2012 New Year's Celebrations Around the World

Samantha Mulhaul, left, and her cousin Stephanie Pignataro, center, and friend Haley Meltcher, all of New York state, take a picture of themselves shortly before midnight as they take part in the New Year's Eve festivities in Times Square. (AP)

<b>Chicago</b>Fireworks explode over Lake Michigan. (AP)

<b>New York</b>Revelers cheer at midnight in Times Square in New York. (AP)

Confetti flies over New York's Times Square as the clock strikes midnight during the New Year's Eve celebration as seen from the balcony of the Marriott Marquis hotel. (AP)

<b>London</b>Fireworks explode over the Houses of Parliament, including St Stephen's Tower which holds Big Ben as London celebrates the arrival of New Years Day. (AP)

<b>Lithuania</b>Fireworks light the sky above the Cathedral Square in Vilnius shortly after midnight. (AP)

<b>Berlin</b>Fireworks light the sky above the Quadriga at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin shortly after midnight. (AP)

<b>Athens</b>Fireworks explode over the ancient Acropolis Hill with the Parthenon temple during the New Year's celebrations in Athens. (AP)

<b>Moscow</b>Russians celebrate the New Year on Red Square in Moscow, with the Kremlin in the background, right, and St. Basil's cathedral in background left. (AP)

<b>Jakarta</b>A fried rice vendor prepares a customer's order as fireworks burst during New Year's eve celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia. (AP)

<b>Kabul</b>A U.S. soldier with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force tries to pass under a stick during the celebration of New Year at the force's headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP)

<b>New Delhi</b>An Indian couple sport illuminated horns as they celebrate on New Year's Eve, in New Delhi, India. (AP)

<b>Beijing</b>Visitors are showered by confetti as they celebrate a light show at the Temple of Heaven during the New Year Countdown Ceremony in Beijing, China. (AP)

<b>Shanghai</b>The river front promenade called the Bund, one of the most popular tourist destinations in town, is illuminated to celebrate the New Year in Shanghai, China. (AP)

<b>Manila</b>Thousands of revelers troop to the capital's largest shopping mall to watch the fireworks display to welcome the New Year in Manila, Philippines. (AP)

<b>Korean Border</b>A giant dragon lantern is displayed to celebrate the New Year near the border village of Panmunjom that separates the two Koreas since the Korean War, at Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea. (AP)

<b>Vatican</b>Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful as he arrives in St. Peter's Basilica to celebrate a New Year's Eve vespers service at the Vatican. (AP)

<b>Taipei</b>A firework display explodes off Taiwan's tallest skyscraper Taipei101 to usher in the New Year Taipei. (AP)

<b>Kuala Lumpur</b>Malaysian people reacts as they watch fireworks explode during New Year celebrations at Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur. (AP)

<b>Hong Kong</b>Revellers celebrate the New Year celebrations in Hong Kong's Times Square. (AP)

<b>Seoul</b>Park Won-soon, a mayor of South Korean capital Seoul, center far, and other participants hit a huge bell to welcome the New Year at the Bosingak pavilion. (AP)

<b>Tokyo</b>Ayano rings in the New Year at Sensoji temple in the Asakusa district in Tokyo, Japan. (AP)

<b>Sydney</b>Fireworks burst over Sydney Opera House as New Year's celebrations begin in Sydney, Australia. (AP2011)

<b>Sydney</b>Fireworks burst over Sydney Opera House as New Year's celebrations begin in Sydney, Australia. (AP)

<b>Bangkok</b>Buddhist Thais use lotus to apply holy water on the statues of Lord Buddha for their luck as part of a New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP)

<b>Bangkok</b>Buddhist Thais recite sutras during a mass prayer as part of a New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP)