The entire world is all decked out to ring in 2012.

Samoa, the tiny South Pacific nation, and the neighbouring Tokelau will be the first in the world to usher in the new year, followed by Chatham Islands, New Zealand.

Festivities have already started across the world to welcome 2012. Celebrations will include fireworks, dance parties, street shows, and colourful lights.

Some such glittering festive moments across the world have been captured here:

New Year
A couple looks at an ice sculpture of Father Frost and his Snow Maiden granddaughter Snegurochka during a New Year's Eve celebration in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk. Reuters
New Year
Workers install a dragon-shaped lantern as a New Year's Eve decoration on a wall near the Confucian temple in Nanjing. Reuters
New Year
A man dressed as Father Frost receives a kiss from the Snegurochka during a New Year's Eve parade in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Reuters
New Year
Mira Avenue, the main street in the Russian Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, is illuminated with festive lights. Reuters
New Year
Toy dragons are on sale at a Beijing market in anticipation of the coming Chinese Lunar New Year, beginning Jan. 23 this time around. Reuters