Sydney dazzles with display as world welcomes 2026

Australia welcomed 2026 with a spectacular fireworks display over Sydney Opera House, as well as a minute’s silence to remember the victims of the Bondi Beach attack. The 40,000 fireworks stretched more than four miles across buildings and barges along the harbour.

- MAIRA BUTT DAN HAYGARTH

An hour before midnight, the victims of the country’s deadliest terrorist attack - during which 15 were killed and 40 injured - were commemorated with a moment of reflection, while images of a menorah were projected onto Sydney Harbour Bridge. The crowd were invited to show their solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community by shining their phone torches across the harbour.

New South Wales premier Chris Minns urged Sydney residents not to stay away through fear, saying extremists would interpret smaller crowds at New Year’s Eve festivities as a victory.

“We can’t be in a situation where this horrible, criminal, terrorist event changes the way we live in our beautiful city,’ Mr Minns told reporters yesterday.

“We have to show defiance in the face of this terrible crime and say that we're not going to be cowered by this kind of terrorism,’ he added.

New Zealand

Two hours earlier, more than 3,000 fireworks were launched over the top of New Zealand’s tallest building - the Sky Tower - as Auckland became the first major city to welcome in the new year. New Zealand’s capital celebrated midnight 18 hours before New York. The five-minute display involved 3,500 fireworks launched from various floors of the 240m (787ft) Sky Tower.