New Years Eve In London

A brand new year is right around the corner, and we've got the lowdown on the best ways to celebrate. From dazzling firework displays to festive Royal Parks, here's our guide to ringing in the New Year in London.

By Vanessa Teo

Published: July 17, 2024

Spending New Year’s Eve in London this year? Whether you’re fired up for fireworks or ready to ring in the New Year in a quieter fashion, there are plenty of attractions that are open over the holidays. We've searched high and low and found some of our favourite things to do to ring in the new year.

Get your skates on

Open-air ice rinks have been set up at iconic locations across the capital, for the festive season. Choose a scenic backdrop for your glide across the ice, including Somerset House, the Natural History Museum, the Tower of London and others. Warm up with a hot drink in the café or spectator’s gallery after your session; skate hire is usually included in the ticket price.

Get your culture fix

Many museums will stay open on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, ranging from big-name attractions to smaller institutions. Think the V&A for art history, the Imperial War Museum for insights into people’s experiences of war, or the British Museum for human history and culture. With more than 200 museums to choose from, there is very little that isn’t covered, but do check the specific opening times before you set off.

Get traditional

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The New Year’s Eve in London fireworks display is for ticket-holders only, but if you don’t want to watch on your TV screen, there are several other good vantage points. Primrose Hill is always popular and several bridges are not included in the access-controlled area (Lambeth, Southwark and the Millennium Bridge). Hotels and restaurants with roof terraces may also be able to offer you a high-enough perch – why not ask?

On New Year’s Day, the Mayor’s parade takes place between Green Park and Parliament Square, with over 8,000 performers representing the capital’s 32 boroughs and countries from around the world. There's a different theme every year, often accompanied by giant balloons, music, confetti and special displays.

Get away from it all

London’s Royal Parks are a haven of calm and will be open throughout the holidays. Hyde Park will play host to the New Year’s Day Serpentine races, including a 3K fun run and a longer 10K course. You may also see a few wild swimmers taking their traditional New Year’s Day dip.

Further from the city centre, the Cutty Sark in Greenwich is the world’s sole surviving tea clipper - the fastest ship of her time. Discover what life was like on board, possibly with fewer visitors than normal. In Richmond, the Christmas at Kew exhibition will run until 2nd January. Or, you can experience Christmas at Court at Hampton Court Palace, complete with Tudor-era festive food and music.

Get planning

Many other attractions will be open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. If you choose carefully (and have a bit of luck), you could end up with a trip to the Zoo or Kensington Palace when it’s a lot less crowded than usual. However, other attractions, such as Winter Wonderland or key shopping areas holding sales, are likely to experience peak visitor numbers as Londoners come out in force to spend the bank holiday weekend with their loved ones.

Transport for London will also run late services on New Year’s Eve and a Sunday service on New Year’s Day, but please check your exact route online as engineering works are often planned around the holidays. Many supermarkets and other essential shops are also open on both days, but opening hours vary by location.

There are plenty of exciting things to do on New Year’s Eve in London – far more than just fireworks and parties. Whatever you decide to do, we wish you a good trip and a fabulous New Year!

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Vanessa Teo

London Travel Expert

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Fascinating Buckingham Palace facts

