THOUSANDS of revelers have gathered in New York City's Times Square as the United States awaits the New Year.
The Times Square New Year's Eve celebration will go on with a reduced crowd number.
Only about 15,000 people with proof of vaccination and use of face masks are allowed to gather around Times Square in an effort to contain the spread of Omicron.
Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus is hosting a New Year's Eve bash in Miami, Florida, and in Nashville music stars such as Lady A are performing in a concert at the Big Bash Bicentennial National Mall State Park.
The UK has already welcomed in 2022 with a spectacular fireworks and pyrotechnics display that lit up London's famous spots to mark the end of a tough 12 months.
The fireworks "spectacular" took a tour through London to mark midnight, and ended with a traditional rendition of Auld Lang Syne performed by the West End musical choir.
Fridays stunning displahy was powered by lights, drones and fireworks as it marked the biggest moments in Britain over the last 12 months.
To celebrate we've been bringing you live updates from celebrations around the world, from fireworks in Sydney and Beijing, to parties in London, New York, Rio de Janeiro and everyone in between.
Read our New Year live blog below to follow all the latest action...
G. P. Rodriguez just now
Argentina welcomes 2022!
Parts of South America including Brazil and Argentina have welcomed 2022.
Chile, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Magallanes, Paraguay, Suriname and Uruguay are also now in 2022.
Happy New Year Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Magallanes, Paraguay, Suriname and Uruguay pic.twitter.com/vCASFht8a8
— Tweepsmap (@tweepsmap) January 1, 2022
G. P. Rodriguez 5 minutes ago
Brazil rings in the New Year!
The South American nation has welcomed 2022!
Women pose for photo on New Year's Eve at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on December 31, 2021. (Photo by DANIEL RAMALHO / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL RAMALHO/AFP via Getty Images) Credit: AFP or licensors
G. P. Rodriguez 10 minutes ago
Blake Shelton performs
Blake Shelton performs during the New Year's Eve Live Nashville's Big Bash at Ole Red in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dierks Bentley is also scheduled to perform at the event.
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
G. P. Rodriguez 20 minutes ago
Miranda Lambert brings the house down
Miranda Lambert performed during the CBS special NEW YEARS EVE LIVE: NASHVILLES BIG BASH, a star-studded entertainment special hosted by radio and TV personality Bobby Bones and co-hosted by Entertainment Tonight's Rachel Smith.
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
G. P. Rodriguez 30 minutes ago
Nashville bash
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn perform during the New Year's Eve Live Nashville's Big Bash at Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar in Nashville, Tennessee.
The show is being broadcast on CBS.
Those present needed to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test.
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
G. P. Rodriguez 50 minutes ago
Three hours to go
Revelers gather in Times Square before the start of New Year's Eve celebrations.
New York City is limiting the number of people who can attend New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square to 15,000 due to the surge in the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Credit: PA:Press Association
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 02:00
New York is ready
A crowd gathered as early as possible to watch the ball drop on New Year's Eve at Times Square, New York.
Only about 15,000 people with proof of vaccination and use of face masks are allowed to gather around Times Square in an effort to contain the spread of Omicron, the new COVID-19 variant which has caused an increase in the COVID-19 cases in New York and USA.
Credit: Rex Features
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 01:45
London celebrates the New Year
A large crowd party and celebrate by the London Eye on December 31, 2021 in London, United Kingdom.
The fireworks "spectacular" took a tour through London to mark midnight, and ended with a traditional rendition of Auld Lang Syne performed by the West End musical choir.
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 01:25
The Edinburgh scene
Princes Street is seen deserted on December 31, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
In Scotland, a maximum of 500 people can attend outdoor events where physical distancing of one metre is in place meaning the traditional Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations have been canceled.
The rule-of-six in regulated premises, such as bars, restaurants, cinemas and theatres, was reintroduced in Wales on Boxing Day along with the closure of nightclubs. In England, the government has not introduced any new measures.
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 01:20
New York City countdown
The hourly countdown is seen during the New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square, as the Omicron coronavirus variant continues to spread, in the Manhattan borough of New York City.
The Times Square New Years Eve celebration will go on with a reduced crowd number.
Credit: HANNAH BEIER
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 01:15
Parisians celebrate
Despite a surge of Covid cases across the world, Parisians celebrated the New Year on the Champs Elysees avenue, in Paris.
