China's HK, Macao usher in 2026 with vibrant celebrations

Large crowds in China's Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions (SARs) gathered for light shows, music and dance on Wednesday night, as they bade farewell to 2025 and welcomed in the New Year.

In Hong Kong's Central business district, the main celebrations ran from 11:30 p.m. to midnight, drawing both residents and visitors to mark the start of the new year together.

Live concerts featured international stars like pop duo Air Supply, along with local singers Jay Fung and Cloud Wan, as well as performances by a children’s choir and the Hong Kong Police Band.

Eight iconic landmarks in Central were transformed into giant digital clocks through light projections, which at midnight displayed messages of hope and greetings for the new year.

Among the crowds, people wished each other the best for the new year.

"Hopefully everything goes well for my life and my family. Find a great job. Travel around the world," said a reveler.

"I hope to be braver in 2026 and receive an offer (for my dream school)," said another member of the crowd.

"May the days ahead be brighter, may I land my dream job, and may all be blessed with joy and well-being," another said.

"My New Year’s resolution is to keep staying here. I’d really like it to stay in Hong Kong," said a foreign resident.

Other live countdown zones were set up in other parts of the city including Chater Garden and Edinburgh Place and riverside along the Victoria Harbor. Events also took place in Hong Kong Disneyland and the West Kowloon Cultural District.

In Macao, a countdown show was held at the Taipa Houses Museum, where local artists joined hands with performers from Vietnam, India, and other countries to wow spectators with a medley of singing, dancing, and magic shows.

At Sai Van Lake Square, another countdown concert was held, with guests and around 8,000 celebrators ringing in the New Year at the stroke of midnight.

Revelers expressed good wishes for the prosperity of the motherland and Macao in 2026.

"I hope everyone can achieve more breakthroughs in 2026, and I also wish our country greater prosperity and peace. I believe Macao will definitely have a better tomorrow," said Fu Tung Lung, a resident of Macao.

In 2025, we witnessed the successful hosting of the 15th National Games in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, proving that the connection between the three places is becoming increasingly close. In the new year, I wish Macao prosperity and stability. I believe that we, the youth of Macao, can all develop better and better in the Greater Bay Area," said Leong Ka Lai, a Macao resident.

"In the new year, I wish everyone good health, peace and happiness. I wish our motherland prosperity and Macao an ever-improving future. Happy New Year to everyone!" said Yau Kwok Ching, another resident.

China's HK, Macao usher in 2026 with vibrant celebrations

Bulgaria joined the eurozone and adopted the euro as its official currency on New Year's Day, becoming the 21st member of the euro area.

To ensure a smooth transition to the new currency, throughout January, the Bulgarian lev will remain in circulation alongside the euro. Starting Feb. 1, the euro will become the country's sole legal tender.

From Jan. 1 to June 30, the exchange of lev for euros is free of charge at banks and post offices. After this period, currency exchanges will be subject to a fee.

The Bulgarian National Bank has stated that it will exchange levs for euros indefinitely, continuing the process for as long as necessary. But it added that the mandatory dual pricing of goods and services in euro and lev will end on Aug. 8, 2026. Officials and experts have expressed their confidence in the transition process.

Vladimir Ivanov, chairman of Bulgaria's State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Markets, described 2025 as a year of market stabilization in a brief meeting, saying he expected 2026 to begin similarly, "especially after transaction costs decrease with the introduction of the euro."

Nikolay Valkanov, executive director of the Association for Modern Trade, also said in an interview that retailers, from large chains to small shops, had made significant efforts to ensure a smooth transition to the new currency.

Eurozone accession has been a central priority for the Bulgarian government ever since the country joined the EU in 2007.

It was not until June 4, 2025, that the European Commission announced Bulgaria had met all convergence criteria. On July 8, 2025, the Council of the European Union formally approved Bulgaria's adoption of the euro, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The eurozone came into existence with the official launch of the euro on Jan. 1, 1999, in 11 countries including France, Germany and Austria.

Currently among the 27 EU countries, there are still six members, namely Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Denmark, that have not yet adopted the euro.

Bulgaria officially adopts euro with short transition period