(CNN)As 2016 draws to a close — a fact unlamented by many — countries across the globe have been ringing in the new year. Hello, 2017 — here we come!
As the hours unleashed a domino effect of celebrations starting in the easternmost parts of the world, revelers in the United States prepared early for the ball — or indeed, other things — to drop.
Many Americans contemplated turning the page on a year that was a political roller coaster.
<
ul class=”cn” cn-list-hierarchical-xs cn–idx-4 cn-zoneadcontainer”>
On a day for good cheer, President-elect Donald Trump delivered — tweeted — a special end-of-year message to his fellow Americans:
“Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don’t know what to do. Love!”
In New York’s Times Square, Ben Von Klemperer took in the heightened security as the gates opened more than 12 hours before the big celebration.
Mother Nature cooperated — somewhat — with temperatures climbing from the high 30s to the low 40s during the afternoon hours.
Many bundled up on cordoned-off streets to claim their positions hours before Gotham’s traditional midnight ball drop.
Across the Atlantic, European cities including Berlin, London, Paris and Rome stepped up security ahead of their celebrations, following truck-ramming attacks in 2016 on crowds in Berlin and Nice, France.
France
Thousands of people in Paris flooded the Champs-Elyses to watch the fireworks at the Arc de Triomphe.
Syria
In war-ravaged Syria, where skirmishes and airstrikes threaten a fragile ceasefire, 2017 arrived with the hope of peace.
Russia
Fireworks soared above the Kremlin, bathing the Moscow River with splashes of red and yellow light.
Philippines
At Manila’s Ocean Park, Kevin Gener photographed shafts of crimson light rising over the marine theme park.
Riley Nolan marveled at the illuminated outlines of the Philippines’ financial hub in the city of Makati.
Japan
Asimina Tzatha stood with revelers in Tokyo, cheerily dispatching the final 12 seconds of 2016.
HAPPY NEW YEAR from Tokyo Japan #newyears #lifestyle #tokyo #japan #shibuya #2017
South Korea
In Seoul, Boram Brian Kim took video of fireworks over the bustling streets of the South Korean capital. His favorite memory of 2016, he said, was “traveling in Europe and southeast Asia and getting to meet a lot of new people.”
Australia
The palm trees and glass high-rises of Brisbane glowed under bursts of light.
In Melbourne, Instagram user Nathanael Campbell captured the magnificent, cacophonous crescendo marking the end of 2016. Still, despite the impressive display, he said: “I think winning my league bowling award in cricket was my highlight for 2016.”
2017 #newyears #melbourne #fireworks
And more spectacular fireworks rocketed from the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and from barges on the water beneath.
<
div class=”el__embedded” el__embedded–fullwidth”>
The evening’s pyrotechnics, a family display at 9 p.m. and a midnight show, included tributes to Prince — in the form of a shower of purple rain — and David Bowie, both of whom died in 2016.
Celebrating the start of the new year in style! #happynewyear #2017 #sydneyfireworks
New Zealand
Among the first to celebrate was New Zealand, where flashes of light cut through the skies over Auckland’s Sky Tower.
Happy new year everyone woo-hoo…. #2017 #letsgo
For those who can’t wait to see what 2017 holds, a dozen CNN commentators peered into a crystal ball to come up with their best guesses