17:54
South Korea and China also welcome the New Year
South Korea and China also welcomed the year 2024. In the South Korean capital, Seoul, this was traditionally accompanied by 33 beats.
Tens of thousands of South Koreans gathered around Businjak, a pavilion containing a bell more than 3 meters high. The number 33 is the lucky number in South Korea.
The Chinese celebrate New Year’s Eve on a lesser scale, as Chinese New Year does not fall until February 10.
Unlike mainland China, the New Year was celebrated in Hong Kong and Macau. In Hong Kong, tens of thousands of people gathered in Victoria Harbor to watch traditional fireworks.
13:38
look. This is how the Flemish people in Australia celebrate the New Year
The new year has begun in Australia. The year traditionally began with the famous fireworks display on Sydney Harbour. Three hours earlier, a parade was also held there for hundreds of thousands of attendees.
Flemish locals also raised their glasses in celebration of the New Year:
12:44
look. New Zealand is celebrating the start of 2024 with a dazzling fireworks display
12:32
An additional light show with music by Arno replaces the fireworks at the end of the year in Ostend
There will be no end-of-year fireworks in Ostend tonight. Instead, an additional light show will be held at midnight under the light tunnel on Adolf Buylstraat.
12:03
Kiribati is the first country to welcome the New Year
Kiribati, located in the Pacific Ocean, was the first country in the world to welcome the New Year. It happened at 11 a.m. Belgium time.
The country’s population is about 115,000 people, living on 33 islands.
Island nations in the Pacific Ocean are the first to celebrate the New Year. After that, New Zealand and Australia will fly in 2024, followed by Asia and then Europe. North and South America are the last continents where New Year’s Eve is held.
11:52
New Zealand prepares for the new year
In New Zealand, that’s about the same time. The New Year starts there at 12 noon Belgium time. Follow the fireworks display directly above.
09:55
Ghent also cancels fireworks
then no. Ghent had his doubts until this morning, but he wouldn’t be lighting the New Year’s fireworks at Portus Janda tonight. The event was canceled due to forecast winds. There is no alternative.
09:50
In Antwerp and Brussels, fireworks continue despite the stormy weather
Despite the stormy weather, the fireworks display continues on Brussels’ Ballisenplein and on Antwerp’s Scheldt docks. In both cities it is also prohibited to set off fireworks as an individual.
08:56
Heavy rain and wind gusts on the last evening of the year
Today, the last day of the year, the Republic of the Marshall Islands is expecting for the first time many clouds with rain falling from the west.
During the day, it will become temporarily drier off the coast with clear periods. In the afternoon and evening the weather becomes more changeable More rain, which could be locally heavy, possibly accompanied by thunderclaps.
Maximum temperatures range from 5 degrees in the Ardennes Highlands to 10 degrees in Flanders. Winds blow moderately strong to locally strong at times, veering from south to southwest.
In general, RMI expects: – Wind speed between 60 and 70 km/hHowever, very local wind gusts with speeds between 70 and 80 km/h cannot be ruled out. Inland wind strength is 5 to 6 Beauforts, while on the coast it is 6 to 7 Beauforts.
Read the weather forecast here.
