The NYE countdown begins: Britain prepares to welcome in 2026 in style as tens of thousands flock to London to watch Big Ben ring in the New Year with spectacular firework display on the Thames
Tens of thousands of revelers flocked to Britain’s capital this evening to catch a glimpse of Big Ben ringing in the New Year.
An estimated 100,000 partygoers from across the country and further afield flocked to London as they eagerly awaited the famous fireworks display on the River Thames.
But in the run-up to the biggest party of the year, there were not many smiles and cheers from Londoners angered by the closure of the capital’s parks.
Primrose Hill, one of the most popular places to watch fireworks, has been closed to the public for ‘public safety’ reasons; Meanwhile, Hyde Park and Greenwich Park will close early to keep partygoers away.
Meanwhile, partygoers around the world in Australia, Japan, Beijing, Singapore, Thailand and Manila welcomed the New Year with spectacular colorful displays lighting up the night sky.
Bitter cold weather is looming on the horizon as Brits merrily make their way to throngs of revelers heading to London, Cardiff and the world-famous Hogmanay street party in Edinburgh.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, which will affect the country from midnight to 12am on January 2.
Sisters Lisi and Aura from Gran Canaria celebrate Hogmanay in Edinburgh, Scotland
Jamie and Titus Crabtree wear kilts to celebrate Hogmanay 2026 in the Scottish capital with America’s Thomas Horton III
Revelers celebrating New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh celebrate 2026 with sparklers
Photos taken this afternoon show London Bridge already packed as Brits don woolly hats and scarves in preparation for the event
Visitors take photos against the backdrop of the Parliament Building and Big Ben, which will mark the new year
A large poster read in block letters: ‘NEW event tickets sold out’
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan reminded today that “tonight is the night” and advised those who do not have a ticket that they can watch the show on television in the “comfort” of their homes.
The fact that the tickets for the event have already sold out means that those who do not have a ticket will have no choice but to watch the match online.
Photos taken this afternoon show London Bridge already full, with Brits wearing woolly hats and scarves in preparation for the event.
Signs were also placed around London stations directing participants to where they could watch the event.
A large poster read in block letters: ‘NEW event sold out’.
Mr Khan said this evening: ‘The doors are about to open. It’s going to be a great night. We start working on these fireworks in July.
A spectacular fireworks display over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok as Thailand rings in the new year
A colorful display lights up the sky in Singapore as the country welcomes 2026
Dancers perform at the Juyongguan Great Wall in Beijing as revelers celebrate the New Year on January 1
A projection map is displayed at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building as the Southeast Asian nation welcomes 2026
Fireworks exploded over skyscrapers on New Year’s Eve in Manila, Philippines
New Year’s fireworks light up the sky in Taipei, Taiwan
‘We have over 12,000 fireworks. ‘We have lights and we will have illuminations.’
The Labor mayor claimed the display would be ‘the best fireworks in the world’.
He boasted that Londoners could expect the fireworks to reflect ‘looking back on our achievements’.
And it also hinted that “someone is looking for a husband,” along with a voiceover from a film story in London.
‘It is a great chance to introduce our city to the world. So a great night of entertainment also has a serious meaning,’ said Mr Khan.
He added: ‘Unfortunately we know there are bad people who want to cause us harm’, going on to claim ‘we are a target because of our diversity’.
Speaking about safety measures, he said that the organizers will be careful, but everyone should enjoy the night.
