New Year's Eve celebrations have already begun in Sydney today, with fireworks exploding over the city's iconic Opera House as Australia begins its final countdown to 2010.
Up to 1.5 million New Year's revellers have pitched tents and opened picnic baskets in in the city today to get one of the world's biggest parties started - bidding farewell to a tough year and welcoming a new decade.
Preparations were under way across the world for pyrotechnics, parties and prayers in the final countdown to 2010, with far eastern points in Oceania and Asia the first to herald the end of the period dubbed 'the Noughties'.
Let the party begin: The '9pm early New Year's Eve fireworks' based on the theme 'Awaken the Spirit' explode over the Sydney Harbour from six barges three hours before midnight today
Welcome 2010: The skies above the harbour were alight with fireworks
There were also reminders of threats and the fight against terrorism that during the decade led to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and rising militant violence in Pakistan.
The U.S. Embassy in Indonesia warned of a possible terrorist attack on the resort island of Bali on New Year's Eve, citing information from the island's governor. The e-mail warning to U.S. citizens said predominantly Muslim Indonesia's counterterrorism efforts have been partly successful in recent years, but violent extremists continue to pose a deadly threat.
Signs of economic recovery emerged late in 2009, but the year may be one that many people are glad to put behind them.
'I think 2010 will be a good year - you can never tell, but I think so,' said Marek Kiera, a Sydney property investor who watched interest rates tumble amid the global financial crisis.
New decade: Sydney's fireworks are just the start of New Year's celebrations across the globe
Organisers said 1.5 million people were expected to line the shore for the annual fireworks extravaganza over Sydney's landmark harbour bridge and opera house - the centrepiece of Australia's celebrations that generates some of the most striking images from a night of revelry across the globe.
Smaller fireworks displays and partying were planned across Australia and the South Pacific, the first region to greet each new day because of its proximity to the International Date Line.
In New Zealand, dance parties, bands and fireworks were planned in the main cities, and live entertainment in many holiday spots, including the southern tourist spot of Queenstown. In the capital, Wellington, celebrations included a display by world unicycle games competitors.
Asia will be partying, too, though probably not as hard as most of Europe and the Americas. The world's most populous nation, 1.3-billion-strong China, uses a different calendar that will mark the new year in February. Islamic nations such as Pakistan and Afghanistan also use a different calendar.
Ringside seat: Spectators gather early on the shorelines of Sydney Harbour to secure the best possible view ahead of the midnight fireworks display. Over 1.5 million were expected to watch 120,000 pyrotechnics usher in New Year's Day
Pyrotechnics displays were planned to illuminate Hong Kong's crowded skyline, high-glitz parties were planned in Singapore and thousands were expected to gather at Indonesia's national monument in the capital, Jakarta, for a fireworks show.
Millions of Japanese were to welcome the new year by flocking to shrines to pray for good fortune in 2010.
In Tokyo, the Sensoji temple was draped with banners greeting the new year in preparation for traditional New Year's Day ceremonies when thousands of people pray for good fortune. Shoppers mobbed the city, stocking up on seafood and other items.
In Sydney, crowds defied grey skies and drizzling rain in the middle of summer to line parks and public places along the harbour. High-rise apartments with water views prepared for toney parties.
Sydney revellers were asked to wear something blue, the colour chosen to match the fireworks show's theme: Awaken the Spirit.
The celebrations have also begun in New Zeland as fireworks from Auckland's Sky Tower mark the start of the New Year today
In other cities such as Melbourne and Adelaide, revellers sweltered in 100 degree F (38 degree C) heat.
Thousands of police were deployed across Australia to guard against alcohol-fuelled misbehaviour, with commanders warning that troublemakers should stay home or face jail.
In Turkey, Istanbul Gov. Muammer Guler said authorities were deploying around 2,000 police officers around Taksim Square to prevent pickpockets and the molestation of women that have marred New Year celebrations in the past. Some officers would be under cover, disguised as street vendors or 'even in Santa Claus dress,' Guler said.
Firecrackers were already exploding across the Netherlands early today on the only day of the year the Dutch are allowed to set off fireworks.
Unlike countries like Australia, the vast majority of fireworks shows in the Netherlands are do-it-yourself affairs where families spill onto the street in front of their homes and light strings of fire crackers and other fireworks.
Many Dutch families also fire up their deep-fat frying pans on New Year's Eve to cook the traditional treat of oliebollen - deep-fried balls of dough laced with raisins and dusted with icing sugar.
