Celebrations heralding the advent of New Year have begun across the globe. In Australia, hundreds of thousands of people gathered for fireworks displays around the country. <br/><br/>In New Zealand thousands of people gathered in Auckland to celebrate the arrival of 2016. Auckland's Sky Tower hosted a laser show and fireworks display. Samoa and Kiribati were the first countries in the Pacific to welcome 2016. As the New Year sweeps across Asia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing and other major cities will kick off their own grand celebrations. <br/><br/>In Egypt, festivities will be staged in front of the pyramids near Cairo, as the government works to revive its tourist industry. Meanwhile, in Dubai, an extravagant display will illuminate the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, with 400,000 LED lights and 1.6 tons of fireworks set to be used.<br/><br/>When 2016 hits Europe, approximately one million people will countdown at the Brandenburg Gate in Germany's capital, Berlin. Despite security fears across the continent, many major public events are going ahead, with heightened security restrictions. More than 100 thousand people are expected to watch the Mayor of London's fireworks show, a ticketed event.<br/><br/>Authorities in the Belgian capital Brussels have called off the city's traditional New Year's Eve fireworks display because of fears of a terror attack.Paris will still hold celebrations without the display at the Champs-Elysee. <br/><br/>As 2016 finally reaches the Americas, up to a million people are expected to converge on Times Square in New York, amid tight security, to watch the famous ball descend.<br/><br/>On Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach, crowds will not only mark the New Year – they will also fete the 100th anniversary of Samba music, and the upcoming summer Olympics.