A couple watch as fireworks explode over Copacabana beach during New Year celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Jan. 1, 2016.Reuters
Fireworks are no longer just for the Fourth of July. In recent years, cities around the world have boasted impressive fireworks displays to ring in the new year, and some of the most incredible can be found in Las Vegas, Dubai, Sydney and Rio. The four cities saw massive crowds on New Year's Eve ring in 2016 by watching the shows.
Las Vegas shuts down its entire bustling strip each year to make way for its $500,000 fireworks display. Financed by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, fireworks are launched from the rooftops of seven hotels, including the MGM Grand, Aria, Planet Hollywood Resort, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, the Venetian and the Stratosphere. Last year, around 300,000 people gathered to watch the fireworks, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and this New Year's is expected to draw even larger crowds. The eight minute and 11-second choreographed show includes around 80,000 fireworks.
Fireworks explode over the Las Vegas Strip just after midnight, Jan. 1, 2016. Reuters
Massive crowds gather each year in Dubai beneath the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, to ring in the new year. Dubai broke the world record in 2014 for longest and largest fireworks display and more than 650,000 people are expected to watch the 10-minute show at midnight Saturday.
Fireworks explode over the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai during New Year celebrations, Jan. 1, 2016.Reuters
Fireworks explode over Dubai's Burj Khalifa to ring in the new year, Jan. 1, 2016.Reuters
Fireworks explode over the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Jan. 1, 2016.Reuters
Sydney boasts two separate fireworks displays on New Year's each year: one for the early birds and children and another for night owls who make it to midnight. The first takes place at 9 p.m. when fireworks choreographed to children's music are launched from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and four barges in the harbor. The second show is at midnight, a 12-minute display in which fireworks are released from seven barges, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as Australia's largest city ushers in the New Year, Jan. 1, 2016Reuters
Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House in a 9 p.m. display before the midnight fireworks which will usher in the new year in Australia's largest city, Dec. 31, 2015.Reuters
Celebrations spring up all over Rio on New Year's Eve. Brazil attracts an estimated two million people each year to celebrate the holiday, according to its tourism bureau. Fireworks displays are shown in a variety of areas, the most notable being Copacabana Beach. Fireworks there start at the stroke of midnight and are synchronized to music for eleven minutes.
People watch as fireworks explode over Copacabana beach during New Year celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Jan.1, 2016. Reuters
A couple watch as fireworks explode over Copacabana beach during New Year celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Jan. 1, 2016Reuters
