Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House during New Year's celebrations in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009.
Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour during the pre-New Year's celebrations in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.
Hong Kong
Revelers pose as they celebrate during the 2009 New Year countdown event in Hong Kong late Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.
Philippines
Filipino revelers watch a fireworks display in suburban Manila, Philippines on Thursday Jan. 1, 2009.
Taipei, Taiwan
Fireworks explode from the Taipei 101 building during the New Year's celebrations, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009, in Taipei, Taiwan.
Japan
People crowd in front of an electric sign board reading 2009 to celebrate the New Year at Zojoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009.
Malaysia
Performers dressed in costumes walk on a street during a New Year's Eve celebration in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.
Afghanistan
U.S. soldiers dance during a New Year celebration at their camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.
India
School children sit near a photo print of a martyrs memorial as they form the figure 2009 and salute the martyrs of the nation during a celebration welcoming the new year in Ahmadabad, India, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. The word "Salaam" in Hindi means salute.
Scotland
Revelers enjoy Hogmanay celebrations on Princes Street in Scotland's capital city Edinburgh, late Wednesday, Dec 31, 2008. Hundreds of thousands braved chilly sub-zero weather to welcome in 2009 at outdoor street parties. Scottish revelers were joined by thousands of British and international visitors as a 100,000-strong crowd gathered in Edinburgh for the city's famous Hogmanay street party.
Key West Preps
Evalena Worthington rehearses being lowered from the mast of a sailing vessel late Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, behind the Schooner Wharf Bar in Key West, Fla. The Pirate Wench Drop is one of three Key West celebrations set for New Year's Eve to celebrate the dawn of 2009. Others include the descent of a conch shell at Sloppy Joe's Bar and the lowering of a drag queen in a reproduction of a woman's red shoe at another bar.