With flashy fireworks and subdued celebrations, some wearing masks to protect themselves from the coronavirus and others wearing bright glasses, the world has slipped from 2021 to 2022.
A couple kiss as people celebrate the arrival of the New Year at the famous Shibuya Crossing Junction, a popular place for the New Years Eve gathering, on Saturday January 1, 2022, in Tokyo, though the official countdown event has been canceled.
AP Photo / Kiichiro Sato
Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge as New Year’s celebrations begin in Sydney on Friday, December 31, 2021.
Dean Lewins / AAP Image via AP
People celebrate at a New Years concert in Hong Kong on Saturday January 1, 2022.
AP Photo / Vincent Yu
2022 is shown on the big screen during a New Years concert in Hong Kong on Saturday, January 1, 2022.
AP Photo / Vincent Yu
A Palestinian woman takes photos of her children near the beach on the last day of the year and New Year’s Eve celebrations in Gaza City on Friday, December 31, 2021.
AP Photo / Adel Hana
A participant in an event that coincided with New Year’s Eve smiles as fake snow from a foam machine is blown over his head in Beijing, China on Friday, December 31, 2021.
AP Photo / Ng Han Guan
Indians, wearing face masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, hold the cutouts to welcome 2022 on New Years Eve in Ahmedabad, India on Friday, December 31, 2021.
AP Photo / Ajit Solanki
Students hold candles while participating in an event to say goodbye to the year 2021 and welcome in 2022, in Lahore, Pakistan on Friday, December 31, 2021.
AP Photo / KM Chaudary
Crowds of people celebrate New Years Eve at the Christmas tree and holiday market with Saint Sophia Cathedral in the background, in Kiev, Ukraine on Friday, December 31, 2021. Despite COVID quarantine restrictions -19, many Ukrainians enjoy New Year’s events in the open air, often ignoring protective measures.
AP Photo / Efrem Lukatsky
People fire flares as they celebrate the New Year in Cairo, Egypt on Friday, December 31, 2021.
AP Photo / Amr Nabil
Ukrainian soldier rests near a fighting position on the separation line of pro-Russian rebels, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Friday, December 31, 2021. President Joe Biden warned Russian Vladimir Putin that the United States may impose new sanctions on Russia if it takes further military action against Ukraine.
AP Photo / Andriy Dubchak
People pose with Christmas decorations and the shape 2022 as they celebrate the New Year in Cairo, Egypt on Friday, December 31, 2021.
AP Photo / Amr Nabil
People celebrate on a New Year’s Eve, in Belgrade, Serbia on Friday, December 31, 2021. The lively New Year’s celebrations kicked off on Friday in the Serbian capital of Belgrade where, unlike elsewhere in Europe, rallies of mass were allowed despite fears of the fast-spreading omicron variant.
AP Photo / Darko Vojinovic
Fireworks explode at the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, during New Year’s Eve celebration in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Saturday, January 1, 2022.
AP Photo / Kamran Jebreili
With flashy fireworks displays and low-key celebrations, some wearing masks to protect themselves from the coronavirus and others wearing bright glasses, the world has slipped from 2021 to 2022. As the grip of the fast-spreading variant of the omicron is tightening, many are clinging to the hope that the new year will bring better days.
Revelers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, descended on luxury hotels outside Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, during a fireworks display and laser light show.
“If you don’t party, life will pass you by,” said Lujain Orfi, a 26-year-old tourist from the holy city of Medina in Saudi Arabia.
Large crowds gathered in the Serbian capital of Belgrade for open-air concerts, fireworks and a light show where, unlike elsewhere in Europe, mass gatherings were allowed.
In Japan, masked revelers filled temples and shrines, dined and drank in downtown Tokyo and in crowded shopping areas.
“I hope the holidays are blessed for all of us,” said Naoki Matsuzawa, a writer who lives in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo. He plans to spend the next few days volunteering to cook and deliver New Year’s food to the elderly.
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