New Year 2026: First 10 Countries to Welcome the Year, Led by Kiribati Kiribati was the first country to enter 2026, with Kiritimati Atoll marking the earliest celebrations. Following Kiribati, New Zealand and Australia welcomed the New Year with fireworks and public events. Asian countries including Japan, South Korea, China, the Philippines, Thailand, India, and Pakistan completed the list of the first ten nations to cross into 2026, each observing local traditions, countdowns, and cultural festivities. Time zone differences caused this staggered global celebration, moving from the Pacific westward toward Europe, Africa, and the Americas. #NewYear2026 #Kiribati #GlobalCelebration #AsiaPacific #NewYearCountdown #WorldNews #CulturalFestivities #TimeZones