London New Year's Eve Fireworks 2026

London rings in the new year with one of the world's most famous fireworks displays, launched from the London Eye and along the River Thames. Held on the night of 31 December 2026, the display combines over 12,000 fireworks with a synchronised light and pyrotechnics show, Big Ben's midnight chimes, and a soundtrack usually built around a musical or cultural theme for the year. It's the Mayor of London's flagship New Year celebration and one of the most-watched fireworks shows on the planet, broadcast live around the world.

Unlike many New Year's Eve events, this is strictly ticketed — there is no free public viewing directly along the river, and the surrounding embankments are fenced off on the night to control crowd numbers. Official tickets are sold exclusively through Ticketmaster and go on sale in two phases in the autumn (typically mid-October and late November); they sell out quickly, so early booking is essential. Prices for the 2025/26 event ranged roughly from £20 up to around £55 depending on the viewing zone, with a discount for London postcode residents. Each account can usually buy up to four tickets.

Ticketed viewing areas are arranged along the South Bank and around the London Eye, with entry from the early evening — arrive well before the show to pass security and find your spot, as re-entry is not permitted once inside. The event runs for roughly 10-12 minutes around midnight, but the surrounding area is closed to general public access, so those without tickets should look instead at pubs, riverside restaurants, or high vantage points elsewhere in the city.

For overseas visitors: dress very warmly, expect large crowds and tight security (bag searches, no glass, no large bags), and plan your route home in advance since much of central London's road network closes and the Underground gets extremely busy after midnight. Buy tickets only via the official Ticketmaster page to avoid resale scams.