts off of the Burj Khalifa as the United Arab Emirates' city puts on a spectacular show
Image source, REUTERS/Amr AlfikyThe UAE wishes the world a happy new year from Dubai
It's a happy new year to the UAE, Armenia and Azerbaijan now, where the clocks strike midnight simultaneously.
You can watch the fireworks and light show in Dubai by clicking watch live at the top of this page.
And we don't have photos of this yet, but an interesting fact from Armenia where pomegranates - not grapes, like in Spain - are central to the annual tradition.
Priests of the Armenian Church bless the fruit as the clock brings in the new year.
Its many seeds are said to symbolise unity, prosperity and the prophets' words, according to the Diocese of the Armenian Church in the UK and Ireland.