In pictures: This is how the world welcomed New Year 2018

People around the world welcomed New Year 2018 with fireworks displays, partying and an array of local traditions.

One of the first countries to welcome the new year was Australia, where fireworks exploded over the iconic Sydney Opera House as people watched from boats in the harbor nearby.

Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour during New Year's Eve celebrations in Sydney

Auckland: The fireworks lit up the city as New Zealand celebrated the start of 2018

Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour during New Year's Eve celebrations in Sydney

Hundreds of couples took part in a mass wedding ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia, on New Year’s Eve designed to help the poor who were unable to afford a proper wedding.

Buddhists lit candles during New Year celebrations at Jogyesa temple in Seoul, South Korea.

Buddhists light candles during New Year celebrations at Jogyesa Buddhist temple in Seoul

Buddhists place candles during New Year celebrations at Jogyesa Buddhist temple in Seoul

A woman prays in front of lanterns to celebrate the New Year at Jogyesa Buddhist temple in Seoul

In some other places, the tone was more somber. Just hours after a fireworks display over the Taedong River in Pyongyang, North Korea, leader Kim Jong Un said in a New Year’s Day speech the country had achieved the historic feat of “completing” its nuclear forces despite US opposition.

Some 100 people gathered outside the Reina nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey, to remember victims of a New Year’s mass shooting a year ago. The group, holding carnations, observed a moment of silence for 39 people killed in the attack.

Fireworks explode over the River Thames behind the Elizabeth Tower which contains the bell known as "Big Ben" at the Houses of Parliament in London

Fireworks explode over the River Thames behind the Elizabeth Tower which contains the bell known as "Big Ben" at the Houses of Parliament in London

Fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye in central London during the New Year celebrations

In India, people across metro cities thronged to landmark locations, malls and restaurants to celebrate New Year. Several historical landmarks were lit with bright coloured lights to mark the end of 2017 and to welcome 2018. 

In Scotland, a torchlight procession began Edinburgh’s famed Hogmanay New Year’s Eve celebration.

A woman in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, threw flowers into the water to ask Yemanja, goddess of the sea, for good luck in the new year.

Revelers gathered for the annual ball drop in New York’s Times Square bundled in several layers of clothes to keep warm in frigid temperatures.

Confetti drops over the crowd as the clock strikes midnight during the New Year’s celebration in Times Square

People celebrate New Year as confetti fall down after the countdown to midnight in Times Square

Revelers gather on Times Square in New York on December 31, 2017, as they take part in a New Year's Eve celebration

An LED light show illuminates the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, to celebrate the New Year in Dubai

Fireworks explode above Singapore’s financial district at the stroke of midnight to mark the New Year’s celebrations

A groom kisses his bride during a mass wedding held in celebration of the New Year in Jakarta

Pope Francis prays in front of the nativity scene after celebrating a new year’s eve vespers Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican

Fireworks explode over the Victoria Harbor during New Year’s Eve to celebrate the start of year 2018 in Hong Kong

Fireworks light the sky above the Quadriga at the Brandenburg Gate during New Year’s celebrations shortly after midnight in Berlin

A woman offers flowers to Yemanja, goddess of the sea, for good luck in the coming year during New Year’s Eve festivities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Fireworks light up the sky in Edinburgh in preparation for New Year celebrations