What a show! Lady Gaga leads whole host of celebrity stars serenading Times Square crowd to celebrate New Year’s Eve in New York

By SARAH FITZMAURICE

Oh what is she like: The Born This Way, who is a native New Yorker star also kissed the ball

It is one of most iconic New Year’s Eve traditions and last night Lady Gaga led a galaxy of stars performing in Times Square to celebrate the New Year.
The kooky singer put on a stellar show in front of the one million revellers gathered in New York to welcome in 2012.
Gaga was joined by the likes of Justin Bieber, Pitbull, LMFAO, Florence and The Machine and The Band Perry who all took to the stage throughout the evening.

Glitter girl: Lady Gaga lead a whoe host of celebrities serenading the crowd in Times Square celebrating New Year's Eve

As ever the Born This Way singer did not disappoint and neither did her outfits with Gaga enjoying several wardrobe changes throughout the evening.
And when the time came activate the ball drop she was on hand to help New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

What an honour: The 25-year-old singer joined New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to activate the New Year's Eve ball drop

Oh what would the boy say? Gaga was seen kissing the Mayor to celebrate the arrival of 2012

Looking glittery as the orb itself, the singer 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.

Putting on a show: Gaga took to the stage earlier in the evening in an all black body suit with jewel embellishment

Hat's nice: Gaga donned a bizarre headpiece during her set which was as kooky as ever

Born this way: Gaga didn't disappoint her fans and was seen plenty plenty of effort into her performance

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.
Teen favourite Justin Bieber took to the stage alongside legendary guitar player Carlos Santana to perform the classic Beatles hit Let It Be.

Spiderlady: Gaga climbed high to serenade the crowd

Quirky: Gaga emerged in her glittering sequin covered ensemble

The 17-year-old showed off his piano skills as he spoke about New Year's resolutions but said 'what's done is done'.
Justin donned a bright red beanie a camel coloured coat a Burberry scarf and maroon jeans for the occasion for his performance.

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

Are you a belieber? The 17-year-old was dressed for the winter weather as he sang at the piano

Still feeling festive: Justin donned a bright red beanie a camel coloured coat a Burberry scarf and maroon jeans for the occasion

After the celebrations were over Lady Gaga took to Twitter to talk about her experience.
She posted: 'I cant even quite describe what tonight felt like. Sort of poetic madness. A dream come true. Moments recalling a leather taking the subway.'
She added: 'My new years resolution: Never be afraid to be kicked in the teeth. Let the blood and the bruises define your legacy.'
Before the actual show Lady Gaga had treated those revellers who had arrived early to a rehearsal performance as she practiced her routine.
The shiny, bejeweled number was teamed with a pair of retro sunglasses and a side ponytail, with the 25-year-old singer appearing to recycle a look from earlier in December.

Familiar face: Cee-Lo Green got out his fur coat for the occasion

Party people: Pitbull and Drake also took to the stage to perform

Happy couple: Giuliana Rancic and her husband Bill Rancic were also there to celebrate the new year

The Born This Way singer stepped out in the shades and a eccentric gold ensemble in Tokyo just before Christmas.
Wearing similar looks more than once is not typical of the kooky singer, who prides herself on putting on a show at all times for her 'little monster' fans.
Gaga is performing in New York tonight and the singer was seen making her way to rehearsals.
As well as the brash outfit Gaga carried a padded Chanel handbag and stepped out in sky high gold Christian Louboutin heels.

Looking to the past? Lady Gaga appears to have taken inspiration from the 1980's for her New Year's Eve look as she left her Manhattan hotel

Showing off her metal: The 25-year-old singer had donned a shiny gold bejeweled number, which she teamed with a pair of retro sunglasses and a side ponytail

Preview: The singer was seen practicing her set for fans in Times Square

The red sole of the shoes matched her red lips and her talon-like nails.
Revelers in Times Square were treated to a preview of tonight's performance and saw the signer rehearse her set.

Putting on a show: The singer looked every inch her star as she performed her set

Lady Gaga Time Square final count Live At New Year's Eve's 2012


source: dailymail

Singer Lady Gaga performs during New Year's Eve celebrations at Times Square in New York

Singer Lady Gaga performs during New Year's Eve celebrations at Times Square in New York, December 31, 2011.


Singer Lady Gaga kisses a crystal ball after performing during New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square in New York, December 31, 2011.


Singer Lady Gaga performs during New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square in New York, December 31, 2011.


Lady Gaga (C) performs in Times Square during a celebration to mark the start of the new year in New York, December 31, 2011.


Singer Lady Gaga performs during New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square in New York, December 31, 2011.


Singer Lady Gaga and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg activate the New Year's Eve ball during celebrations in Times Square in New York, December 31, 2011.


Singer Justin Bieber (centre, L) and Mexican rock guitarist Carlos Santana (centre, R) perform during New Year's Eve celebrations at Times Square in New York, December 31, 2011.


Singer Justin Bieber (R) performs with Mexican rock guitarist Carlos Santana (L) at Times Square during a celebration to mark the start of the new year in New York, December 31, 2011.


NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 31: Actress Emmy Rossum attends New Year's Eve 2012 With Carson Daly in Times Square on December 31, 2011 in New York City.


NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 31: Musicians Justin Bieber and Carlos Santana perform at New Year's Eve 2012 in Times Square on December 31, 2011 in New York City.


