Things To Do In London On New Year’s Eve 2025
Date post added: 16th October 2025
Where can I go for New Years Eve in London?
Deciding how to spend the 31st December can feel stressful. Are you feeling the pressure to make sure it’s an unforgettable night? If you are, here are some suggestions from those who have trodden this well-worn path many times.
New Year’s Eve celebrations in London are the stuff of legend. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with countless others on the banks of the River Thames, chanting a countdown to the midnight bongs of Big Ben and being wowed by the fireworks display – it has to be done. But maybe only once.
If you choose to visit London on NYE, be prepared to be jostled, to have travel traumas and to pay through the nose. But that’s coming from Londoners who are slightly jaded by NYEs gone by. Here, we’ll share some ideas for your best New Year’s Eve in London.
New Year’s Eve fireworks
Nothing says New Year’s Eve in London more than an over-priced drink, an elbow in the ribs and the ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ sounds that accompany the legendary fireworks show (as well as the very English ‘tut’ when someone barges ahead in the queue). Of all the New Year’s Eve events, the world-famous London New Year’s Eve fireworks, presented by the Mayor of London, is the most spectacular. It’s a ticketed event to manage the crowds, so you’ll need to book in advance.
If you want to join the throng for the central London New Year’s Eve fireworks, you’ll find vantage points along the banks of the Thames. Head for Monument, London Bridge, Embankment or Waterloo stations.
Is London New Year’s fireworks free?
The Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks is a ticketed event. It’s essential that you buy tickets in advance and the prices vary.
However, there are vantage points across London where you get views of London fireworks for free. Parliament Hill and Greenwich are two of our favourites.
How can I get tickets for the London New Year’s Eve fireworks?
Tickets are yet to be released for 2025 [to be updated nearer December]. Keep an eye out for them. You can sign up for updates on the Mayor of London’s website
What time do the London New Year’s Eve fireworks start?
The first rocket is launched at 8pm on 31st December.
What public transport options are available on New Year’s Eve in London?
Be warned that public transport is a nightmare on NYE. Our London guide extraordinaire, David describes it as a “crush of humanity” and “truly unbearable.” Get the idea? Oh, and you can always shun the London nightlife and watch coverage on the BBC from the comfort of your own home.
If you still want to venture out, prepare for the journey to take longer than usual. TFL usually offers free travel on the Tube, Overground, DLR, trams and buses for most of the night. Yes, there tends to be an all-night service. That’s lucky because there’s a whole lot of people clammering to use public transport throughout NYE.
New Year’s Eve hotspots
David’s advice is to “go against the herd.” So these hotspots would be his places to avoid at all costs. But if you want to celebrate New Year’s Eve amongst the pulsating activity in the West End, here’s where it’s at:
- Victoria Embankment
- South Bank near London Eye
- Trafalgar Square
- London Bridge
- Near Big Ben.
Soho isn’t on the front line for fireworks, but it is party central. They’ll be dancing in the streets.
Indulge in a decadent New Year’s Eve in London
Our recommendation for enjoying New Year’s Eve in central London is to seriously splash out and get a hotel room with a view, a table at a Michelin-starred restaurant or book a rooftop bar. It’ll make an unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience. But be prepared to pay way over the odds and make an early reservation – by mid-Nov it’s going to be too late. A few of our NYE party suggestions:
- Rules restaurant in Covent Garden: London’s oldest restaurant dates back to 1798 and serves classic British food and drink. Deservedly, it has Michelin-starred status. Enjoy an indulgent, civilised three-course meal in style here. The Winter Garden cocktail bar is a bit of a hidden gem. Elegant and relaxed, it’s a great spot to celebrate the end of 2025.
- Natural History Museum: Calling all party animals! See out 2025 with real live (and definitely not live) creatures. Last year’s event was a sell out, so you’ll need to book early to secure a space on the dancefloor amongst the dinosaurs. There will be live music, a silent disco, animal handlers and a chance to explore the space after dark.
- London Bridge Rooftop Bar: With views along the River Thames and across to The Shard, this rooftop bar is a great spot for a New Year’s Eve party.
