2024: Countries That Get To Enter The New Year First

As the world count down to the last day of the year, Nigeria will join a host of other countries across the say goodbye to 2023 and welcome the New Year 2024.

However some countries get to enter the new year earlier than others as a result of time zone difference.Therefore, let’s meet the first country to say ‘Happy New Year’.

The Pacific nation of Kiribati will be the first to celebrate the new year while we are still at 10 a.m. in Nigeria.

Specifically, Kiritimati Island will taste 2024 first. It is part of the Republic of Kiribati. Also called “Christmas Island”, it is in the farthest forward time zone. Imagine full 19 hours ahead of New York City.

Okay, NYC is far from us. Kiritimati Island is 13 hours ahead of Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, FCT. So far!

Now, an hour after Kiritimati Island sees the new year, Auckland, New Zealand, will start saying ‘Happy New Year’. That’s around 11 a.m. Nigerian time.

The last place to join the new year train will be Baker Island. Now, wonder of wonders! Baker Island is 650 miles (1 046.074 kilometres) from Kiribati. However, it is about 26 hours behind due to time zones quirk.

Meanwhile, over 100,000 people are expected to watch London’s sold-out New Year’s Eve display in person.

But, these time zones magic should humble us to disturb less with “Happy New Year”. For some have been in 2024 for almost half a day before you. No, it shouldn’t spoil the fun.

Hafsoh Isiaq

Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.

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