World prepares for 2014

Students stand to form "Happy 2014" to welcome the upcoming New Year at a middle school in Ma'anshan, Anhui province, China, Dec. 30, 2013.

Romania

Romanian dancers perform the "bear" dance, a ritual for good luck in the New Year, during a traditional parade in Comanesti, 300 km northeast of Bucharest, Dec. 30, 2013. In pre-Christian rural traditions dancers used to tour from house to house in villages while singing and dancing to ward off evil.

France

A reveler writes "2014" with sparklers ahead of New Year's Eve, in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Dec. 30, 2013.

Brazil

A follower of the Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda goes into a trance during a ceremony paying tribute to Iemanja, goddess of the sea, at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Dec. 28, 2013.

New York

A woman walks past a rack of novelty 2014 glasses on sale in Times Square, ahead of New Year's Eve in New York, Dec. 29, 2013.

Brazil

Followers of the Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda sing to pay tribute to Iemanja, goddess of the sea, at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Dec. 28, 2013.

Albania

A woman watches over turkeys in the village of Baldushk, Dec. 30, 2013. According to residents, the price of turkeys, the main dish in the New Year Dinner, has risen over the years to around 55 euros.

New York

Workers test the ball that will drop at midnight in Times Square, ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations in New York, Dec. 30, 2013.

Singapore

A worker takes a break while arranging "wishing spheres" along Marina Bay in Singapore, Dec. 30, 2013. People penned their wishes for the new year onto the spheres before placing them into the river.

New York

The ball that will drop at midnight is pictured ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square in New York, Dec. 30, 2013.

New York

Workers inflate balloons to be given to the crowd during New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square in New York, Dec. 30, 2013.

Peru

Shamans holding images of Chile's President-elect Michelle Bachelet, Peru's President Ollanta Humala and current Chilean President Sebastian Pinera perform a ritual as they offer predictions for the new year at Agua Dulce beach in Lima, Dec. 30, 2013.

New York

Workers install a Waterford Crystal panel on the Times Square New Year's Eve ball in New York, Dec. 27, 2013. All 2,688 panels on the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball have been replaced with a brand new design by the crystal company. The ball will drop at midnight on New Year's eve and will be watched by millions of people around the world.

Burma

A worker prepares for a New Year countdown party in Yangon, Dec. 30, 2013.

Romania

A Romanian dancer performs the "bear" dance, a ritual for good luck in the New Year, during a traditional parade in Comanesti, Dec. 30, 2013.

Germany

People walk near a stage set up for New Year's Eve celebrations at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Dec. 30, 2013.