Seeing Buckingham Palace is a must for anybody visiting London. Whether you're a massive fan of the Royal Family, or you simply want to see one of Britain's biggest historical landmarks, you'll find something to love inside its large, lavish walls. Buckingham Palace is located in Westminster, in the heart of central London, and with St. James's Park and Green Park as its backyards. It serves as the official London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. The palace has a long and colorful history - it wouldn't be British without one. So, without further ado, here are some fascinating facts about Buckingham Palace you may not have known. With The London sightseeing Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price - and enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual tickets to London attractions. ✈️ Buy The London Pass® ✈️ When was Buckingham Palace built? Buckingham Palace was originally known as Buckingham House, and was built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. King George III then bought it in 1761. Construction of the 775-room palace we see today began in 1825, and it's been the official London residence for all reigning monarchs since Queen Victoria took up residence in 1837. The Palace went way over budget The original Buckingham House was transformed by the esteemed architect John Nash into what it is today. However, he accidentally went over budget and was fired for overspending. Take a look at the gilded detailing and it's no surprise. Nash transformed Buckingham House - as it used to be known - into the grandest possible version of itself, rebuilding the two east wings and adding in the triumphal arch, originally for ceremonial processions into the palace. That arch now lives at Marble Arch - yes, that's the Marble Arch. After Nash, a new architect called Edward Blore completed the work on the palace. Which British Royal was the first to live in Buckingham Palace? Before the palace as we know it was built, the history of the site goes as far back as the Middle Ages, when the site formed part of the Manor of Ebury. (We haven't heard of it either.) It was used for different buildings by different people, including Henry VIII back in the 16th Century. However, once King George IV's planned work was completed, he never even had the chance to call it home. Queen Victoria moved in in 1837, and was the first British Royal to live in Buckingham Palace, followed by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout WW2, the royals refused to leave the palace London was bombed heavily throughout World War Two. And, with Buckingham Palace being the cultural landmark it is, it became a massive target. Despite being advised to leave for their own safety, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth kept calm and carried on, refusing to leave - even though the palace was hit nine times over the course of the war. There are over 700 rooms in the palace Buckingham Palace has hosted thousands of visitors throughout the years. And with a whopping 775 rooms, it's not hard to see how. Among the 775 rooms are 19 grand State Rooms for events, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 78 bathrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, and 92 offices for the King, Royal Family, and staff. Of the State Rooms, the Throne Room is for ceremonial and official events - and the Prince and Princess of Wales took their wedding photos there. Most opulent is the White Room, where the King receives guests. When are the State Rooms open? The State Rooms are only open to the public in the summer. Since Buckingham Palace is very much still a functioning royal residence, throwing its doors open to the public isn't always practical. That's why they only open up during August and September when Queen Elizabeth heads off to Scotland for the summer holidays. Of course, that means you won't catch a glimpse of the Queen at any point of your visit. What kind of art can be found in Buckingham Palace? Buckingham Palace is home to a vast collection of masterworks, including paintings, sculptures, and other beautiful objects. Some of the most widely recognizable pieces include works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Canaletto. The Royal Collection Trust, which manages the art collection, offers tours of the palace where visitors can view many of these masterpieces One of the highlights is the massive painting of Queen Victoria's coronation, which has to be seen to be believed. A massive fan of the royals managed to break in three times As a kid, little Edward Jones was pretty fascinated by the Royal Family. So much so that he managed to sneak into the residence three times. Well, at the very least he was caught three times. He managed to steal Queen Victoria's underwear (!), as well as food from the kitchens. He even boasted to the press that he'd sat on her throne. Without breaking in, it's possible to visit the Throne Room and see the three gilded royal seats for yourself. Does King Charles III live in Buckingham Palace? As head of 'The Firm', King Charles III prefers to be based at Clarence House (also in London), but doesn't live at Buckingham Palace. He does carry out official engagements there, however. Tradition tends to dictate that the monarch lives at Buckingham Palace. Queen Elizabeth II and the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh lived in the private apartments on the north side of the Palace. Other members of the Royal Family have lived in rooms on the upper floors of the north and east sides. Royal Family members, such Princess Anne, and Prince Edward and Sophie Countess of Wessex, hold private apartments at the palace but don't live there full-time. So it's unlikely you'll bump into any of them making a cup of tea in the kitchen while you're visiting! Over 800 people work for the Royal Household, and a lucky few do live in suitably posh apartments (which are said to be lovely, but obviously not as grand as their royal bosses'). There are also staff quarters for a range of household workers, some of whom might live there too. There's a way to tell if the King is there If you're passing by and wonder whether the King is in, well, you're in luck. Want to know what to look out for? It's all to do with a flag. If the Union Flag is flying over the palace, then you're out of luck - he's not there. However, if the Royal Standard flag is flying, then he is in the building, or at least making a visit. Buckingham Palace is like an opulent mini-village Besides the Throne Room and the sprawling grounds, there's a lot going on, inside and outside of the main building. The Royal Mews, built in 1824-1825, are home to luxurious vehicles, and horses that work during special events. The garden alone, filled with beautiful plants and trees, covers 42 acres, making it the largest private garden in London. You'll be able to see some of it, but most of it is closed to the public. There's also a cinema and a swimming pool, a Post Office and police station, a clinic and even an ATM. See London's magnificent palaces and everything it has to offer With The London Pass®, you can enjoy a tour not just of Buckingham Palace, but three other royal residences and the Houses of Parliament with Top Sights Tours. Planning your London trip? With The London Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ✈️ Buy The London Pass® ✈️

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