Things to Do on New Year’s Day in London 2027
Date post added: 15th September 2026
How do you tend to spend New Year’s Day? It’s usually one of two scenarios. You stay curled up under a blanket, wondering whether the final glass of champagne was entirely necessary the night before. Or you pull on your coat and get out and about.
If you want a positive start to 2027, spend the day in our magnificent capital city. London’s packed with opportunity and things to do. Try an activity, visit a new place or explore an unknown area. Make the most of the New Year’s Day bank holiday.
What can I do in London on New Year’s Day?
Image by Lee Maguire
The city’s your oyster. London doesn’t close the curtains and stay in bed on 1st January. There’s plenty of life in the city if you know where to look.
Want something lively? There are streets filled with marching bands, dancers and entertainers. And high-energy West End shows to get your endorphins going. Fancy being active? You can take a twirl on an ice-skating rink, cycle around a royal park or take a bracing walk around a new area.
Get cultural at a museum. Gasp at panoramic views. Catch the Christmas lights and decorations before they go. Hit the shops. Discover somewhere new. The days may be shorter and darker, but there’s still plenty on offer during winter in London
The list goes on. To help you choose, we’ve picked some of the best things to do in London on New Year’s Day 2027.
Watch the London New Year’s Day Parade
“MS LNYDP 010120 033.jpg” by Parade Watcher is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
London begins the year with marching bands, cheerleaders, dancers, classic cars, stunt performers and some very large inflatable characters. Over 8000 performers take part. Yes, really!
Beginning at 1pm, the London New Year’s Day Parade runs until around 4.30pm. It’s free to watch from the street, although ticketed grandstand seats are also available if you don’t fancy standing for hours.
Where does the London New Year’s Day Parade go?
It’s right in Central London. The 2.2 mile route begins on Piccadilly, close to The Ritz Hotel. It travels through Regent Street, onto Pall Mall and passes through Trafalgar Square. It continues down Whitehall, passing Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, before finishing near Parliament Square.
Wondering where to watch? Trafalgar Square provides a suitably dramatic backdrop (especially with its famous Christmas tree). It’s also one of the busiest places to watch. Pall Mall and the section of Piccadilly near Green Park can be good alternatives.
Get active outdoors
New Year’s Day’s a good time to get moving. That’s whether it’s a healthy resolution or simply the chance to stretch for more than your chocolate box.
Skate at Somerset House
“Somerset House ice rink” by Matt Brown is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
This is a wonderful winter event – it’s the ultimate ice skating experience. A frozen Somerset House feels more like being in Eastern Europe than England. There’s a towering Christmas tree beside the rink, and when that and the historic buildings are lit up, it’s absolutely magical. It gets booked up, so you could also try the festive ice skating rink in Leicester Square.
Walk along the River Thames
“Christmas Market on the South Bank” by Peter Trimming is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Take a stroll on the South Bank of the River Thames. It never fails to deliver. You could start near Westminster Bridge and head east. You’ll pass the London Eye, National Theatre and Tate Modern. The charming Christmas market outside the Southbank Centre is likely to still be running. You get a magnificent view of St Paul’s Cathedral across the river too. Finish up at Borough Market for some delicious street food and a warming mulled wine or artisan coffee.
Join our Along the Thames walk to truly discover this wonderful waterway.
Head to a royal park
User:Colin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
London is blessed with beautiful green spaces. It’s royal parks are always worth a visit, even in winter.
St James’s Park is an excellent choice if you can avoid the parade crowds. Look out for the park’s resident pelicans by the lake. Stand on the Blue Bridge for a great view of Buckingham Palace, framed by trees.
Regent’s Park has exquisite formal gardens and wide, open space. It’s also home to London Zoo which is open 10am – 4pm on New Year’s Day.
Walk, talk and discover
Explore London with us. You can choose from a selection of New Year’s Day London Walks. You can be introduced to a more hidden London as well as sightseeing the major landmarks.
