Fireworks lit up the Tuesday night skies signalling the arrival of the new year in Samoa.

Samoa is the first country to welcome 2020 and it did not disappoint with the fantastic bursts of color with music entertainment in front of the Government building.

Despite the heavy downpour throughout New Year’s Eve, skies cleared up two hours before the fireworks. 

By then, families had already started to swarm the streets of Apia, scouting the perfect spot to watch the fireworks with families and friends.

The two launching sites for fireworks were Mt. Vaea via Palisi and Taumeasina Island Resort.

The Road from Lalovaea up to Palisi was closed to the public on Tuesday night, with heavy Police presence. Palisi residents power was turned of five minutes before the fireworks display to ensure safety of nearby homes.

In front of the Government building, singing and entertainment from local artists had set the mood for the welcoming of the new year all evening with the official countdown til 12am.

Some families had brought their own outdoor chairs to ensure they have front row seats to the fireworks show later on.

45-year-old Elton Peterson from Lotopa who was there with friends said it was exciting to await the fireworks with bands playing leading up to the event for families to enjoy.

"We're excited to see the different bands tonight and enjoy the crowd and atmosphere and hopefully the weather doesn't spoil it," he said.

"But it seems God has blessed us with a beautiful evening after all that rain today."

He surely did, because the rain only returned almost immediately after fireworks display from both locations.

This is only the second year for the New Year's Fireworks which will be displayed annually, as officially launched by Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi in 2018.