- River Thames boat party: Celebrate the new year with a boat party on the Thames. You’ll pass by iconic London sights like the London Eye and The Houses of Parliament, giving you cracking views of the fireworks. The Bar at Temple is a floating bar on a 1911 Dutch barge. The bonus is that it’s moored at Temple Pier so you can leave whenever you choose.
- NYE Gala at The Savoy: If you’re looking for decadence, the Roaring Twenties Gala at The Savoy Hotel is for you. Indulge in Champagne and canapes, a six-course dinner, entertainment and views of the London fireworks on the River Thames. Glamorous, opulent and pure class.
A London Walks New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve in London. Psssst, here’s some seriously good advice from David: head for the hills. In the immortal words of Will Rogers, “always drink upstream from the herd.”
For a London Walks New Year’s Eve And not just because that walk is “the crown jewel of London Walks” (the New York Times). The GOAT – Greatest Of All Time – reason is that at walk’s end we head for the Hill. Parliament Hill. Yes, at the stroke of midnight we’ll be up on the roof of London. We’ll see the New Year in – watch the fireworks – from the Skybox. And not just the main fireworks. The symphony of fireworks. There’ll be New Year’s Eve fireworks all over London. And from up there – up in the Skybox – we’ve got a panoramic. We can see the whole shebang, from Walthamstow to Wimbledon.
And don’t just drink upstream from the herd. Hop on public transport upstream from the herd. Up in Hampstead on New Year’s Eve we’re contraflow. Unlike the gazillions down in central London we’re not going to have any problem getting on the Tube. Or a bus. Or a train. Memories make us rich. Well, good memories. Don’t deal yourself an ordeal.
New Year’s Eve in London – Keep it Simple
Less is more. Less is better. Small is beautiful. Bears repeating, there’s a lot to be said for the path less trodden – for a more intimate New Year’s Eve celebration.
- A local house party – should an invitation come your way, carpe diem. Thank the organisers profusely. It’ll be a million times better than the million-strong mob in central London.
- Watch a great film – Choose a favourite old classic. Send out for a or fish and chips. And then watch the fireworks and the countdown – not to mention worldwide New Year’s Eve celebrations – on the BBC. Ring in the new year from your sofa. A hassle-free New Year’s Eve. And really, if we’re honest, the best view you’ll get of the London NYE fireworks.
New Year’s Day
Wondering what to do on New Year’s Day? It can be a great time to do something different. Try an activity, visit a new place or explore an unknown area. It provides an opportunity to partake in winter activities that have evaded you during the busy Christmas period. Here are a few ideas of what’s on that day.
- Take afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly for an extra special experience. Tuck in to freshly-baked cakes, precisely-cut sandwiches, unsurpassable scones and countless pots of tea in the most exquisite surroundings. Treat yourself at the start of 2026 with a good old afternoon tea.
- Skate at Somerset House is a wonderful winter event – it’s the ultimate ice rink. A frozen Somerset House feels more like being in Eastern Europe than England. Ice skating in historic surroundings is a truly memorable experience, swiftly followed by an indulgent hot chocolate. You could opt to do this on New Year’s Eve with the night sky as a backdrop, but it’s a lovely way to start the new year too.
- Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park finishes on 1st January, so it’s your last chance to enjoy the event. There’s ice skating, carnival attractions, food stalls, fairground rides and various other attractions. It’s a fun way to start January.
- Ice Rink at Canary Wharf is another great winter spot, this time in East London. Skate beneath twinkly fairy lights and a giant disco ball whilst enjoying the views from this Canada Water location.
Start 2026 walking with us
Start your New Year’s resolution to be more active and take a walk. You may be surprised to learn that we have an array of New Year’s Day walks. So pull on those walking shoes and explore the capital with our fascinating guides.
Pippa Jackson
Pippa is a word nerd and content aficionado with a background of working in TV on both sides of the globe. She loves to discover and share the diverse and wonderful stories of her much-loved London. When she’s not writing blogs and articles, you’ll find her walking beside the Thames or even paddleboarding on it (in the finest of conditions only!) or enjoying a coffee in the sunshine with a good book.
David Tucker
David – the Seigneur of this favoured realm – broods over words, breeds enthusiasms and is “unmanageable.”* He’s a balterer, literary historian, university lecturer, journalist, logophile and lifelong thanatophobe. For good measure, he’s the doyen of London guides.