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New Year's Eve in London

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New Year's Eve in London

The New Year's Eve festivities in London, England, have regularly consisted of a midnight fireworks show. The focal point of the festivities are the South Bank, where the chimes of Big Ben at midnight signify the arrival of the new year, and pyrotechnics are launched from barges along the River Thames and from the London Eye observation wheel. New Year's Eve celebrations were first held in an organised fashion in 1999 to celebrate the arrival of the year 2000, and produced by Ten Alps on behalf of the Greater London Authority. Due to disputes with the city, the New Year's fireworks shows were not held again regularly until New Year's Eve 2004, where Jack Morton Worldwide began to organise the show on behalf of the Greater London Authority. Public New Year's Eve festivities in London were suspended in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, being replaced by broadcast-only events due to restrictions or uncertainties surrounding public gatherings. These presentations for New Year's Eve included a fireworks and drone show, held at different London landmarks rather than the South Bank. The event returned to the South Bank for 2023, with events firm Identity assuming production duties on behalf of the Greater London Authority,

Infobox

Genre
New Year's Eve event
Date
31 December/1 January
Begins
8:00 PM (GMT)
Ends
12:45 AM (GMT)
Frequency
Annually
Locations
Victoria Embankment, South Bank, River Thames and the London Eye
Years active
2000–present
Inaugurated
2000
Founder
Mayor of London
Most recent
2024–25 (2025)
Previous event
2023–24 (2024)
Next event
2025–26 (2026)
Attendance
100,000 (2023–24)
Budget
£4.5 million (2022–23)
Website
https://www.london.gov.uk/nye

Tables

· History › 2011–2020
Year
Title
Description
2011–12
"Olympic Celebration"
Themed around London's hosting of the 2012 Summer Olympics. In a one-off event, fireworks were fired outwards from the top of the Elizabeth Tower. Fireworks were launched in the shape and colour of the Olympic flag, in a display that lasted approximately eleven minutes compared to being reduced to eight minutes in 2010.
2012–13
"Best Of 2012"
The fireworks were themed around events that occurred in the United Kingdom in 2012, including achievements by Great Britain during the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, and the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.
2013–14
"City of Firsts"[citation needed]
The theme of the show were the many "firsts" that have come from the United Kingdom and London; the event was promoted as the first "multi-sensory" fireworks display (with sponsorship from Vodafone) - with fruit-scented mists and edible, flavoured foam sprayed throughout the performance in coordination with the visuals.
2014–15
"World Class City"
The designer of the display stated that the fireworks would focus on how London could maintain its reputation as a "world-class city". Controversially, a £10 charge was introduced by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, for tickets to the official viewing areas.
2015–16
"Happy Blue Year"
Mayor Boris Johnson announced a partnership with UNICEF's New Year's Resolution for Children campaign to support children affected by the Syrian civil war. Multiple London and Edinburgh landmarks were illuminated with blue lights on New Year's Eve in support of the appeal.
2016–17
"Reflections"[citation needed]
The display focused on reflections of the past year, with themes focusing on Great Britain's achievements at the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. The display also paid homage to Prince, David Bowie, and Ronnie Corbett, who all died in 2016.
