Fireworks light up New Year celebrations around the globe

New Yorkers did it their way!

As usual, a million people gathered in the city to mark the stroke of midnight and the traditional New Year’s Eve ball-drop over Times Square.

Fireworks, laser shows and music of all sorts have heralded in 2014 in celebrations around the globe.

The famous Copacabana beach was the focus for Rio De Janeiro’s celebrations as a spectacular fireworks display awed the crowds. Could it be a possible forerunner of the partying expected when the city hosts the World Cup in June?

In Moscow, an equally extravagant display lit up Saint Basil’s Cathedral.

Thousands turned out, seemingly determined to enjoy themselves despite the horror of the terror attacks in Volgograd earlier in the week.

Londoners were entertained by what was billed as the “the world’s first multi-sensory fireworks display”. Revellers were doused in peach, cherry and strawberry flavoured mists along with big orange-scented bubbles, so they could smell and taste the party atmosphere.

Thousands of Berliners braved the cold, massing by the iconic Brandenburg gate to take part in what organisers said would be the world’s biggest outdoor New Year’s Eve party.

In Dubai, there was a new World Record for the largest display of fireworks. The crowds were left gasping at the six-minute spectacular across the Palm Jumeirah, the World Islands, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Festival City.

Among the first to welcome 2014 were the people of Sydney, with a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Famed for its annual light show, the Australian city said this year’s extravaganza – entitled “Shine” – was its most expensive ever.