Millions of revellers have seen in the new year with fireworks spectaculars in London and Edinburgh dazzling crowds. Thousands gathered along the Thames to see a dazzling display centring on the London Eye, accompanied by a electronic soundtrack and followed by Auld Lang Syne.
Tickets were introduced for the first time in London, with numbers kept to 100,000, down on the estimated 500,00 last year. Meanwhile, up to 75,000 people are expected to gather on the streets of Edinburgh for the world-famous event which will see Lily Allen headline the Concert In The Gardens.
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "Happy New Year." Some of the replies were not so cordial. The London ticketing scheme was brought in following consultation with the Metropolitan Police, emergency services, and local authorities, to help manage crowd numbers which have been growing each year.
Since first being staged at the London Eye on the South Bank in 2003, the numbers heading to see the pyrotechnic and lighting display have increased from an estimated 100,000 people in its first year to around 500,000 last year, putting enormous strain on transport, infrastructure and the ability of the emergency services to move around.
Services braced themselves for a busy night, with London Ambulance Service expecting up to 600 calls an hour, operations director Jason Killens said on Twitter. He said: "Over 100 emergency calls in the first 15 minutes since midnight - its getting busy this London NYE."
In Edinburgh, thousands took part in the huge outdoor celebrations before the clock struck midnight, with singer Lily Allen headlining the Concert in the Gardens joined by special guests Bjorn Again and Soul II Soul. The world-famous street party also saw performances from Twin Atlantic, Twilight Sad, Eddi Reader and this year's Mercury Prize-winners, the Edinburgh-based act Young Fathers.
The traditional outdoor ceilidh also saw 3,000 people dancing through the midnight bells. Elsewhere, celebrations at Stirling Castle's esplanade were cancelled due to high winds.
New Year's Celebrations Around The World
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Fireworks light up the London skyline and Big Ben just after midnight on January 1, 2015 in London, England. Thousands of people lined the banks of the River Thames in central London to see in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display. (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
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Fireworks explode around the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye during the New Year celebrations in central London just after midnight on January 1, 2015. (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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Fireworks explode above the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye during the New Year celebrations in central London just after midnight on January 1, 2015. (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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Fireworks explode above the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye during the New Year celebrations in central London just after midnight on January 1, 2015. (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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Fireworks explode above the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye during the New Year celebrations in central London just after midnight on January 1, 2015. (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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Fireworks explode around the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye during the New Year celebrations in central London just after midnight on January 1, 2015. (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
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Fireworks explode over the clock known as 'Big Ben' housed in Elizabeth Tower, to celebrate the New Year in London, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Fireworks explode over the clock known as 'Big Ben' housed in Elizabeth Tower, to celebrate the New Year in London, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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People cheer during the New Year's Eve countdown event in front of Beijing's National Stadium, Known as the Bird's Nest in Beijing on January 1, 2015. (credit:WANG ZHAO via Getty Images)
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People look at fireworks during a New Year Celebration in Manila on January 1, 2015. (credit:NOEL CELIS via Getty Images)
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Fireworks explode over the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge during New Years Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. Thousands of people crammed into Lady Macquaries Chair look-out to see the new year in and watch the annual fireworks show. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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People gather to celebrate the New Year at the Imjingak Pavilion near the border village of Panmunjom, which has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War, in Paju, north of Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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People are gathered as fireworks explode over the Yokohama port during new year celebrations in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the traditional fireworks show held at midnight on December 31, 2014. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PETER PARKS via Getty Images)
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: Fireworks explode off the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the midnight fireworks display on New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour on December 31, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (credit:Cameron Spencer via Getty Images)
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: Fireworks explode off the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the midnight fireworks display on New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour on December 31, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (credit:Cameron Spencer via Getty Images)
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: Fireworks explode off the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the midnight fireworks display on New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour on December 31, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (credit:Cameron Spencer via Getty Images)
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: Fireworks explode off the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the midnight fireworks display on New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour on December 31, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (credit:Cameron Spencer via Getty Images)
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 1: New Years Eve midnight fireworks over Sydney Harbour, January 1, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo Wolter Peeters/Fairfax Media) (credit:Fairfax Media via Getty Images)
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 1: New Years Eve midnight fireworks over Sydney Harbour, January 1, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo Wolter Peeters/Fairfax Media) (credit:Fairfax Media via Getty Images)
