America welcomes 2012: One MILLION revellers gather in Times Square for star-studded night as they celebrate a hopeful and peaceful new year

An astounding one million revellers erupted in cheers amid a confetti-filled celebration in New York's Times Square to welcome in the new year, part of star-studded celebrations and glittering fireworks displays around the world to usher in 2012.

From New Zealand to New York, the world eagerly welcomed a new year Sunday and hoped for a better future, saying goodbye to a year of hurricanes, tsunamis and economic turmoil that many would rather forget.

In New York, hundreds of thousands gathered at the crossroads of the world to witness a crystal ball with more than 30,000 lights descended at midnight. Lady Gaga and Mayor Michael Bloomberg led the crowd in the final-minute countdown of the famed crystal-paneled ball drop.

 Welcoming the new year: Tons of confetti fell on the one million revellers in Times Square at the stroke of midnight

Black and bejeweled: Lady Gaga helped bring in the new year with performances and donned several outlandish outfits throughout the night.

Team heartthrob: Justin Bieber also performed and as he played the piano Carlos Santana showed off his skills on the guitar.

Looking glittery as the orb itself, Lady Gaga was invited by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to press the crystal button at 11.59pm that triggered the decent of the 2012 New Year’s Eve Ball – a dazzling sphere 12 feet in diameter that weighs 11,875 pounds.

More than one ton of confetti – some of it inscribed with wishes for the New Year written by people across the globe –descended on the revellers in New York, who enjoyed an unseasonably warm New Year's.

Dick Clark – who has hosted his New Year’s Eve special since the 1970s – is again being helped this year by his protege Ryan Seacrest for the 40th anniversary of the show. The ABC special has been expanded and now begins at 8pm, making the six-hour broadcast the longest ever.

LONDON: Fireworks light up the sky and Big Ben just after midnight

VIENNA: The number 2012 is written with sparklers during a long exposure in front of St Stephen's Cathedral during New Year's Eve celebrations

MOSCOW: Thousands of people watched the fireworks explode during the new year's day celebration on Red Square

BEIJING: The Circular Mound is illuminated with a variety of colourful lights as China celebrates 2012 at the Temple of Heaven Park

SINGAPORE: Spectacular scenes could be seen from across the city as fireworks exploded over Marina Bay during the New Year celebrations

MALAYSIA: Fireworks display near the country's landmark Petronas twin towers during the New Year celebrations as the clock strikes 12

PHILIPPINES: A huge fireworks and water fountain display marks the New Year at Manila's Rizal Park

 GERMANY: Fireworks explode before New Year celebrations over the 'Golden Victoria' on top of Berlin's landmark victory column.

TAIWAN: Colourful fireworks explode from the country's tallest skyscraper Taipei 101 and light up the night sky as the country celebrates the start of 2012 

SYDNEY: Thousands of people gathered to watch the impressive display as Australia welcomed in the New Year2011

AUSTRALIA: A red hue lights up the sky over the Sydney Opera House. More than a million people gathered to watch and then celebrate 2012