From Russia to Iran, and 3 other countries that shun celebrations Australia awaits for heavy fireworks
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
New Year 2025 is ticking close to its expected take off fireworks around the world, the biggest of which is anticipated to be in Australia, in keeping with its practice of huge blasts on Sydney harbour beamed globally, the country being among those in the earliest time zone.
Other countries also celebrate the New Year in some form, but there are a few where New Year celebrations hold minimal significance or are not observed at all because of cultural, religious, or political reasons.
Below are five of them:
Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, public New Year celebrations are rare due to the country’s strict adherence to Islamic traditions. The Islamic calendar, not the Gregorian calendar, is primarily observed.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan follows the Islamic calendar, and the Persian New Year (Nowruz), celebrated on March 21, holds more significance than the Gregorian New Year.
North Korea
In North Korea, the Gregorian New Year is not widely celebrated. Instead, the Day of the Sun (Kim Il-sung’s birthday) and the Korean New Year (based on the lunar calendar) are more prominent.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia uses its own calendar, which is roughly seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar. Its New Year, “Enkutatash”, is celebrated in September.
Iran
Iran, like Afghanistan, celebrates Nowruz, the Persian New Year, on the vernal equinox (around March 21). The Gregorian New Year has little cultural or traditional significance.
Countries welcoming 2025 ahead of Nigeria, from Christmas Island and Australia to Tokyo
Several countries around the globe have already stepped into 2025 even as Nigerians are still waiting for the hour, caused by the varying time zones worldwide that allow some regions to reach hours ahead of others.
While Australia and New Zealand are often thought to be the first to welcome the New Year, smaller island nations actually take the lead. Below is a list of countries that will celebrate 2025 before Nigeria, along with the corresponding Nigerian time:
Christmas Island
At 11 am Nigerian time on December 31, Christmas Island, part of the Republic of Kiribati, becomes the first place in the world to enter 2025.
New Zealand
By 12 noon Nigerian time, New Zealand would have begun its New Year celebrations, marking 2025 with joyous festivities.
Samoa
Samoa, an island nation in the South Pacific, shares the same time zone as New Zealand and also celebrates the New Year at 12 noon Nigerian time on December 31.
Tonga
The Polynesian kingdom of Tonga, with its over 170 islands, joins New Zealand and Samoa in welcoming the New Year at 12 noon Nigerian time.
Fiji
At 1 pm Nigerian time, the island nation of Fiji ushers in 2025, celebrating with vibrant traditions and festivities.
Russia
Russia’s Far East regions celebrate the New Year simultaneously with Fiji, at 1 pm Nigerian time, due to the vast expanse of the country across multiple time zones.
Australia
Between 1.30 pm and 2pm Nigerian time, parts of Australia such as Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, and other eastern regions will celebrate the New Year.
Papua New Guinea
By 2 pm Nigerian time, Papua New Guinea, situated in the southwestern Pacific, joins the New Year celebrations.
Guam (US territory)
Guam, a United States territory in Micronesia, celebrates the New Year at the same time as Papua New Guinea, at 2pm Nigerian time.
Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Indonesia
At 4 pm Nigerian time, East Asian countries like Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and parts of Indonesia ring in the New Year with their unique traditions.
These different celebrations across the globe serve as a reminder of the diversity and interconnectedness of our world as we step into the New Year.
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