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New Year's fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the traditional fireworks at midnight on January 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAEED KHAN via Getty Images)
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New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the traditional fireworks show held at midnight on December 31, 2014. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PETER PARKS via Getty Images)
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New Year's fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the traditional fireworks at midnight on January 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAEED KHAN via Getty Images)
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New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the traditional fireworks show held at midnight on January 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Peter PARKS (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PETER PARKS via Getty Images)
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New Year's fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the traditional fireworks at midnight on January 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAEED KHAN via Getty Images)
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New Year's fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the traditional fireworks at midnight on January 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAEED KHAN via Getty Images)
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New Year's fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the traditional fireworks at midnight on January 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAEED KHAN via Getty Images)
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New Year's fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the traditional fireworks at midnight on January 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAEED KHAN via Getty Images)
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Fireworks explode over the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge during New Years Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. Thousands of people crammed into Lady Macquaries Chair look-out to see the new year in and watch the annual fireworks show. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Fireworks explode over the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge during New Years Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. Thousands of people crammed into Lady Macquaries Chair look-out to see the new year in and watch the annual fireworks show. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Pakistanis tourists ride on boats during the last sunset of 2014 at a lake view point in Islamabad on December 31, 2014. AFP PHOTO / Aamir QURESHI (Photo credit should read AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:AAMIR QURESHI via Getty Images)
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NEW DELHI, INDIA - DECEMBER 31: Birds fly back to their nests during last sunset of the year 2014 on December 31, 2014 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Virendra Singh Gosain/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
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A Pakistani cyclist rides during the last sunset of the year on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Competitors run at the start of the Sao Silvestre race in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014. The 15-kilometer race is held annually on New Year's Eve. (AP Photo/Nelson Antoine) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 31: The New Year's Eve midnight fireworks display brings in the New Year on December 31, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. Wellington is the first capital city in the world to see in the New Year. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images) (credit:Hagen Hopkins via Getty Images)
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WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 31: The New Year's Eve midnight fireworks display brings in the New Year on December 31, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. Wellington is the first capital city in the world to see in the New Year. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images) (credit:Hagen Hopkins via Getty Images)
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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 01: Fireworks are let of the Sky Tower to bring in the new year on January 1, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images) (credit:Hannah Peters via Getty Images)
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WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 31: The New Year's Eve midnight fireworks display brings in the New Year on December 31, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. Wellington is the first capital city in the world to see in the New Year. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images) (credit:Hagen Hopkins via Getty Images)
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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 01: Firework display from the top of the Sky Tower to welcome the New Year on January 1, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Rowland via Getty Images)
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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 01: Firework display from the top of the Sky Tower to welcome the New Year on January 1, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Rowland via Getty Images)
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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 01: Firework display from the top of the Sky Tower to welcome the New Year on January 1, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Rowland via Getty Images)
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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 01: Firework display from the top of the Sky Tower to welcome the New Year on January 1, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images) (credit:Dave Rowland via Getty Images)
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People release balloons to celebrate the New Year during an annual countdown ceremony in Tokyo on January 1, 2015. Some 2,000 guests of the Prince Park Tower Tokyo released the balloons in the air, carrying with their new year wishes. AFP PHOTO / TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA (Photo credit should read TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA via Getty Images)
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South Koreans gather during the welcoming ceremony of the New Year at Imjingak peace park in the border city of Paju near the Demilitarized zone dividing the two Koreas on January 1, 2015. In a New Year's message, South Korean President Park Geun-Hye called on the military to maintain its readiness, saying robust security is a must to lay the groundwork for potential unification with North Korea. AFP PHOTO / JUNG YEON-JE (Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUNG YEON-JE via Getty Images)