Credit: AP:Associated Press
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 01:10
New Year in Paris
A couple is seen kissing on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris shortly after welcoming the New Year at midnight.
Europe has welcomed the New Year already, while the Americas are still in 2021.
Credit: AFP or licensors
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 01:05
Big Ben marks midnight
Minutes after Big Ben strikes 12 0' clock, a few fireworks are let off on January 01, 2022 in London, United Kingdom.
The countries that make up the UK have differing covid measures in place over the festive period. In Scotland, a maximum of 500 people can attend outdoor events where physical distancing of one metre is in place meaning the traditional Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations have been canceled.
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 01:00
New Year over the Thames
Pyrotechnics go off to mark the start of the year 2022, just after midnight, by the Millennium Bridge going over the River Thames, backdropped by the dome of St Paul's Cathedral in London.
The usual New Year's Eve London firework display by the London Eye ferris wheel was cancelled for the second year running to stop crowds gathering during the UK's current coronavirus outbreak.
Credit: AP:Associated Press
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 00:55
Edinburgh castle rings in the New Year
Edinburgh Castle and the Balmoral Clock at midnight at the bells on New Year's Eve Edinburgh as the limit on the number of people who can take part in events has seen New Year's Eve street parties cancelled, including the one planned for Edinburgh.
In Scotland, events have one-metre social distancing and are limited to 100 people standing indoors, 200 people sitting indoors and 500 people outdoors, with one-metre physical distancing in place in all indoor hospitality and leisure settings.
Credit: PA:Press Association
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 00:48
Portugal receives the New Year
The image below shows fireworks illuminating the Funchal bay during the New Year celebrations in Madeira island, Portugal, on January 1, 2021.
Credit: EPA
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 00:40
Lights over St Paul's Cathedral
People watch a light display to mark the New Year over St Paul’s Cathedral and the Millenium Bridge, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease pandemic, in London, Britain.
Credit: Reuters
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 00:35
Drone show over London
Drones illuminate the night sky over the Old Royal Naval College in London after the capital's normal New Year's Eve fireworks display was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Credit: PA:Press Association
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 00:30
The London scene
A laser show illuminates on the Millennium Bridge as people celebrate the arrival of the year 2022 on January 1, 2022 in London, England.
While Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland face tougher Covid-19 restrictions over the New Year period, England has chosen to permit social gatherings but has cancelled some events, such as the planned celebrations in Trafalgar Square. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
G. P. Rodriguez Today, 00:27
Madrid's Puerta del Sol celebrates
People pose for a selfie as they enjoy the atmosphere at Puerta del Sol Square on New Year's Eve during the sixth wave of the coronavirus pandemic on December 31, 2021 in Madrid, Spain.
Whilst most European cities have cancelled traditional New Year's Eve festivities, Madrid's celebration of the grapes on New Year's Eve in Puerta del Sol has been maintained with protocols of social distancing, the use of face-masks and 60% reduction of capacity.
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Joseph Gamp Today, 00:06
London lit up with pyrotechnic and firework display
Organisers said there would be no fireworks this year to keep crowds away.
But there's a huge fireworks display taking place above the Thames, set to the backdrop of Greenwich Park, Millennium Bridge and the O2.
There's even a nod to the World Cup!
Joseph Gamp Today, 00:00
Happy New Year!!!!
London has counted down and it's now 2022.
The capital's landmarks have been lit up!
Happy New Year to all Sun readers.
Joseph Gamp 31st Dec 2021, 23:56
UK to celebrate New Year in five minutes time
Brits will countdown to midnight shortly.
Olly Alexander and his band Years & Years are performing live in London with Kylie Minogue.
Happy New Year one and all!
Joseph Gamp 31st Dec 2021, 23:50
Revellers are packing out London's Leicester Square
Brits are out and about celebrating in England tonight - with the capital absolutely rammed with revellers desperate to forget about 2021.
The picture below shows party people packing out Leicester Square in the very centre of London.
Some revellers can be seen wearing face masks as they wait for the countdown.
Joseph Gamp 31st Dec 2021, 23:45
Feliz 2022 from Madrid as Spain celebrates New Year
Spain how now officially seen in the New Year.
The bells of the clock tower of the Real Casa de Correos, located in Puerta del Sol, announce the New Year 2022 with fireworks, in Madrid.
Dozens of people gather around the Plaza de Sol, in front of the clock tower, prior to the chimes.
NINTCHDBPICT000702794645 Credit: EPA
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