2017–18
"Women 100"
The display honoured the then-upcoming centennial of women's suffrage in the United Kingdom. A series of 23 red fireworks set to Ariana Grande's "One Last Time" were launched in remembrance of the 23 people who died in the Manchester Arena bombing.
2018–19
"London Is Open"
The theme of the show was London's "relationship with Europe"; it opened with the phrase "London is open" spoken in multiple languages, and featured a sequence in which the London Eye was lit in the colours of the flag of Europe. The theme was also reflected in some of the featured songs, such as "Don't Leave Me Alone", "Stay", and "We Are Your Friends". The show was criticised by supporters of Brexit for containing political gestures.
2019–20
"British New Decade"
The display featured music and soundbites relating to the then-upcoming UEFA Euro 2020, during which London would host seven matches; including the final.
· History › 2020–present
Year
Title
Description
2020–21
"The Power Of Hope"
The display was a broadcast-only fireworks, light, and drone show featuring various locations in London, including The Shard, The O2, Tower Bridge, and Wembley Stadium. The show featured tributes to Captain Tom's charity walk, the National Health Service (NHS), remote teleconferencing, and the Black Lives Matter movement. The finale of the show included an environmental appeal narrated by David Attenborough, while the city also promoted the event as being London's most "environmentally-friendly" New Year's Eve event.
2021–22
"Resilience Of The Nation"
The display was a broadcast-only fireworks, light, and drone show featuring various locations in London, including Royal Naval College, Greenwich, The Shard, and the Millennium Bridge (where Giles Terera delivered a poem by Tomfoolery), and featured the largest drone display ever produced in the United Kingdom. The event featured tributes to Great Britain's achievements at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Emma Raducanu's victory at the US Open tennis tournament, and Elton John. The West End Musical Choir performed an ABBA medley at Shakespeare's Globe as a tribute to the theatre industry, and closed the show by performing "Auld Lang Syne".
2022–23
"2023 With Love from London"
The display featured a theme of "love and unity"; it featured segments acknowledging the death of Elizabeth II (which included audio of the Queen, a message from Judi Dench, and an environmental appeal by Charles III), the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and commemorations of England's victory in UEFA Women's Euro 2022, and the 50th anniversary of Pride in London (including a message from Peter Tatchell). The display featured drone sequences over Horse Guards Parade, including the message "2023 with love from London", and renditions of Elizabeth II and her royal cypher.
2023–24
"London: A Place for Everyone"
The display featured segments celebrating the coronation of Charles III and Camilla (accompanied with a message from actress Helen Mirren, who has portrayed Elizabeth I and II in film), the 75th anniversary of the NHS (accompanied with a message from Stephen Fry), the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush (with Charles III and Floella Benjamin reciting Benjamin Zephaniah's poem "In This World"), and the 10th anniversary of recognition of same-sex marriage in England and Wales (accompanied by a message from Mayor Sadiq Khan).
2024–25
"Hope and Unity"
The display featured commemorations to the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, celebrating Team GB's achievements at the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Paris, England's Euro 2024 campaign, and looked ahead to 2025 which included a feature celebrating 25 years of the London Eye.

