Kiribati's Line Islands (Kiritimati) Becomes First Place to Welcome 2026

Kiritimati, Kiribati's Easternmost Outpost, Welcomes 2026 to Global Record Books

In a historic first, Kiritimati, the largest atoll of Kiribati in the Line Islands group, became the world's first inhabited place to enter the year 2026 on December 31, 2025, at 10 AM GMT. This unprecedented event occurred up to 26 hours ahead of the rest of the globe, marking a significant milestone for this tiny Pacific island nation.