The beat goes on: fireworks, smoke and tear gas start new decade

New York dropped its traditional crystal-encrusted ball to ring in 2020 in a packed Times Square, after crisis-marred celebrations in other countries ended a year of worldwide upheaval that saw strike-hit Paris welcome the new decade with fireworks, and London's Big Ben ring out after a long restoration.

Billions around the world cheered in 2020 after a tumultuous year dominated by demonstrations calling for political revolt and action on climate change.

"I'm not particularly optimistic about the future," 29-year-old Natalie Reinhart told AFP ahead of New York's midnight celebration.

"I don't think anybody thinks the world is in a good place, and I think that's one of the defining things of the decade," the New Yorker said.

"There's a sort of overt pessimism. Even our pop songs are sad." Performers in Times Square pulled through nonetheless, as artists including feminist rocker Alanis Morissette took the stage ahead of a highly anticipated performance by K-pop sensation BTS.

New Yorker Gabriel Rodriguez, 53, voiced gloom over society's future but told AFP his way of coping: "I live day by day."