Best time to go to England

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

The British consider the New Year to be a secondary holiday, but they celebrate it well anyway!

Dates: December 31

London New Year's Eve Fireworks & Traditions
London New Year's Eve Fireworks & Traditions
London New Year's Eve Fireworks & Traditions
New Year fireworks near Big Ben, London
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During New Years, the English prefer to celebrate with friends, on the streets of their cities, in pubs, and restaurants. New Year's parties start at around 8 pm and last till 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.

Also, the season is famous for a variety of Christmas shows and New Year's performances shown across the theatres. Kids adore old English fairy tales featuring March Hare, Humpty Dumpty, Punch, and other iconic characters.

Another custom is the New Year's greeting. When the clock strikes 12, the English open the back door to see off the Old Year, and the front door to welcome the New Year. The bells, previously wrapped in blankets, are undressed to announce the coming of the New Year, and lovers kiss under magical mistletoe to the battle of the chimes.

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin