Salute to the Lionesses sees London kick off 2026 in style: Capital’s patriotic New Year fireworks captivate millions with tributes to sporting greats taking centre stage – and Land of Hope And Glory even gets a look in

The UK has ushered in the New Year with a spectacular display of more than 12,000 fireworks as the capital city celebrated Britain’s best with nods to sporting greats, including the Lionesses.

An estimated 100,000 partygoers from across the country – and further afield – flocked to London as they eagerly anticipated the famed fireworks display on the Thames. 

And as Big Ben’s famous gongs welcomed in 2026, a sea of colourful fireworks erupted into the sky, with an ode to the country’s best sportsmen and women taking centre stage. 

In the 12-minute display, an array of pyrotechnics filled the night sky amid a tribute to the country’s many sporting triumphs over the last twelve months, including the Women’s Rugby World Cup and the Lionesses’ historic back-to-back Euros win. 

As previously hinted by London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, the show also paid homage to the capital’s diversity as a narrator declared that England was ‘Caribbean barbers with the sharpest trim’ and ‘Christian neighbours saying Happy Hannukah mate’.

Before briefly blaring God Save the King, the voice added: ‘This is what England means to me. It’s about loving each other, no matter who you are or where you are from or who your God is, because this is England. This is the United Kingdom.’

And as the city’s skyline was showered in various shades of purple, the patriotic English tune composed by Edward Elgar, ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, made a brief appearance.

Europe’s largest display captivated millions across the nation, while also recognising Britain’s many musical talents, such as Raye, Ed Sheeran, Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo, and even a reference to Jess Glynne’s viral Jet 2 Holiday advert.

And after a sea of fireworks erupted as Coldplay’s ‘In A Sky Full of Stars’ played, the crowds closed out the extravaganza with the Scottish tune, Auld Lang Syne, traditionally sung to bid farewell to a year passed.

Ahead of the spectacular show, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised Brits that ‘renewal will become a reality’ in 2026 via X, as he wished the nation a Happy New Year. 

 ‘In 2026, the choices we’ve made will mean more people will begin to feel positive change,’ he said. 

‘The promise of renewal will become a reality, and Britain will turn the corner. From my family to yours: Happy New Year.’

Meanwhile, the Houses of Parliament were showered the colours of the Union Jack flag as the London Eye – which took centre stage – emitted soft sapphire lights. 

Brits made their way to cities across the country, including London and Cardiff, as well as hordes of revellers headed to the world-famous Hogmanay street party in Edinburgh.   

Elsewhere, other partygoers braved the cold in Bristol, Leeds and Newcastle as they geared up to take on the highs and lows the next year may bring.

And while many were in good spirits, others were not. In Birmingham, one man was pictured being apprehended by police while another was wheeled away on a stretcher.  

However, the run-up to the biggest party of the year was not all smiles and cheers as Londoners were left furious over park closures across the capital in a bid to ward off partygoers. 

Primrose Hill, one of the most popular locations to view the fireworks, was closed to the public due to ‘safety.’ Meanwhile, Hyde Park and Greenwich Park were also closed.

The Metropolitan Police also issued a dispersal order across vast swathes of central London. 

Announcing the order, the force said: ‘It gives officers the power to order people to leave the area. Those who refuse to do so are liable to arrest.’ They also continued to assert the display was ‘fully sold out’.

‘Please be aware of scammers trying to sell fraudulent tickets. We’ve just arrested three people doing so near Trafalgar Square,’ the spokesperson added.  

Khan previously drummed up excitement around the event, while also advising those without a ticket to watch the display on television ‘from the comfort’ of their home.

Signs were spotted around London’s stations, directing attendees to where they could watch the event, with one large poster informing passers-by: ‘NYE event tickers sold out’. 

Among the famous parks in the capital city that were blocked off to the public by ‘grotesque’ barriers yesterday was Primrose Hill in Camden. 

A popular viewing spot for the fireworks with its panoramic views of London, there were an estimated 30,000 people celebrating at the park in 2024.

But earlier this week, the area was turned into a no-go zone for ‘public safety’, with the gates locked until 6am after parks police were axed in a bid to reduce costs.

Areas of the royal park were cordoned off with solid green hoarding, while other parts had just the temporary fencing to prevent would-be spectators from entering.

Meanwhile, Greenwich Park was also closed to the public, and Hyde Park was shuttered at midnight to ward off partygoers.

Alexandra Palace was shut to the public as the City of London Corporation urged revellers not to congregate at Hampstead Heath to avoid impacting the wildlife.

Elsewhere, locals of the famed Primrose Hill voiced their fury at the Royal Park’s decision, branding it an ‘overreaction’.

