London New Year's Eve Fireworks & Traditions 2024-2025 in England

On New Year's Eve, the English prefer to celebrate with friends, in the streets of their cities, in pubs and restaurants. New Year's parties start in the evening and last until the wee hours of the morning. The main folk festivities are held in the capital—at the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square. The favorite annual celebration of the night is London's New Year's Eve fireworks gathering up to 100,000 spectators around Victoria Embankment.

New Year's Traditions

The British first introduced the tradition of giving gifts for the New Year and Christmas, and they still exchange some small souvenirs, such as Christmas cards and toys. You'll see dozens of street vendors with sacks of whistles, masquerade masks, and balloons.

The holiday season is also famous for a variety of Christmas and New Year's performances in theaters. Kids adore old English fairy tales featuring March Hare, Humpty Dumpty, Punch, and other iconic characters. These stories are brought to life by enchanting performances, ranging from classic pantomimes to modern adaptations.

Another custom is the New Year's greeting. When the clock strikes twelve, the English open the back door to see off the Old Year and the front door to welcome the New Year. The bells, previously covered in blankets, are now unwrapped to announce the coming of the New Year, and lovers kiss under magical mistletoe to the battle of the chimes.

NYE Fireworks

As Big Ben rings out the last seconds before the New Year, the sky above London is filled with splashes of colorful lights, celebrating the end of the year. One of the largest pyrotechnic displays of the year, London New Year's Eve fireworks, is organized by the Mayor of London.

Viewing Areas

Taking place near the London Eye, the event has several viewing areas: Blue, Red, Pink, Green, White, and an accessible Orange zone. Both blue and red areas are located on the Victoria Embankment, but the blue area is between Westminster Bridge and Golden Jubilee Footbridge, while the Red Area spans until Temple Avenue.

The pink viewing area is located on Waterloo Bridge, the green zone is near the London Eye at Belvedere Road, the white area is on Westminster Bridge, and the orange zone is situated on the Albert Embankment. You can enter the areas from 8 to 10:30 pm.

Tickets

Admission to Red, Green, and Orange areas costs £35 for visitors and £20 for London residents. Regular tickets to Blue, Pink, and White areas cost £50, while Londoners can purchase the tickets for £35.

New Year's Eve Cruises in London

Besides the fireworks, you can ring in the New Year at one of many river cruises, which offer spectacular views of the capital and the pyrotechnic display. City Cruises offers a NYE dinner cruise with champagne, starting from £449, while Golden Tours invite you to enjoy a three-course meal and stunning vistas of the city on board of Meteor Clipper. Tickets start at £295.