Do something cultural
New Year’s Day is a bank holiday, but many of London’s cultural attractions remain open. You may find they’re quieter than normal too.Some operate shorter hours, so always check the venue’s website before travelling.
West End show
Catch a pantomime before they end for the season. Take in a West End theatre show. Some productions give their cast the day off on 1st January. But many run matinee and/ or evening performances. Choose from favourites including Matilda, Mamma Mia!, Wicked and Paddington. The Jungle Book and The Mousetrap are other options. Be sure to check performance times and book ahead.
Spend time in a museum
The Natural History Museum’s the place for dinosaurs, volcanoes, mammals and the enormous blue whale skeleton in Hintze Hall. The nearby Science Museum works especially well for hands-on activities. And fellow South Kensington favourite, the V&A Museum also opens on New Year’s Day. That’s a hattrick of cultural fabulousness in one corner of London.
Enjoy a classical music concert
“The LSO at the Barbican Concert Hall, London” by Pam Fray is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
The New Year’s Day Proms is a celebratory concert at The Barbican on the afternoon of 1st January. You don’t need to know your Amadeus from your Elgar. This joyful concert features classical highlights, uplifting anthems and operatic favourites. It’ll be a right rousing start to your year.
What are the best activities for families in London on New Year’s Day?
The activities we’ve already mentioned are family-friendly. And there are more where they came from.
Head to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
“Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2011 – 37” by Garry Knight is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
This festive extravaganza finishes on 3rd January, so it’s your last chance to enjoy the event. There’s ice skating, an ice kingdom, food stalls, fairground rides and various other attractions. It’s a fun way to start January.
Admire the Christmas lights
If you haven’t had time to take in the glittering displays across the city, New Year’s Day could be the time to do it. Stop to see the displays festooned along Oxford Street as well as the angels over Regent Street and down to Piccadilly Circus. Covent Garden’s always a special place
Learn the stories behind the illuminations on our Christmas Lights Walk
Hit the shops
“Oxford Street Selfridges Christmas Decorations 2017.jpg” by Simeon87 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Not all shops open on New Year’s Day, but the mighty Selfridges tends to. This legendary Oxford Street department store isn’t just a shop, it’s a total experience. The Christmas windows are always showstopping. The toy store is incredible. There are plenty of family-friendly places for lunch or a hot chocolate. Its rooftop bar is a firm favourite for Italian food. You may even bag a bargain in its January sale.
Find out more about London’s famous shopping streets
Get a bird’s eye view of London
The London Eye offers a grand view of the city on the first day of the year. From the top, you can spot Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard and so much more. On a clear day, you’ll see landmarks far beyond central London.
Another spot for excellent views is the Tower Bridge walkway. You can climb up to the high point of that beautiful bridge and look over the Tower of London below, as well as along the River Thames.
Find more places to take in panoramic views of London, including Parliament Hill, Sky Garden and The Shard (if you’re feeling fancy).
Are things open in London on New Year’s Day?
Yes. There’s plenty to see and do in London on New Year’s Day. Many museums, attractions, restaurants, pubs, shops and theatres open on 1st January, although they may use reduced bank holiday hours. Always check websites in advance to make sure.
Are London tubes running on New Year’s Day?
Yes, the London Underground runs on New Year’s Day. But services are reduced and usually begin later than on an ordinary weekday. All public transport is reduced on New Year’s Day and all bank holidays. Check Transport for London (TFL) before your travel.
How long is the London New Year’s Day parade route?
The London New Year’s Day Parade route is approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometres) long. It begins on Piccadilly and continues through Regent Street St James’s, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall before finishing near Parliament Square.
Start 2027 walking with us
Don’t spend New Year’s Day under the duvet. Get out and discover the various delights that London has to offer.
Join us for a two-hour guided walk in London. You have a variety of New Year’s Day walks to choose from. So pull on those walking shoes and explore the capital with our fascinating guides.
Still wondering what to do the night before? Don’t miss our ideas for New Year’s Eve in London
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.