Singer Justin Bieber (L) and Mexican rock guitarist Carlos Santana perform during New Year's Eve celebrations at Times Square in New York, December 31, 2011.

source: daylife
photo : Reuters pictures

Here comes 2012! Big Ben lights up the sky with firework display to ring in Olympic new year

By PAMELA OWEN and ANNA EDWARDS

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

Revellers across the world are celebrating the end of 2011 and starting to see in 2012 with spectacular fireworks displays which lit up the night skies.
In London a dazzling fireworks display attracted thousands of people who clamoured to see the impressive display.
The London Eye and Big Ben were the focal point for the pyrotechnics, which London Mayor Boris Johnson said would be a fitting way to mark the start of an extraordinary year for the city.
There were some 12,000 fireworks, producing 50,000 projectiles, launched during the display, which is triggered by Big Ben's chimes and lasted for around 15 minutes.

LONDON: The dazzling display lasted for around 15 minutes in the capital

LONDON: The fireworks heralded the start of an exciting year for the capital, which will host the Olympic games

Mr Johnson had promised a 'glittering' show to highlight the exciting events that 2012 promised.
The Mayor of London's office said the display was the result of 12 months of planning. A crew of 306 has been working on the site since Boxing Day, with 1,803 staff - including stewards - on duty on the night itself.
There were 30 tonnes of equipment on the three fireworks barges on the river ready for the display, which was triggered by GPS to the chimes of Big Ben.
The start of the London fireworks was accompanied by a recording of the moment the capital learned it would host next summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games.

LONDON: Welcome to 2012! The show had an Olympian theme

LONDON: The display was the result of 12 months of planning with a crew of 306 working on the site since Boxing Day

LONDON: Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Our New Year fireworks were a brilliant start to a spectacular year.'

There was a distinctly Olympian theme to the display on the River Thames with fireworks launched over the London Eye in the shape and colours of the Olympic rings. The accompanying soundtrack saw Chariots of Fire kick off a medley of London-themed songs.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Our New Year fireworks were a brilliant start to a spectacular year.
'This is just the beginning - as the eyes of the world turn to London for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, there will be amazing events across the capital up to, during and beyond a summer like no other.'

LONDON: Fireworks explode over the Houses of Parliament

LONDON: The new year will host the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games

LONDON: Thousands lined up against the banks so they could watch the show

LONDON: Crowds gathered on Westminster Bridge in central London as they wait for New Years Eve fireworks to be set off

Revellers had travelled to London from around the world to welcome in 2012 and were thrilled by the dazzling display.
Horst Ritter, 41, an IT worker from Frankfurt, Germany, said: 'It was really fantastic, it was better than expectations. Absolutely a great start to 2012.
'The weather was fine and everything was perfect. Thank you to London for the great fireworks.'
Amy Malan, 32, a housewife from California, said: 'It was one of the best displays we have ever seen. It was more than we expected, so amazing.
'It was such a brilliant start to 2012, they were just never-ending, so great.'
London-themed songs accompanied the fireworks, which were expected to be watched on television by millions of people around the world.

SCOTLAND: Fireworks over Edinburgh Castle during celebrations to mark the new year at the Hogmanay street party

Sean Ingles, 23, had travelled from New Orleans in Louisiana to bring in the New Year in Edinburgh.
He said: 'I came with my dad who is originally from here, he moved to the States about 25 years ago and he brought us home for the good times.
'We came here just for Hogmanay, it's been great. I've met all kinds of great people in the crowd, it's just been fantastic.
'The atmosphere is brilliant, I feel right at home. New Orleans is such a friendly city and Scotland is very much the same. It was definitely worth the trip.'
Newlyweds Rob and Claire Atkins, from Nottingham, said the party had been the perfect end to the perfect year.
Mrs Atkins, 31, said: 'We got married earlier this year so 2011 has been brilliant, we like to think we're carrying on the celebrations tonight.'
Some 3,000 police officers are on duty overnight to deal with the crowds who have descended on the capital, not only on the banks of the Thames to watch the fireworks but also in Trafalgar Square.
Some were stationed on podiums to give them a bird's-eye view of any troublemakers in the crowds.

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

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

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

More than a million people gathered at mass at vantage points along the harbour to watch the pyrotechnics display in Sydney.
This year's theme was 'Time to Dream' and it is hoped it will help inspire those who have had a particularly bad 2011 to look forward to the year ahead.
Some of the fireworks exploded into shapes of clouds - because every one has a silver lining - and a series of colourful lights were beamed into the centre of the bridge forming an 'endless rainbow'.

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

NATO: Troops from the US led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and service members dance during their celebrations

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

KUALA LUMPUR: Three women, who wore illuminated bunny ears to get into the spirit

Thousands of people in Tokyo released balloons carrying hand-written wishes for the New year and in Hong Kong huge crowds turned out to witness the countdown which was illuminated by numbers on the side of a skyscraper.
Taiwan celebrated by lighting up the world's second-tallest building, Taipei 101 with a display of fireworks.
The New Year's Eve party on the island of Samoa started a whole day earlier than normal after the South Pacific nation moved 24 hours into the future, making it the first to see in the new year.
People began celebrating as soon as the clocked ticked over from Thursday, December 29, skipping Friday and moving straight onto Saturday, December 31 at 12.01am.

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

Samao and neighbouring Tokelau lie near the date line in the Pacific Ocean and both islands decided to realign themselves from the Americas side to the Asia side in order to be more in line with major trading partners. It is hoped the move will help improve the economy.
Pools and beaches have been packed with Samoans and tourists who are keen to be the first to celebrate rather than the last.

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 Year

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

Elsewhere across globe millions of people are preparing to say goodbye to a year that saw mass uprisings in several Arab countries, the deaths of Osama Bin Laden, Muammar Gaddafi and Kim Jong-Il.
It was also a year of economic turmoil which saw an endless string of natural disasters that devastated several countries across the world.

Samoans celebrated New Year's Eve first this year, left, rather than last, after they skipped Friday altogether and a woman, right, celebrates in Sydney

Indian students in Ahmadabad show off placards as they prepare to welcome in the New Year

Now watch the video of the Sydney Harbour fireworks



source: dailymail