Nathan Williams
Live page editor

Image source, PA Media

OK, we're nearly there. It's just 15 minutes to go until the clocks strike midnight here in the UK.

We'll soon be hearing the chimes of Big Ben ring out in central London, before a spectacular fireworks show centred on the London Eye lights up the River Thames.

About 100,000 revellers are expected in London to watch the display – but don't worry if you’re not there in person, you can see the event play out in the stream above by pressing watch live.

In Edinburgh, tens of thousands are preparing for the world-famous Hogmanay street party, and there are other celebrations planned across the country from Belfast to Cardiff, Manchester and Newcastle.

Kayleigh Harvey
BBC Scotland

It's freezing temperatures, for those ringing in the bells outdoors, in Scotland - but that hasn't stopped people lining the streets around the iconic Edinburgh Castle.

At midnight Robert Burns' Auld Lang Syne will echo round the capital as 10,000 fireworks are set off as part of a six minute display.

Soaking up the atmosphere at Edinburgh's street party are two friends, Cosmio and Neal, who made the trip specially from New Jersey, USA.

Cosmio says the pair have made travelling for New Year a regular thing but says the energy from the street party in Edinburgh is "a thousand times better" than watching the famous ball drop in New York's Times Square.

Neal says: "The dancing, the people, the energy, the vibe - it's just the best way to bring in the New Year together."

As the duo welcome a new year they can trip another city off their New Year bucket list.

Kayleigh Harvey
BBC Scotland

Among the 45,000 people enjoying Edinburgh's world famous street party Hogmanay celebrations is 7-year old Oliver Brown from Liverpool.

He travelled to Scotland's capital city with his mum, Cheryl and Dad, Terry yesterday just for tonight's event.

He's excited to be up late and is "really enjoying" his first street party experience. "I'm looking forward to seeing the fireworks," he says.

Cheryl and Terry have experienced Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations before. Having also travelled to London and Belfast they said Edinburgh's party atmosphere is what brought them back again.

"We done it a few years ago and we just had to come back," Terry says.

The family will stay in the city until Friday to really soak up the city's four days of celebrations.

Image source, Toby Melville/Reuters

Just 40 minutes to go before the UK welcomes in 2026.

People have gathered all over the country to celebrate the moment the clock strikes midnight, with spectacular fireworks expected in London, Edinburgh and across the country.

You'll be able to watch the London firework display over the Thames by pressing watch live at the top of this page.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

...and Germany is certainly not the only one.

Many other countries, including Norway, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Poland, most of Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Gibraltar, Vatican City State and Monaco, are all celebrating the dawn of 2026.

They are joined by the African nations including Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Morocco and Angola.

Image source, Downing Street.

We've just heard from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who vows in his new year message to "defeat the decline and division offered by others".

He acknowledged "things have been tough in Britain for a while" but said the public should now start to see improvements including lower bills, more police on the streets and new health hubs.

In her own new year message, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said 2025 had seen "no growth, higher taxes and record unemployment".

However, she added that Britain was "not destined for decline" and her party's plan would "back business and fix our economy so we can fund our armed forces, police, schools, NHS and build something that we feel proud of".

• Read more on this from our political reporter Becky Morton.

We want to hear how you're seeing in the new year, here's a selection of your contributions so far:

Ben Gordon says he has been following the Ashes and is bringing in the new year on Hamilton Island, Queensland, Australia. "First NY out of the UK," he says, before he watches the final test in Sydney in a few days.

Kat Martinson from New Mexico in the US writes to let us know that her family will be spending New Year's Eve in a labour suite as expects to welcome a new grandchild. Apparently the new arrival's three brothers are hoping for a sister, but Kat has predicted a fourth boy. Parents Robyn and Will are just looking for a smooth and speedy delivery!

And Liz is a Brit now living in Denmark who has shared her plans: "Danes go absolutely crazy for NYE and have lots of traditions!" She says the champagne will be will be flowing for the King's new year speech at 18:00 and when the clock strikes midnight they'll be literally jumping off the sofa into the new year!

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Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

As we've reported, Times Square is already filling up ahead of the new year celebrations in New York.

It may still be quite a while before it strikes midnight there, but we're taking an early look at this year's famous Times Square ball drop.

That's because this year sees the largest ever ball take centre stage in the celebrations.

The 60-second descent down a flagpole at 23:59 on the roof of the One Times Square skyscraper has marked the new year for more than 100 years, with nine different balls making the drop over the years.

The latest, named the Constellation Ball, features 5,280 Waterford crystals as well as LED lights and measures 12.5 ft (3.8m) in diameter.

Take a closer look in the short video below:

Matt Spivey
Live editor

In the London newsroom, we're eagerly anticipating the new year.

But in other parts of Europe, it's already struck midnight - and with that, 2026.

Greece, Romania, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have all marked the end of 2025.

We have live images from around the world, including Kyiv and Athens, watch live above.

As well as Europe, parts of South Africa (including Johannesburg), Sudan, Egypt, Israel, Zimbabwe, and Lebanon are among a large swathe of over 30 countries who have welcomed in the new year.

Dubai hosted a fireworks event at the world's tallest building that thrilled the crowds.

Crowds seemed jubilant, and we're now seeing pictures of some of those who got to witness the festivities first-hand.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

It's 21:00 GMT in the UK, and many places, including the Russian capital, Moscow, have entered 2026.

In Moscow's Red Square, firework displays were cancelled and the square itself was closed to visitors until 8am on 1 January because of enhanced security.

A host of other countries have entered the new year - they include Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Madagascar, Uganda, Syria, Eritrea, Jordan, Kuwait and Yemen.

Image source, APTN

Dubai and Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates, together with South Korea, have rung in the New Year and brought the world some memorable images of early 2026.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Image source, APTN

Image source, APTN

Iran is next to hear the new year gong, entering 2026 on the back of visual displays from nearby UAE.

We're now steadily approaching the Asia-Europe border - here's a reminder of how Europeans are gearing up for 2026.

And, more than half of Russia has said goodbye to 2025. The country spans a huge 11 time zones - with capital Moscow due to join next.

You can follow along with the celebrations in Lusail, Qatar, at the top of the page - where midnight is set to tick over at 21:00 GMT.

It's 20:00 GMT in the UK, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Azerbaijan, Armenia, much of Georgia, Mauritius and the Seychelles have just cross the threshold into 2026.

In Dubai, UAE, people have been treated to the sight of fireworks from the world's tallest building following a performance with light displays, music and water jets - quite the spectacle.

You can watch the celebrations in Dubai by clicking watch live above.

Image source, APTN

As we reported earlier, some people have decided to take the plunge into icy cold waters in Croatia or take a run through snowy forests in Poland.

In the UK, fireworks are expected across large parts of the country - but how's the weather looking?

Well, forecasters warn of cold snaps across large parts of the country as yellow warnings have been issued by the Met Office, external for snow and ice across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland; they will be in force between midnight and noon on 2 January.

Colder Arctic air will spread across the UK from New Year's Day with significant snowfall expected in northern Scotland.

• You can read more on this in our news story, and take a look at the forecast in the video below

There are still a few hours before the bells ring across Europe to mark the beginning of the new year, but celebrations have already begun.

Stay with us and follow along throughout the evening as a range of nations open the door to 2026.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Image source, Reuters/Corey Rudy

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Afghanistan has now entered the new year.

It'll be the turn of the United Arab Emirates, Armenia and Azerbaijan in half an hour's time.