Amy McKeown, a resident who is part of the Primrose Hill Keepers volunteer group, revealed she had already left the area to celebrate New Year’s Eve with family elsewhere.

‘It is too grotesque to see,’ she said. ‘The park has never been closed like this. This is completely unprecedented. 

‘This is a public park where people should be able to come to watch the fireworks. This is exactly what we should be encouraging people to do.’

Catherin Usiskin, who has lived in the area for more than four decades, described the move as ‘an overreaction.

‘It’s just ridiculous,’ she said. It’s such an overreaction. You can’t close down society.’

She revealed Primrose Hill, part of which is in Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s constituency, has become a lot more crowded since she began living there.

‘I understand it’s more difficult to police,’ she said. ‘But since the pandemic, there has been hysteria over Primrose Hill.’

She said the closure will be harmful to restaurants and pubs in the area, but believes people will still try to gather in the park by climbing over the fencing.

Ms McKeown said the boarding is similar to barriers those used at one of Britain’s biggest festivals, Glastonbury.

The Royal Parks charity manages eight parks across London, which include Hyde Park, Greenwich Park, The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill. 

Recently, the organisation announced it would close Primrose Hill to the public for the fireworks event due to ‘limited controls’ in their ability to ‘ensure public safety’.

The closure of the park comes after the Metropolitan Police disbanded the Royal Parks Operational Unit in November in a bid to help plug a £260million funding gap.

Meanwhile, there have been growing concerns about the safety at the park following the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Harry Pitman on New Year’s Eve 2023.

The schoolboy was in Primrose Hill to watch the fireworks display when Areece Lloyd-Hall, 18, stabbed him in the neck. He was jailed for a minimum of 16 years in November.

The Met Police claimed it was ‘not accurate to suggest’ the decision to shut Primrose Hill was necessary because the Royal Parks policing team was disbanded.

Revellers came out in force despite the Met Office issuing yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, which are set to take grip of the country from midnight on December 31 until 12pm on January 2. 

Parts of northern Scotland are set to be battered by heavy snow today, leaving some rural communities isolated and sparking travel delays for drivers, buses and trains. 

The forecaster also warned of power cuts, as well as impacted mobile phone reception and impassable cycle paths and pavements, with as much as 30cm of snow expected in some areas.

And the frosty temperatures are only set to blow further into the UK, with Northern Ireland, London and its surrounding areas, parts of the Midlands and Wales also being issued with a yellow weather warning on January 2. 

It comes after a rare cold-health alert was issued for the whole of England, amid warnings that some are likely to die as a result of the Arctic freeze sweeping in with the New Year.

The bitter snap, predicted to last a week, has already seen temperatures plummet to almost -10C, and snow and ice have been forecast for many parts of the UK, including London. 

Amber cold-health alerts have been put in place for every region of England from 8pm yesterday until the morning of January 6.

According to the government, this warning level means that the weather is likely to have ‘significant impacts’ on the public’s health and lead to excess deaths amongst people over 65, and possibly younger age groups too.

People have been told they may struggle to keep their houses heated above 18 degrees, and that the mercury may also drop inside vital facilities such as hospitals and care homes.

Ahead of London’s NYE display, Sadiq Khan teased how the fireworks organised since July were going to set the tone for ‘a great night’. 

‘We’ve got more than 12,000 fireworks. We have lights, and we’re going to have illuminations,’ he said.

The Labour mayor went on to claim the display was going to be ‘the best fireworks in the world’ as he boasted Londoners should expect the display to reflect on ‘our successes’. 

Speaking on security measures, he urged organisers to remain vigilant but insisted everyone should enjoy the night and the celebrations. 

National Rail announced that several rail firms will be running extra services after this morning as boozy Brits make their way home. 

Meanwhile, Hogmanay’s organisers were to save on fireworks for tonight’s six-minute show in the Scottish capital, which is set to run with a bespoke soundtrack. 

In 2025, the historic event was cancelled for the third time since 2003 due to bad weather, meaning around 45,000 partygoers had to seek alternative arrangements. 

The final ScotRail train on New Year’s Eve will leave earlier than usual this year, with no services on January 1, the rail firm said. 

Stonehaven’s Hogmanay fireballs event went ahead, with around 10,000 expected to be in attendance. 

Meanwhile, partygoers across the globe in Australia, Japan, Beijing, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea welcomed in the New Year with a spectacular array of colourful displays lighting up the night sky. 

More than 45 European countries also ushered in 2026 ahead of the UK, with fireworks merging from historic buildings across the continent, including the Bradenburg Gate in Berlin and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Images have also emerged showing armed officers patrolling Russia’s capital city Moscow, where a fireworks display near the Red Square was cancelled. 

The area has been shut to the public until 8am on January 1, however, locals were pictured embracing each other near St Basil’s Cathedral.