After a turbulent year marred by terror woes, Ebola outbreaks and a horrific series of airline disasters, many could be forgiven for saying good riddance to 2014 and gratefully ringing in a new year.

Across the globe, revelers looking for a respite from the gloom will converge on the beaches of Brazil, the shores of Sydney harbor and the potentially snowy streets of Las Vegas (yes, really) to welcome 2015. Here's a look at the world is celebrating:

First up: Down Under

Sydney takes pride in being one of the first major cities in the world to welcome each new year, and it plans to greet 2015 in its trademark glittery fashion - with a tropical-style fireworks display featuring shimmering gold and silver palm tree pyrotechnic effects.

More than 1.5 million revelers are expected to crowd along the shores of the city's famed harbor to watch the vivid eruption of light over the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and other points along the water.

The festivities, however, come just two weeks after an Iranian-born, self-styled cleric took 18 people hostage inside a downtown cafe. A tribute to two hostages killed in the siege will be displayed on the pylons of the Harbour Bridge during the fireworks display, and an extra 3,000 police officers will be patrolling the city. Still, Sydneysiders are being encouraged to celebrate as usual.

At the Copa, Copacabana

More than 1 million people are expected to flock to the golden sands of Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach, where two dozen artists and DJs will perform on three stages. Tourists and locals routinely party until dawn on the beach, staying awake to watch the tropical sun rise for the first time in 2015.

A massive fireworks display blasted from boats in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean will light the sky over the crowd, which traditionally dresses in all white, a Brazilian New Year tradition to bring purification and a peaceful year. Another tradition calls for partygoers to enter the sea up to their knees and jump over seven waves shortly after the New Year begins, for luck.

See the ball ... or whatever ... drop

New York will drop its Waterford crystal ball at midnight, in a tradition being increasingly copied across the United States with twists celebrating local icons. Las Cruces, N.M, is spicing up New Year's Eve with its first chili drop. In Miami, a 35-foot neon orange will light up, while Atlanta and Nashville, Tenn., will drop a peach and a musical note, respectively.

Flagstaff, Ariz., celebrates with a 6-foot pine cone that drops from a downtown hotel. Nearby Prescott drops a 6-foot spurred cowboy boot in a nod to its western culture.