The Pacific island nation of Kiribati has once again upheld its unique distinction as the first country in the world to welcome the New Year. On the nation’s Kiritimati (Christmas) Island, the clock struck midnight ahead of every other region on the planet, and locals celebrated the arrival of 2026 with festive joy.
Located in the central Pacific Ocean, Kiribati lies south of Hawaii and northeast of Australia. The island nation stretches nearly 4,000 kilometres from east to west and is made up of numerous coral atolls. Locals refer to the country as “Kiribas.” It gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1979.
Kiribati is home to the largest marine reserve in the South Pacific, featuring extensive coral reefs many of which are uninhabited by marine life. These low‑lying reefs face increasing risk of submersion due to rising sea levels.
With a population of just 116,000, Kiribati sits almost directly south of Hawaii geographically. However, because of the International Date Line, Kiribati celebrates the New Year a full day earlier than Hawaii. This is why it becomes the first nation on Earth to welcome each new year including 2026.
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