2026 Begins with Mourning in Sydney, Reflection in Asia/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Asia welcomed 2026 with a mixture of celebration and solemnity. Sydney’s festivities included a tribute to victims of its worst mass shooting in decades, while cities like Jakarta and Hong Kong scaled back events out of respect for recent tragedies. Amid subdued atmospheres, traditional and cultural observances continued across the continent.
Asia Rings in 2026 Quick Looks
- Auckland kicked off global celebrations with fireworks from the Sky Tower.
- Sydney held a tribute for 15 people killed in a December shooting at Bondi Beach.
- Police in Sydney enforced tight security, including officers with rifles.
- A moment of silence and menorah imagery honored the massacre’s victims.
- Jakarta canceled its main fireworks display due to deadly floods in Sumatra.
- Indonesian cities held prayers and cultural performances in place of parties.
- Hong Kong dropped its fireworks show following a fire that killed 161 people.
- Instead, Hong Kong hosted a light show and music concert in Central.
- Japan and South Korea rang in the new year with temple bell ceremonies.
- China’s president delivered a New Year address that included warnings to Taiwan.
- Berliners celebrated 2026 in snowfall around Brandenburg Gate.
- Greece and Cyprus replaced loud fireworks with drone and light shows.
2026 Begins with Mourning in Sydney, Reflection in Asia
Deep Look
Asia entered 2026 in a mixed spirit of celebration, mourning, and reflection, as cities across the region responded differently to recent tragedies and ongoing tensions.
Auckland, New Zealand, was the first major city to ring in the new year. A vibrant five-minute fireworks display launched from the Sky Tower lit up the city skyline, with 3,500 pyrotechnics erupting from various levels of the 240-meter (787-foot) structure. However, smaller local events were canceled across New Zealand’s North Island due to storm forecasts.
Australia followed two hours later, but the atmosphere in Sydney was notably somber. The nation’s largest city commemorated victims of a deadly December 14 mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. The attack, carried out by two gunmen, left 15 people dead and 40 injured—the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly three decades.
Tens of thousands gathered along Sydney’s waterfront for the annual fireworks show, but this year’s display was accompanied by high security. For the first time, heavily armed police with rapid-fire rifles patrolled the area. An hour before midnight, the city observed a minute of silence. Attendees illuminated the night with candles and phone flashlights as menorah images appeared on the pylons of the Sydney Harbor Bridge in solidarity with the Jewish community.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns urged residents not to give in to fear. “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 said, encouraging people to gather in strength and unity.
Elsewhere in the region, similar restraint was shown. Indonesia, still reeling from catastrophic floods and landslides in Sumatra that killed over 1,100 people, chose subdued commemorations. In Jakarta, authorities opted for a calm program of reflection and prayer instead of the usual fireworks. Governor Pramono Anung emphasized the importance of empathy over spectacle.
Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin called on residents to cancel parties and prioritize quiet gatherings. Bali also canceled its concerts and fireworks, replacing them with traditional dance performances by 65 groups as part of a cultural showcase.
Hong Kong, too, altered its plans. Following a massive fire in November that killed at least 161 people, the city dropped its famous Victoria Harbor fireworks show. Instead, a musical performance headlined by Air Supply and a light display at eight major landmarks marked the transition into 2026.
Cultural traditions remained central across much of Asia. In Tokyo, large crowds gathered at a Buddhist temple to ring bells at midnight. In Seoul, South Koreans joined in a bell-tolling ceremony at Bosingak Pavilion.
China’s official New Year message struck a more political tone. President Xi Jinping used his annual address to praise domestic technological achievements and reaffirm the country’s claim over Taiwan.
“The reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable,” Xi declared, days after China launched military drills near the island.
Meanwhile, Berliners embraced the snowy weather to celebrate outdoors. Tourists and locals took photos, built snowmen, and gathered near the Brandenburg Gate despite fog obscuring views of the iconic TV Tower.
In the Mediterranean, Greece and Cyprus welcomed the new year with an emphasis on inclusivity. Instead of traditional loud fireworks, the capitals hosted drone light shows and low-noise pyrotechnics, aiming to reduce distress for children and animals sensitive to sound.
Whether through grandeur or restraint, Asia and parts of Europe marked the end of a tumultuous year, balancing remembrance with resilience as they stepped into 2026.
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