How the world prepares for New Year's Eve - in pictures

Edinburgh, Scotland: Some of the 5.5 tonnes of fireworks at Edinburgh Castle for the city's Hogmanay celebrations Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Madrid, Spain: A clockmaker checks and adjusts the Puerta del Sol Square clock, the emblematic chronometer that will ring the bells bidding farewell to 2011 and welcoming the new year Photograph: Emilio Naranjo/EPA

New York, USA: Organisers toss confetti from a window during the annual air worthiness test in Times Square during preparations for New Year's Eve celebrations Photograph: Lucas Jackson/Reuters

Ahmedabad, India: A man has his beard trimmed into the shape of 2012 to welcome the New Year Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

Hong Kong: Models wearing different national costumes smile during a promotional event outside the Times Square shopping mall, a popular New Year countdown venue Photograph: Aaron Tam/AFP/Getty Images

Beijing, China: A lighting test for the new year gala at the Temple of Heaven Park Photograph: ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images

Tokyo, Japan: Shoppers crowd a narrow street in the Ameyoko district to buy groceries in preparation for the new year's holiday, one of the most important events in Japan Photograph: Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images

Bocaue, Philippines: Women make pyrotechnics in a backyard factory for new year Photograph: Romeo Ranoco/Reuters

New York, USA: Workers install some of the 288 Waterford crystals, featuring this year's Let There Be Friendship design, on the Times Square New Year's Eve ball Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Yaxi village, China: A man yawns as he makes red lanterns with other workers for the upcoming Chinese lunar new year Photograph: AP

Singapore: Marina Bay Sands is lit up by a spectacular light display during rehearsals for New Year's celebrations Photograph: Lionel Ng/Getty Images

Jakarta, Indonesia: A vendor waits for customers as he sell paper trumpets for New Year's Eve Photograph: Adi Weda/EPA