Repost This ArticleNew Year’s events. It’s the king is dead; long live the king celebration of the end of the new year and the start of the next one. So as the calendars change over, here are 18 fireworks displays of past New Year’s Eves from around the world. Happy New Year! 
*Copyright: Please visit the photographer links for licensing conditions for each photo. Some are available through a Creative Commons license, but many are copyrighted against unauthorized use. We were granted special permission to feature them.*
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Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Smoke fills the skies over Rio. For more: Twelve Ways to Experience Rio de Janiero Like a Carioca. Photo: Murilo Porto
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London, England
If you've shelled out all your cash on a club night for New Year's Eve, (not advised, but we won't judge you) here's How To Enjoy London On $100 A Day.Photo: Tanya NagarIntermission
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Helsinki, Finland
Fireworks above the city seen over the North Harbour towards the district of Katajanokka. For more: Budget Guide to HelsinkiPhoto: taivasalla
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates
If you've got one of the world's most luxurious hotels, the sail shaped Burj Al Arab, you may as well throw a fireworks show. For more: Dubai also has The World's New Tallest Building. Photo: Kareem M. Negm
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St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
The fireworks aren't the only fun to be had at mile-long Quidi Vidi Lake; there's Big Nature in St. John's, Newfoundland. Photo: django.malone
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Sydney, Australia
The fireworks come from the famous Harbour Bridge. Boats of all sizes line up in the harbour for the show, and last year, Liv Hambrett got to see the Fireworks On Sydney Harbour On New Year's Eve. Photo: doggiesrule04
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Akranes, Iceland
A unique angle of the celebration, a photo taken from a graveyard. For more: Photo Essay: Iceland's Fire and Ice.Photo: Atli Harðarson
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Taipei, Taiwan
Fireworks shooting from the Taipei 101 building with different themes each year. For more: A Day in the Life of an Expat in Taipei, Taiwan.Photo: Daniel M. ShihIntermission
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Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
For more: Funchal is also home to #7 of 21 of The World's Sexiest Rooftop Pools.Photo: Hugo Reis
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New York City, New York, USA
While the crowds are ridiculous, it's always a good show in New York City when the ball drops, though perhaps best enjoyed on TV than in person.Photo: asterix611
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Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Throngs of people come to Copacabana Beach for the fireworks show, so we featured Rio twice.Photo: Amy Rollo
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Reykjavik, Iceland
Not even midnight, and the fireworks have already started. Photo: Victory Rose
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Marina Bay, Singapore
Another angle of the celebration at Marina Bay. For more: Singapore on a Shoestring Budget. Photo: FilanIntermission
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Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh has the famous (to some infamous) Hogmanay celebration for the New Year. It involves lots of drinking, inevitably cold weather, and fireworks.Photo: photojenni
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates
It's Dubai where everything seems to be just a bit more extravagant, so here's the 2010 celebration. Photo: Robin Appleby
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Ottawa, Canada
The Ottawa Parliament building just a few minutes into the New Year.Photo: Nikond200 - L-A. Paquette
Kristin Conard
Kristin Conard is an editor at Matador Nights as well as a writing instructor in California. As a child, she wanted to be a librarian, because she thought that the librarian was the one who got to write all the books in the library. Her obsession with reading and writing has continued, and when she is not grading papers and lesson planning, she is working on a collection of essays and planning her next trip.
Great shots! I’m looking forward to photographing the fireworks from Taipei 101 this year — it’s the 100th year anniversary celebration of the founding of Taiwan and the fireworks are supposed to be the best yet. We figured we should at least see them once while we live in Taipei! We have a great view of 101 from our rooftop deck so it should be awesome!
Whoa, I’m surprised to NOT see some other major fireworks on this list, like Hong Kong and New York! The other places looks amazing too though. I especially like the one in Iceland that overlooks the graveyard. Eerie but definitely a unique perspective!
New York is there – it’s on page 2!
These are awesome!
Fantastic photos. I got to see the Sydney fireworks from Cockatoo Island, that was a great experience.
I saw that article – it looked pretty awesome!
[...] more to get you in the New Year’s spirit, check out New Year’s Eve Fireworks Around the World or Brave New Traveler’s 100 New Year’s Resolutions for 2011. var ids = new Array; [...]
Australia takes thecake!!!!!!
These are all so beautiful yet so far away from me! I need more money to travel!