Major European capitals welcome the New Year with celebrations

Major capitals of European Union countries organised shows and celebratory events to mark the beginning of 2025.

Shows were held outside iconic monuments of each respective city, here’s a preview of how some cities welcomed the joyous occasion.

Paris, France

The ‘City of Light’ lived up to its name with a spectacular fireworks show that filled the Paris skies with colour and energy. Hundreds of thousands of revellers, who filled the French capital were delighted by the impressive performance.

The city’s iconic Arc de Triomphe, on the globally renowned Champs Elysées Avenue, was turned into a giant tableau for a light show celebrating the city’s landmarks.

The city pulled out all stops to celebrate a difficult 2024, which featured both remarkable success, and domestic political turmoil.

The French capital hosted a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in the summer, drawing international celebration.

Paris’ Notre Dame cathedral also reopened after five years of intense restoration efforts after a 2019 fire that almost destroyed one of the world’s most recognisable places of worship.

Spectators cheered and welcomed the New Year, with many of them hoping the dazzling display is a sign of more celebrations and success in 2025.

Rome, Italy

Thousands of spectators convened around the historic Colosseum in the Italian capital, Rome, to witness the welcoming of the New Year.

Fireworks lit up the skies of the city to the delight of thousands of revellers.  

Several events were held across the city for the millions of tourists who enjoy the celebrations every year.

A separata event was organised on the Gianicolo Hill at the base of the iconic Garibaldi statue.

Spectators pointed green lasers, held flares and cheered loudly as the clock struck midnight, beginning the New Year in a setting of positivity and hope.

Berlin, Germany

A fireworks show was also held in the German capital.

Spectators gathered outside the iconic Brandeburg Gate in Berlin.

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Citizens, residents and tourists of the city got to enjoy a long celebration lasting several minutes.

Fireworks illuminated the skies with an array of colours, as crowds looked on to appreciate the moment.

Athens, Greece

Perhaps the most unique show that stood out from most other major capitals.

The Greek capital, Athens, went for a different approach.

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The city held a silent fireworks and lights show near the Pathenon atop the Acropolis in Athens to mark the arrival of 2025.

It’s the first time the Greek capital uses silent fireworks to usher in a New Year.

The city opted to use for a groundbreaking visual display, using pyrotechnics, and chemically advanced firecrackers, specifically designed to reduce the volume omitted, while maintaining vivid colours of their traditional counterpart.

The decision is part of a new municipal administration’s vision aiming to ensure the joyous occasion is marked and celebrated visually in a satisfying way, but without disturbing pets or urban wildlife.  

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Additional sources • AP