A Sri Lankan traditional dancer performs in Colombo on December 31, 2011. The ceremony was conducted to ward off bad spirits in the 2012 New Year.
- [ISHARA S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images]

Fireworks light up the skyline over Sydney Harbour during the midnight fireworks session as Sydney Celebrates New Year's on January 1, 2012, in Sydney, Australia.
- [Ryan Pierse/Getty Images]

People gather to celebrate the New Year 2012 at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on January 1, 2012.
- [LIU JIN/AFP/Getty Images]

Young people celebrates New Year's Day at Tokyo's Shibuya district on January 1, 2012.
- [YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images]

A Pakistani barber gives a 2012 hair cut on a man to celebrate New Year's at a barber shop in Rawalpindi, on December 31, 2011.
- [STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images]

Musicians perform in the streets of Johannesburg on December 31, 2011, during the New Year's carnival.
- [STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images]

Fireworks explode in downtown Jakarta's sky during the New Year 2012 celebrations on December 31, 2011.
- [BAY ISMOYO/AFP/Getty Images]