Now playing Next Australia 'Welcome 2022!': Sydney sees in New Year with dazzling fireworks show The Australian city shrugged off a COVID surge with a spectacular Harbour Bridge display, while in New Zealand Auckland's celebration was a far more low-key affair. 31/12/2021
Now playing Next world news Europe cracks down on New Year celebrations amid COVID-19 records Across Europe, New Year celebrations are scaled down and restrictions imposed as countries experience a massive surge in coronavirus infections. 31/12/2021
Now playing Next Culture news Greek government bans music on New Year's Eve The spread of the omicron measurement has prompted the measure, the latest in a raft of restrictions introduced across Europe this winter. 30/12/2021
Now playing Next no comment Santa Race in North Macedonia and in Russia Hundreds dress up as Santa for annual race in Skopje and in St Petersburg 27/12/2021
Now playing Next United Kingdom London's 'Big Ben' fully visible again to ring in the New Year "It's an international symbol, an international symbol of democracy, and [...] it was the only bell allowed to ring during the Second World War. So that was the sound of liberty and hope." 23/12/2021
Now playing Next no comment One of Europe's biggest and oldest lottery draws kicks off in Madrid One of Europe's biggest and oldest lottery draws kicks off in Madrid 22/12/2021
Now playing Next no comment Santa Claus roams Christian town of Iraq, "putting smiles on children's faces" Locals dressed up as Santa Claus roam the streets of al-Hamdaniya, a Christian town overrun by the Islamic State group in 2014, in the Nineveh governorate of Iraq, distributing sweets to children to "put a smile on their faces". 21/12/2021
Now playing Next world news Better to cancel Christmas events than grieve later, warns WHO chief "An event cancelled is better than a life cancelled," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday, highlighting data suggesting Omicron spreads "significantly faster" than the Delta variant. 21/12/2021
Now playing Next no comment Ice sculptors transform a Russian city into a winter wonderland Working in subzero temperatures, ice sculptors have turned the Siberian city of Tomsk into a winter wonderland. It's all part of the Crystal Tomsk ice sculpture festival where 16 sculptor teams compete for a top prize. 20/12/2021
Now playing Next no comment Kyoto entertainers perform New Year greeting ritual In Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto, professional female entertainers known as "geiko," and their apprentices known as "maiko," have started offering early New Year's greetings. 13/12/2021
Now playing Next no comment Hundreds dressed as Santa run down Athen streets Hundreds of people dressed up in red and white Santa Claus costumes to take part Sunday in Athens' seventh charity Santa Run. 12/12/2021
Now playing Next no comment Budapest embraces the Christmas spirit Budapest's Christmas market is welcoming visitors for the first time since the start of the pandemic. 02/12/2021
Now playing Next no comment Lord Mayor of the City of London unveils a rubbish Christmas tree The Lord Mayor of the City of London unveils a Christmas tree made out of waste at his official residence, Mansion House. 01/12/2021
Now playing Next no comment Penguins post Christmas wishes to Santa Zookeepers at ZSL London Zoo have been helping their resident penguins post Christmas wishes to Santa this week. 25/11/2021
Now playing Next no comment -"Santa of Jerusalem" visits Sea of Galilee ahead of Christmas Bringing presents and a tree, Issa Kassissieh, better known as the Santa Claus of Jerusalem, arrives in the Sea of Galilee on his kayak to bring joy to the children in anticipation of Christmas. 10/11/2021
Now playing Next no comment Gazans celebrate escape of six Palestinians from Israeli prison Gazans celebrate the escape of 6 Palestinian prisoners from an Israeli prison in northern Israel through a tunnel dug beneath a sink, triggering a massive manhunt for the group that includes a prominent ex-militant. 06/09/2021
Now playing Next China Happy Lunar New Year: Welcome the Year of the Ox! It's one of the globe’s biggest annual celebrations with approximately one-fifth of humanity taking part in the festivities. Though the pandemic has closed temples and severely limited travel and family gatherings, many traditional celebrations ARE going ahead across Asia and beyond. 12/02/2021
Now playing Next People How to celebrate Chinese New Year at home With Chinese New Year plans on pause this year, we explore how you can recreate the festivities at home. 09/02/2021
Now playing Next no comment Bulgarian villagers chase away evil with bonfire feast and dancing Every year on the night of January 13, villagers in Bulgaria gather in a festival to scare away evil and bring good health and bountiful crops. 14/01/2021
Now playing Next no comment Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria ignore COVID advice for Epiphany Orthodox Christian churches in Greece, Bulgaria and Romania celebrate Epiphany on January 6 06/01/2021