Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

Where is everyone? - deserted New Year celebrations

Where is everyone? - deserted New Year celebrations

The world experienced perhaps the quietest New Year's Eve in centuries as the coronavirus pandemic forced most of the festivities to take place without an audience.
Sydney, Australia


A 12-minute fireworks show lit up Sydney Harbor behind the city's famous opera house. But the attraction only drew a few dozen people amid a new COVID-19 outbreak in Australia's largest city.

Seoul, South Korea


The South Korean capital was abnormally quiet going into the New Year. Seoul's city government canceled its annual New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony at the Gwanghwamun gate, an event that normally attracts hundreds of thousands of people.

Mumbai, India


The Gateway of India was another historical site that entered 2021 in darkness. The arch-monument normally attracts large crowds of Mumbai residents with fireworks and laser shows. India imposed a night-time curfew to prevent people from gathering ahead of the new year.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates


The fireworks show at the 828-meter-high Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the world's tallest building, in Dubai was once again a sight to behold. Few spectators were present to see the 8-minute display due to strict anti-COVID measures in the Emirati metropolis.

Moscow, Russia


Red Square in Moscow was mostly empty as fireworks exploded near the Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower during New Year's celebrations. Though the traditional display remained, bars, restaurants and skating rinks in the Russian capital closed before midnight.

Berlin, Germany


Only police officers, television cameras and stages occupied the area in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate as the German capital rang in the New Year with a crowdless live show. Despite a ban on fireworks sales in the city, residents nonetheless put on their own pyrotechnic displays throughout the city.

Paris, France


A lone police officer watches the Eiffel Tower alight at midnight from the Trocadero in Paris. The city's Champs Elysee avenue, which normally attracts large crowds for New Year's festivities, was also bare due to the French capital's 8:00 p.m. curfew.

London, England


Mounted police officers rode along the River Thames across the London Eye. Fireworks displays at the large Ferris wheel are normally a sight to behold, but the show was canceled due to COVID restrictions in the British capital.

New York City, US


Confetti filled the air in an empty Times Square as the clock struck midnight in New York City. Though the notorious New Year's gathering spot was closed to the public, pop stars including Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez performed as part of the festivities.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
×