Cities across the globe are welcoming 2023 with large crowds gathering for fireworks and light displays
In London, Big Ben fired the starting gun for a spectacular display that included a tribute to the late Queen
In Edinburgh, huge crowds filled the streets for the city's world famous Hogmanay party - back for the first time in three years
11 hours earlier, Sydney put on a spectacular display as ever, with fireworks launched from its Harbour Bridge and Opera House
Revellers in China made the most of recently lifted Covid restrictions and were able to gather in large crowds
Russia and Ukraine have marked the start of 2023 - Putin by raising a glass surrounded by soldiers, and Zelensky by thanking Ukrainians for the war effort
The traditional Times Square event in New York returned after two years of reduced festivities, ringing in the new year to the sound of Frank Sinatra
Skylines around the world have been lit up by fireworks and bright lights as the new year swept west around the globe.
There are still many more places waiting to celebrate - but here are some of the top moments so far.
During this brief lull in the fireworks around the world, it's worth re-visiting the celebrations a few hours ago in China.
People gathered in large crowds, making the most of recently-lifted Covid restrictions after years of strict rules.
It comes after riots and protests in various areas over the continued restrictions - until recently China had followed a zero-Covid policy, in contrast to much of the rest of the world.
Some were reportedly angry to see the crowds at the football world cup in Qatar, while they faced continued restrictions at home.
But police in the city of Wuhan, where the pandemic began, tried to disperse the crowds of tens of thousands of people who gathered.
Image source, ReutersPeople carry balloons in Wuhan
Image source, ReutersPolice in Wuhan
Image source, Getty ImagesCrowds gather in Wuhan
Image source, Getty ImagesCrowds in Guiyang, Guizhou province
Image source, Getty ImagesRevellers in Nanning, in China's southern Guangxi region
It's been a busy night so far, and more than half the globe is now in 2023.
There's still some time to wait before the New Year reaches South America, beginning with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile.
In the meantime, here's a few of our favourite pictures from around the world which we haven't had the chance to bring you yet.
Image source, Getty ImagesArmenian citizens, the largest religious minority in Tehran, attend the new year gathering at Saint Sarkis Cathedral
Image source, Getty ImagesTwo people share a New Year kiss at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
Image source, Getty ImagesFireworks in Pristina, Kosovo
Image source, Getty ImagesA woman eats grapes in Madrid, a new year tradition in Spain.
Image source, Getty ImagesRevellers wear Santa hats beneath Milan's cathedral
Image source, Getty ImagesThe first sunrise of the year in Seoul
Image source, Getty ImagesNew year mass in Nairobi
Image source, Getty ImagesThe sun rises over Tokyo
Image source, PA MediaWe'll be moving away from UK celebrations shortly and focusing on the next batch of countries to be ringing in 2023 - including Brazil and Chile.
But before we do, spare a thought for people in Scarborough in North Yorkshire who missed out on a fireworks display this year.
The seaside town cancelled its display after an Arctic walrus turned up in the harbour. The giant mammal is believed to be the walrus "Thor" - who was spotted on the Hampshire coastline earlier this month.
Scarborough Borough Council cancelled the town's display on the advice of British Divers Marine Life Rescue after the organisation expressed concerns that it could distress the mammal.
Image source, EPALondon's sold-out show highlighted the Lionesses' history-making Euro win, marked 50 years of London's Pride, and sent a message of support to Ukraine.
The display also paid tribute to the late Queen, featuring a voice recording from her and words from Dame Judi Dench, before playing a message from King Charles about the need to preserve our planet's future.
Image source, EPAThe London Eye was lit up in blue and yellow - the colours of Ukraine's flag
Image source, ReutersThe colours of the rainbow flag lit up the Thames
The crowds congregated along the Thames Embankment - they are now working their way home.
Image source, PA MediaSome more pictures from Edinburgh, where some 40,000 gathered for the Hogmanay street party.
Image source, PA MediaFireworks over Edinburgh castle
Image source, PA MediaRevellers on Calton Hill light sparklers
Image source, PA MediaThe sky lights up over the city
Image source, ReutersPeople celebrate despite the rain
London has welcomed in the new year with a 12-minute firework display set to music - which the city's mayor Sadiq Khan said was the biggest in Europe.
This was the first time people gathered in the capital for new year since the Covid pandemic.
Here are some of the best pictures we've got so far.
Image source, PA Media
London's new year fireworks display has paid tribute to the late Queen, who died in September.
Symbols of the monarchy were included in the celebrations including a light display of the crown and the late monarch's portrait on a coin.
The display then transformed into the portrait of King Charles.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
The fireworks display in London has started and we'll be bringing you the best pictures from the capital.
More than 100,000 people are out in London for the display which has been set to music.
Big Ben chimed and a count down was projected within the London Eye in the lead up to midnight.
Some 40,000 people have gathered here for the first Hogmanay street party in three years due to the pandemic.
The fireworks were heralded by the bagpipes
Image source, ReutersA poignant moment in Edinburgh, as the world-famous Hogmanay street party returns for the first time in three years.
A reduced celebration was planned at the end of 2021, but then cancelled at the last minute as the Omicron variant of Covid swept through the country.
This year 30,000 people have gathered on the city's Princes Street, with a further 10,000 in the gardens below.
The street party and associated events had their critics before the pandemic, with some saying they had become too commercialised and were a negative influence. But there's no denying that the party is a huge deal for the city, and its return is a major step back towards a pre-pandemic "normal".
It's midnight here in the UK, and champagne corks and fireworks are going off all over the place!
We'll bring you the best pictures here shortly - in the meantime, click on the play button above to watch the BBC's coverage from London and Edinburgh.
The UK is busily preparing as midnight approaches.
While the fireworks go off in London, the final countries in Europe and Africa will also see the New Year.
The bells will toll in Ireland, Iceland and Portugal, as well as Mali, Sierra Leone and Ghana.
Kenya, Uganda and Egypt are now a couple of hours into 2023 - here are some of the best shots we've seen so far.
Image source, Getty ImagesFireworks are reflected in the Nile in Cairo, Egypt
Image source, Getty ImagesIn Nairobi, fireworks were launched from the Old Mutual Tower
Image source, PA MediaThe clock's edging towards midnight here in the UK, and revellers in London haven't been able to escape the rain either.
But the crowds are poised, and the London Eye is lit up ahead of the display which will begin in 40 minutes or so.
Image source, PA MediaIn Edinburgh, thousands are braving the elements ahead of the Hogmanay celebrations.
Umbrellas, ponchos and raincoats are out in full force after downpours in the capital.
Heavy rain and flooding in previous days has caused disruption for many trying to make their way to the event.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA MediaHappy New Year to most of mainland Europe!
Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Rome have all welcomed 2023.
Image source, ReutersFireworks explode behind the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
Image source, EPANew year chimes in Madrid
Image source, ReutThe Arc de Triomphe in Paris
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Acropolis in Athens is illuminated by fireworks
Image source, ReutersPeople gather on the Champs Elysees in Paris
New Year celebrations are soon heading to most of mainland Europe.
Capitals from Warsaw and Stockholm in the east, to Brussels, Paris and Madrid in the west are preparing for midnight.
Several countries in central Africa are also getting ready - from Angola, Nigeria and Chad to Morocco.
We'll bring you all the best pictures as they come.