IN PICS: "Happy New Year"

JAN 1: The Pacific nation of Kiribati was the first to welcome in the new year, followed by New Zealand an hour later - and thousands gathered in Sydney for the Australian city's renowned fireworks display.

Later, as the new year swept west through Europe and Africa, more cities welcomed 2023 with large crowds, fireworks, concerts and parties.

But there's plenty still to come, with the whole of north and south America set to mark the start of the new year.

Here are some pictures taken from BBC: