World welcomes 2025 with hope, chilly dips, spectacular fireworks

People worldwide rang in the new year with traditions, festivities and even some rather daring chilly swims in frigid seas

A fireworks display is launched behind the London Eye during New Year's celebrations, London, Britain, Jan. 1, 2025.

Fireworks light up the sky over the Bosporus, Istanbul, Türkiye, Jan. 1, 2025.

A reveler wears decorative glasses adorned with the number 2025 to celebrate the new year in Times Square, New York, U.S., Jan. 1, 2025.

A man, dressed as Santa Claus, uses a stand-up paddle board in the Adriatic Sea in Opatija, Croatia, Jan. 1, 2025.

An aerial photograph shows a fireworks display held with the Christ the Redeemer Monument in the foreground during New Year's celebrations, at Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jan. 1, 2025.

People gather ahead of the New Year's countdown in Times Square, New York City, U.S., Dec. 31, 2024.

People walk at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival as they await the New Year's Eve fireworks and drone show, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Dec. 31, 2024.

Lovers of winter swimming wearing costumes take a dip in the Baltic Sea to celebrate the new year, Gdansk, Poland, Jan. 1, 2025.

Balinese dancers perform during a cultural parade as part of a New Year's Eve celebration, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, Dec. 31, 2024.

A woman in a costume takes to the street to participate in the 20th edition of the New Year's Eve Run, Krakow, Poland, Dec. 31, 2024.

Swimmers take part in the Bray Lions Club annual Charity Sea Swim as they welcome 2025 in Bray, Wicklow, Ireland, Jan. 1, 2025.

A man sells balloons on a street as people celebrate New Year's Eve, Lahore, Pakistan, Jan. 1, 2025.

A fireworks display erupts over London during New Year's celebrations, London, Britain, Jan. 1, 2025.