New Year 2025: Which Country Celebrates First and Last?

As the clock ticks toward 2025, countries around the globe are gearing up for spectacular celebrations to welcome the New Year. However, thanks to the complexities of time zones, not everyone will greet 2025 at the same moment. While some countries will be among the first to ring in the New Year, others will be hours behind, making this an exciting and diverse global event.

Let’s explore which places will celebrate first, who will celebrate last, and where countries like Pakistan fit into the global timeline of celebrations.

Who Celebrates New Year 2025 First?

Kiritimati Island, also known as Christmas Island, along with 10 uninhabited islands in the central Pacific, will be the first to welcome 2025. Situated in the Line Islands group, Kiritimati follows a time zone 14 hours ahead of GMT, making it the earliest inhabited place to mark the arrival of the New Year.

Other Pacific nations, including Tonga, Samoa, and parts of New Zealand, will follow shortly after, hosting some of the world’s first New Year’s celebrations. Eastern Australia will also join the early festivities, with cities like Sydney and Melbourne lighting up the skies with their iconic firework displays.

Who Celebrates New Year 2025 Last?

On the other end of the spectrum, two uninhabited islands—Baker Island and Howland Island—will be the last to welcome 2025. These remote islands, located southwest of Hawaii, are among the few places in the world to experience the final moments of 2024.

Interestingly, parts of the United States, including New York and Washington D.C., will celebrate much later, joining the last wave of countries to greet the New Year at approximately 5am GMT.

When Does Pakistan Celebrate New Year 2025?

Pakistan will ring in the New Year on December 31 at 7:00pm GMT, placing it among the earlier nations to mark the occasion. Neighboring countries, including India and Bangladesh, will celebrate at 6:30pm GMT and 6:00pm GMT, respectively.

Other nearby regions, such as Afghanistan and Iran, will welcome 2025 at 7:30pm GMT and 8:30pm GMT. This regional timeline showcases how South Asia collectively transitions into the New Year ahead of many Western nations.

How Time Zones Shape New Year Celebrations

The Earth is divided into 24 time zones, each corresponding to a specific standard time based on longitude. These divisions ensure that different parts of the world experience sunrise, sunset, and midnight at appropriate times.

A key element influencing the global celebration schedule is the International Date Line. This imaginary line, positioned along the 180th meridian in the Pacific Ocean, marks the boundary where a new day begins. Countries have the flexibility to choose which side of the Date Line they prefer, giving them control over their time zones.

Currently, the world recognizes 38 distinct time zones, which explains why New Year’s celebrations happen at staggered intervals worldwide. From Kiritimati Island’s early fireworks to Baker Island’s final countdown, the staggered global celebrations reflect the diversity and unity of humanity in welcoming a new chapter.