References

  1. Greater London Authority
    https://www.london.gov.uk/london-rings-2024-mayors-biggest-ever-fireworks-lights-and-drone-show-over-river-thames
  2. BBC News Online
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1032426.stm
  3. BBC News
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/587071.stm
  4. the Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jan/03/millennium.uk3
  5. "A damp squib: the Mayor's plans for New Year's Eve"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151005002514/http://legacy.london.gov.uk/assembly/reports/culture/nye2002_report.pdf
  6. BBC News
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4456482.stm
  7. Stand Out Magazine
    https://standoutmagazine.co.uk/jack-morton-successfully-delivers-european-friendships-firework-display/
  8. BBC News
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4134281.stm
  9. "Silence before midnight for dead"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4134303.stm
  10. "London New Year plans criticised"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4095111.stm
  11. The Hunts Post
    https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/24021016.new-year-celebrations-london-2024-fireworks-display/
  12. The Mirror
    https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/new-year-2012-watch-londons-170092
  13. BBC News Online
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16363248
  14. London SE1
    https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/6473
  15. BBC News Online
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20874115
  16. "Sweet Smelling success at NYE London fireworks | Aromaco"
    https://aromaco.co.uk/sweet-smelling-success-at-nye-london-fireworks/
  17. Bompas & Parr
    http://bompasandparr.com/projects/view/flavour-fireworks
  18. Reuters
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140104000142/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/01/01/uk-usa-new-years-idUKBRE9BU0LH20140101
  19. Greater London Authority
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140528183811/http://www.london.gov.uk/media/mayor-press-releases/2013/12/vodafone-joins-forces-with-mayor-for-worlds-first-multi-sensory
  20. DesignWeek.co.uk
    http://www.designweek.co.uk/news/designing-londons-new-years-eve-fireworks/3039586.article
  21. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/dec/31/new-years-eve-london-fireworks
  22. lbbonline.com
    https://lbbonline.com/news/londons-new-years-eve-fireworks-with-unicef-create-a-moment-for-good
  23. "Mayor's New Year's Eve fireworks display with Unicef"
    https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/london-new-years-eve-with-unicef
  24. Access All Areas
    http://accessaa.co.uk/mayor-of-londons-office-partners-with-unicef-for-spectacular-nye-display/
  25. Sky News
    https://news.sky.com/story/fantastic-fireworks-in-london-and-edinburgh-as-2018-arrives-in-uk-11191293
  26. BT.com
    http://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/girl-power-to-rock-the-show-at-londons-new-years-eve-firework-display-11364239541698
  27. Sky News
    https://news.sky.com/story/security-for-new-years-eve-celebrations-reviewed-met-police-says-11187374
  28. NME
    http://www.nme.com/news/music/ariana-grande-leads-london-new-years-eve-fireworks-soundtrack-2201143
  29. Express.co.uk
    https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/898655/new-years-eve-fireworks-london-eye-nye-pictures-latest-2018-celebrations
  30. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/happy-new-year-2019-london-firework-display-live-pictures-a8706211.html
  31. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/01/sadiq-khan-angers-brexiters-pro-eu-fireworks-display-london-new-years-eve
  32. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-years-eve-fireworks-london-europe-brexit-eu-sadiq-khan-a8704986.html
  33. www.london.gov.uk
    https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/londons-new-years-eve-fireworks-celebrates-uefa
  34. UEFA
    https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/025b-0f8e76aef315-8506a9de10aa-1000--uefa-postpones-euro-2020-by-12-months/
  35. "New Year's Eve: Police warning as UK prepares for 2020"
    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-50952973
  36. ITV News
    https://www.itv.com/news/2019-12-31/londons-new-year-fireworks-display-to-look-ahead-to-euro-2020/
  37. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-54204929
  38. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-55504450
  39. Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers and Obligations of Undertakings) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 SI 2020/1611, laid on 21 December 2020
    https://statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk/instrument/1Ac52Lys
  40. London Evening Standard
    https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/new-years-eve-london-fireworks-tv-light-show-sadiq-khan-b974467.html
  41. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-new-year-fireworks-blm-nhs-captain-tom-b1781216.html
  42. London Evening Standard
    https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/london-new-year-fireworks-replaced-trafalgar-square-event-sadiq-khan-b967094.html
  43. Sky News
    https://news.sky.com/story/new-years-eve-live-news-doctor-warns-lack-of-restrictions-on-parties-in-england-is-quite-risky-12506669
  44. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-63254508
  45. Sky News
    https://news.sky.com/story/londons-new-year-fireworks-include-tribute-to-the-queen-and-show-of-support-for-ukraine-12777661
  46. London Evening Standard
    https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/london-pays-tribute-queen-ukraine-074245630.html
  47. Access All Areas
    https://accessaa.co.uk/identity-produces-nye-fireworks-show-for-greater-london-authority/
  48. London City Hall
    https://www.london.gov.uk//press-releases/mayoral/fireworks-lighting-and-drones-welcome-2021
  49. London City Hall
    https://www.london.gov.uk//press-releases/mayoral/london-rings-in-new-year-with-spectacular-show
  50. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp83rez36ppo
  51. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64137076
  52. Evening Standard
    https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/london-new-year-2024-celebrations-uk-fireworks-b1129748.html
  53. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67855970
  54. X
    https://x.com/sadiqkhan/status/1874177010110783610?s=46
  55. New Year Live
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00gtn49
  56. New Year Live
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03nns31
  57. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/new-year-s-eve-live-london-fireworks-display-time-how-to-watch-bbc-stream-360-degrees-virtual-reality-a7503951.html
  58. Radio Times
    https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-12-31/new-years-eve-2018-tv-listings-bbc-itv-channel-4-new-years-fireworks-hootenanny/
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