On New Year's Eve 2025, cities around the world marked the arrival of the new year with grand celebrations, but not without some incidents of concern. Sphere Entertainment hosted the Sphere New Year's Eve Celebration presented by Lexus, showcasing custom Exosphere content on the world's largest LED screen. The event served as Las Vegas's official countdown to the new year, celebrating various global cities as their respective midnight approached.
Jen Koester, president and COO of Sphere, expressed her excitement for the event, stating, "Sphere is a global landmark, and we’re excited to be sharing New Year’s Eve with our fans around the world through our Exosphere show." The celebration began bright and early at 5:00 AM PT on December 31, welcoming Sydney, Australia as the first city to enter 2025. Throughout the day, dynamic imagery and countdowns led to Las Vegas's final, majestic fireworks display across the Strip, themed 'Making Vegas Memories.'
Meanwhile, Global Village, Dubai's premier multicultural family destination, hosted seven countdown celebrations, each marking the arrival of the New Year across different time zones. With stunning fireworks and captivating drone shows illuminating the night sky, Global Village embraced its cosmopolitan spirit and values of cultural diversity. "Happy New Year" was projected across the nights, offering guests from around the globe an explosive display of unity.
A variety of performances kept the energy high, and attendees were treated to music, arts, and diverse culinary delights from over 90 cultures represented within the park’s 30 cultural pavilions. The park showcased its new Restaurant Plaza, featuring eleven double-story dining options and attractions like Exo Planet City for intergalactic experiences.
On the other side of the spectrum was VIBEZ: A Sober New Year Celebration held in West Hollywood, California. This year marked the 11th anniversary of the event, created to provide those recovering from addiction or simply seeking sober festivities with space to celebrate without the pressures of alcohol or drugs. West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson highlighted the importance of such events, noting, “Cities are themselves places where people find refuge.”
Andy Short, the senior regional manager for The Phoenix, echoed these sentiments, sharing his own experiences related to the necessity of sober events. “I think having [this] kind of space for people and letting people know it exists is incredibly important,” he remarked. With entertaining activities like themed decor, cowboy costumes, and live performances from drag talents, VIBEZ kept the celebration lively and inclusive.
Unfortunately, not all celebrations were without issues. Berlin's New Year's Eve festivities were marred by multiple incidents involving illegal fireworks. The local police urged witnesses to come forward, especially concerning one incident involving the explosion of ball bombs, which left eight people injured, including a critically hurt seven-year-old boy. Berlin's police are actively investigating these incidents to provide security and safety during future festivities.
Yet another incident occurred when a 23-year-old influencer, initially visiting Berlin from the West Bank, was arrested after posting videos of himself launching firework rockets toward apartment buildings. The video showed the rocket flying through a window before exploding inside, resulting in property damage but fortunately no injuries to the apartment residents. He has since expressed remorse, stating, "I didn’t want to hurt anyone intentionally." His actions serve as cautionary tales of recklessness often seen during celebratory occasions.
New Year's Eve 2025 proved to be filled with both joy and caution, underscoring the necessity for community gatherings focused on inclusiveness, safety, and celebration during this annual event. While many took part in vibrant celebrations like those at Sphere and Global Village, the incidents serve as poignant reminders of the need for responsible festivities, ensuring New Year's Eve remains a time for joyful new beginnings rather than regret.