Countries Welcoming 2025 Before the UAE: A Global Countdown to the New Year

As the world prepares to bid farewell to 2024 and welcome 2025, nations across different time zones are gearing up for grand celebrations. While residents of the UAE await their turn to mark the New Year, several countries will usher in 2025 hours earlier, lighting up the skies with fireworks and festivities.

Here’s a look at ten countries that will celebrate the New Year before the UAE:

1. Kiribati
Located in the central Pacific Ocean, Kiribati is the first nation to welcome the New Year each year. When the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2025, in Kiribati, it will still be 4 PM on December 31 in the UAE.

2. New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand, will follow shortly after Kiribati. Midnight celebrations in Auckland will correspond to 3 PM in the UAE. Despite its proximity, New Zealand’s time zone is an hour behind Kiribati’s, allowing Kiribati to lead the global New Year festivities.

3. Australia
Sydney’s world-renowned fireworks display is always a highlight of New Year’s Eve. Midnight in Sydney will occur at 5 PM UAE time, making it one of the most anticipated events globally.

4. Japan
Midnight in Tokyo will align with 7 PM UAE time. Japan, with its unique blend of traditional and modern celebrations, is five hours ahead of the UAE.

5. South Korea
Seoul, also five hours ahead, will celebrate the New Year at 7 PM UAE time. This year’s celebrations in South Korea are subdued due to the tragic Jeju Air crash that claimed 179 lives and ongoing political unrest following recent martial law controversies.

6. China
Beijing, four hours ahead of the UAE, will ring in 2025 at 8 PM UAE time.

7. Philippines
Manila will welcome the New Year at the same time as Beijing, with midnight in the Philippines aligning with 8 PM in the UAE.

8. Thailand
Bangkok, three hours ahead of the UAE, will see midnight celebrations begin at 9 PM UAE time.

9. India
Delhi, with its time zone just 1 hour and 30 minutes ahead of the UAE, will ring in 2025 at 10:30 PM UAE time.

10. Pakistan
Karachi will mark the arrival of the New Year at 11 PM UAE time, making it the last on this list to celebrate before the UAE joins the global festivities.

As nations celebrate across time zones, the UAE gears up for its own dazzling displays, promising a memorable welcome to 2025.