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Japanese worshippers pray as they celebrate the New Year at the Kanda shrine in Tokyo on January 1, 2015. Million of Japanese people visit shrines and temples to pray for the well-being of their families at the New Year. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: Fireworks are displayed during the welcoming ceremony for the New Year on Sydney Harbor on December 31, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Recep Sakar/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 01: A view of the 'Midnight Fireworks' above the Sydney Harbour Bridge during New Year celebrations, in Sydney, Australia on January 01, 2015. (Photo by Recep Sakar/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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Fireworks explode over the Victoria Harbor as celebrating the 2015 new year in Hong Kong, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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People are gathered as fireworks explode over the Yokohama port during new year celebrations in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Fireworks explode over the Victoria Harbor as celebrating the 2015 new year in Hong Kong, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Buddhists place candles during New Year celebrations at Jogye Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Indian students form numbers representing the year 2015 during a function to welcome the New Year at a school in Ahmadabad, India, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 01: Fireworks light up from the Sydney Harbour Bridge during New Years Eve celebrations at Sydney Harbour on January 1, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Lionel Ng/Getty Images) (credit:Lionel Ng via Getty Images)
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Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on January 1, 2015. Just like previous years, the city's iconic skyline along Victoria Harbour will light up with an eight-minute pyrotechnic display, as tens of thousdands of partygoers will flock to the waterfront to celebrate. AFP PHOTO / ISAAC LAWRENCE (Photo credit should read Isaac Lawrence/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ISAAC LAWRENCE via Getty Images)
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 31: Children wearing 2015 head decorations pose for photographs for their mother during New Years Eve celebrations on Sydney Harbour on December 31, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Lionel Ng/Getty Images) (credit:Lionel Ng via Getty Images)
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A woman prays during New Year celebrations at Jogye Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (credit:Ahn Young-joon/AP)
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Midnight New Year's Eve Fireworks on Sydney Harbour at Mrs Macquarie's Point in Sydney on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. (AAP Image/Nikki Short) (credit:NIKKI SHORT/AAP)
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Midnight New Year's Eve Fireworks on Sydney Harbour at Mrs Macquarie's Point in Sydney on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. (AAP Image/Nikki Short) (credit:NIKKI SHORT/AAP)
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SHANGHAI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30: (CHINA OUT) Rehearsal of new year's Countdown Party - 5D Light Show for 2015, a year of sheep, is held at The Bund on December 30, 2014 in Shanghai, China. Shanghai held a rehearsal of 5D light show performance themed as 'Dream China, Activate Shanghai' to greet the new year's coming on December 30 at The Bund. The light show performance was presented with live-action performances and multi-media interactions. It was said that Shanghai had held four years' light show in the past during the upcoming new year. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)
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SHANGHAI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30: (CHINA OUT) Rehearsal of new year's Countdown Party - 5D Light Show for 2015, a year of sheep, is held at The Bund on December 30, 2014 in Shanghai, China. Shanghai held a rehearsal of 5D light show performance themed as 'Dream China, Activate Shanghai' to greet the new year's coming on December 30 at The Bund. The light show performance was presented with live-action performances and multi-media interactions. It was said that Shanghai had held four years' light show in the past during the upcoming new year. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)
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SHANGHAI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30: (CHINA OUT) Rehearsal of new year's Countdown Party - 5D Light Show for 2015, a year of sheep, is held at The Bund on December 30, 2014 in Shanghai, China. Shanghai held a rehearsal of 5D light show performance themed as 'Dream China, Activate Shanghai' to greet the new year's coming on December 30 at The Bund. The light show performance was presented with live-action performances and multi-media interactions. It was said that Shanghai had held four years' light show in the past during the upcoming new year. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)
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SHANGHAI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30: (CHINA OUT) Rehearsal of new year's Countdown Party - 5D Light Show for 2015, a year of sheep, is held at The Bund on December 30, 2014 in Shanghai, China. Shanghai held a rehearsal of 5D light show performance themed as 'Dream China, Activate Shanghai' to greet the new year's coming on December 30 at The Bund. The light show performance was presented with live-action performances and multi-media interactions. It was said that Shanghai had held four years' light show in the past during the upcoming new year. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)
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SHANGHAI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30: (CHINA OUT) Rehearsal of new year's Countdown Party - 5D Light Show for 2015, a year of sheep, is held at The Bund on December 30, 2014 in Shanghai, China. Shanghai held a rehearsal of 5D light show performance themed as 'Dream China, Activate Shanghai' to greet the new year's coming on December 30 at The Bund. The light show performance was presented with live-action performances and multi-media interactions. It was said that Shanghai had held four years' light show in the past during the upcoming new year. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)
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SHANGHAI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30: (CHINA OUT) Rehearsal of new year's Countdown Party - 5D Light Show for 2015, a year of sheep, is held at The Bund on December 30, 2014 in Shanghai, China. Shanghai held a rehearsal of 5D light show performance themed as 'Dream China, Activate Shanghai' to greet the new year's coming on December 30 at The Bund. The light show performance was presented with live-action performances and multi-media interactions. It was said that Shanghai had held four years' light show in the past during the upcoming new year. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)