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Kathmandu. The globe came together to embrace 2025 with enthusiasm, optimism, and spectacular festivities. From the lively avenues of Times Square to the serene shores of the Pacific Islands, countless individuals marked the beginning of a new year with fireworks, music, and sincere resolutions.

Have we ever wondered which country is the first to celebrate the New Year every year?

Kiribati is the only country in the world to celebrate the New Year ahead of other countries worldwide.

When the clock hits midnight on December 31, people worldwide enthusiastically welcome the New Year. However, in a particular part of the planet, festivities commence before anyone else. The Pacific Island nation of Kiribati, particularly its easternmost Line Islands, proudly holds the title of being the first to welcome the New Year.

We all know the Earth is divided into 24 different time zones worldwide. The new day starts with the International Date Line, (The International Date Line (IDL) is the line extending between the South and North Poles that is the boundary between one calendar day and the next. It passes through the Pacific Ocean, roughly following the 180.0° line of longitude and deviating to pass around some territories and island groups. Crossing the date line eastbound decreases the date by one day, while crossing the date line westbound increases the date.) and moves to the west.

Kiribati is Located near the International Date Line, and its time zone is a full 8 hours and 15 minutes ahead of Nepal. The islands of Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Tabuaeran, and Teraina are among the first inhabited locations on Earth to ring in the New Year.

While many around the globe are still gearing up for celebrations, the people of these isolated islands are already partaking in fireworks, traditional dances, and festive family meals. Kiribati’s distinctive location on the globe makes its celebrations a poignant symbol of hope and renewal for the upcoming year.

For those who can’t partake in the festivities in Kiribati, these celebrations serve as an intriguing reminder of our planet’s time zones and the various ways in which different cultures mark the same significant event.

It is quite intriguing that the country to last celebrate the New Year is American Samoa, which is actually located near Kiribati Islands (750 km distance to each). Because American Samoa lies on the different side of the International Date Line also creates the 25 hours’ time difference. It is also interesting, that American Samoa is part of the United States so, naturally USA becomes the last country to celebrate New Year on Earth. -Umang Acharya