As the New Year approaches, people worldwide are preparing to usher it in with a myriad of festivities, including parties, fireworks displays, and live events. However, numerous locations have seen event cancellations due to various safety concerns, impacting celebratory plans for many individuals globally. From Sydney to Hong Kong and Belgrade, adjustments and cancellations have been made.
In the UK, residents have been advised to bundle up with extra layers when attending fireworks shows across the country due to the expected cold temperatures. The iconic image of fireworks illuminating the Sydney Opera House on New Year’s Eve is a familiar sight, but this year, Australians are still recovering from a tragic shooting at Bondi Beach that claimed 15 lives and left 40 others injured.
In response to the recent events, the New Year’s Eve fireworks display at Bondi Beach has been called off, including events like elrow XXL Bondi and Local’s Lawn, as announced by Waverley Council organizers. The decision was made out of consideration for Sydney’s Jewish community and as a gesture of compassion. However, the traditional fireworks over the Opera House in Sydney will proceed, with a moment of silence planned to honor the victims of the Bondi shooting.
Across different time zones, New Year’s celebrations will begin in Kiribati, a country comprising several islands, including the Line Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean just west of the International Date Line and 14 hours ahead of London. As the clock strikes midnight in various regions, festivities will continue, culminating in celebrations in Brazil, New York, and Los Angeles at later hours.