For the first time in 2 years, London’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks are set to make a return to the capital. The London fireworks are the largest display in the UK, and so something you certainly don’t want to miss if you’re celebrating 2023 in the Big Smoke!
How to Attend London’s New Year Fireworks
If you want to see London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks in person you will need to get a ticket for the best view. The fireworks take place in front of the London Eye and along the South Bank. The tickets to the London New Year fireworks are sold in two separate batches, the first of which is sold out – but look out for the second batch! Tickets this year cost £15.
For those who are after a free place to watch the fireworks, Waterloo Bridge is a great spot that’s not within the ticketed zone. If you can’t get anywhere close, the whole event will be shown on BBC.
Why Have Previous Fireworks Been Cancelled?
In 2020 and 2021, we saw London’s New Year fireworks cancelled due to COVID restrictions. In their place the city put on spectacular light shows that were streamed on TV for the whole nation to see. But we’re all certainly glad we’ll be able to ring in the New Year with our fellow Londoners and hearing Big Ben bong in person.
What Can We Expect from London’s 2022 New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Those in charge of the New Year fireworks always keep the details under wraps, but going off previous years we can expect something spectacular. The London Eye is always the focal point of the night, and often involved in the finale fireworks. The display lasts for about 20 minutes, ending on the Big Ben’s bell of midnight, welcoming in 2023. London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has said we should expect these to be the best fireworks yet.
The History of London’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Whilst it seems like such a pinnacle of bringing in the New Year in London, the firework display really hasn’t been around that long. The first organised display in this manner was in 1999 to bring in the new millennium – it then took another 5 years, until 2004 to hold the fireworks again! They have continued every year since, except in 2021 and 2022.
The 1999 fireworks were estimated to have been attended by 3 million people in person! The following year was cancelled due to concerns about overcrowding and strain on the police.
What to Do on 31st December Leading Up to the Fireworks
Got tickets to see the fireworks in person? Why not come into London earlier in the day and make a festive trip of it? From London’s ice skating spots, to the last chance to see the wonderful Christmas lights across the city there are plenty of things to do on the last day of September!
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