New Year’s celebrations kick off in some countries, while Africa has to wait for several hours to usher in 2017 (Photos)

From parades and pigs to world-famous fireworks, we watch as countries across the globe bring in the new year

While Britain, Africa and other continents still have half a day to go until we welcome in 2017, countries around the world are already kicking off their New Year celebrations – with the first being the small Pacific island of Tonga.

Festivities are beginning across the globe as each country celebrates at different times and in its own way.

Australia was one of the first to celebrate the new year in style

Fireworks go off on Sydney Harbour Bridge as the Australian city celebrates at midnight with the coming of the new year

The display, one of the most grand in the world, began at around 1pm GMT

Fireworks explode over the Sydney Opera House during an early evening display in the lead up to the main New Year’s Eve fireworks

Thousands watched as the sky across the city was lit up by a dazzling display

More fireworks will be let off in Sydney as the clock ticks towards midnight in the city

Thousands poured into the harbour for the fireworks celebrations in Australia

Crowds gather at McMahons Point on New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour

Tonga welcomed in 2017 at 10am GMT today – a full three hours before it reaches Australia, which is often associated with being the first to enter a new year due to its famous Sydney Harbour fireworks display.

The offices of the mayor of Moscow in Tverskaya Street in central Moscow ready for the big celebration

The SkyTower firework display during New Year’s Eve celebrations on January 1, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand

Tourists pose at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour waiting for the New Years Eve fireworks

Culled from The Sun