Happy New Year from Australia!

Cities across the world have started to welcome in 2016 as New Year celebrations kick off around the globe.

People in Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and even small parts of Russia have already been ringing in the new year as they say goodbye to 2015.

In Sydney, the city put on a spectacular display centred around the world famous Harbour Bridge to welcome in 2016.

The Sydney Harbour bridge was spectacularly lit up with fireworks as cities around the globe have begun ringing in the new year 

 More than a million people were expected to pack into the harbour around the bridge, Opera House and Circular Quay for the celebrations

People had begun gathering around Sydney Harbour from earlier in the day to gain the best vantage point for the spectacular fireworks 

Red fireworks cascaded off the bridge like a waterfall while yellow flares erupted through the crossing.

To complete the effect, the landmark was also transformed into a giant Aboriginal flag.

More than a million people were expected to pack into the harbour around the bridge, Opera House and Circular Quay for the celebrations.

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And as a warm-up to the main event, crowds were treated to a 9pm family display, which sent colour across the skies of the city.

Australia's second-largest city, Melbourne also saw people gather by the hundreds of thousands despite blistering temperatures to watch nearly 11 tons of fireworks light up the sky, while singer Mariah Carey played a New Year concert in the city. 

Pink and green fireworks light up the night's sky as Sydney celebrates the beginning of 2016 with a huge display in the Harbour 

Red fireworks cascaded off the bridge like a waterfall while yellow flares erupted through the bridge. To complete the effect, the landmark was also transformed into a giant Aboriginal flag.

In Auckland, fireworks were set off and a laser show came from the city's Sky Tower, as they became the first major city to see in 2016.  

The seconds to midnight were counted down with a giant digital clock on the Auckland landmark.

Horns blared and crowds cheered as the tower was then lit up with fireworks, with colours shifting from green to red to white.

As well as fireworks, people in Auckland were treated to a laser show from the Sky Tower, a landmark in one of the country's major cities

As well as New Zealand, Samoa and the Christmas Islands as well as parts of Russia have also welcomed in 2016 already

As well as New Zealand, Samoa and the Christmas Islands as well as parts of Russia have also welcomed in 2016 already

As the clock struck midnight, Auckland's Sky Tower was light up with a fireworks and laser display to celebrate the start of 2016

The seconds to midnight were counted down with a giant digital clock on the Auckland landmark before it erupted into colour

The seconds to midnight were counted down with a giant digital clock on the Auckland landmark before it erupted into colour

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Horns blared and crowds cheered as the tower was then lit up with fireworks

Horns blared and crowds cheered as the tower was then lit up with fireworks

Two revellers in the centre of Auckland pose for a selfie while fireworks stream down from the Sky Tower in the centre of the city 

The view of the fireworks from Napier Beach in Auckland as people also took to the coast in New Zealand to see in the New Year 

A stream of colour light up the night's sky to bring in 2016 in New Zealand's capital city Wellington, one of the first to see in the New Year

Later this afternoon, Japan and North Korea will see in 2016, with New Year's Eve Japan's biggest holiday.

However, millions will cram into trains to flee the cities for their hometowns to slurp down bowls of noodles, symbolizing longevity, while watching the annual Red and White NHK song competition.

Singer Mariah Carey performed at a New Year's Eve Party at the Crown Palladium in Australia's second largest city Melbourne 

The venue is owned by the singer's current boyfriend James Packer and the pair had spent Christmas at the casino

The venue is owned by the singer's current boyfriend James Packer and the pair had spent Christmas at the casino

Later this evening, a spectacular fireworks display is promised in Dubai before 2016 makes its way across to Europe.

Paris has canceled its usual fireworks display and will instead display a five-minute video performance at the Arc de Triomphe just before midnight, relayed on screens along the Champs Elysée.

In previous years, more than 600,000 French and foreign visitors gathered on the famous avenue for New Year's Eve. This year, it will be closed to vehicles for just one hour instead of the usual three.

Crowds in Sydney have been treated to a warm up fireworks event before midnight when they will see in 2016 in the usual colourful fashion

The first display of fireworks centre around the city's Harbour Bridge and sent colour across the sky above the Opera House and harbour