If you want to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style but don’t know where to go, look no further than London.
With so much to see and do, the capital is one of the top spots for a winter getaway. It’s also the perfect place to see in the new year. You can find activities for all ages, whether searching for the best spots to watch the fireworks or wanting to party the night away.
Are you looking for inspiration? We’ve found the best things to do in London on New Year’s Eve, with events to suit every reveller.
Trains to London on New Year’s Eve
For most central London New Year’s Eve events, London Waterloo will be your closest station. However, South Western Railway also provide services to nearby Vauxhall station and Clapham Junction.
Please note a limited public transport service runs on New Year’s Eve, with trains following a revised timetable. To help you get home safely, South Western Railway will schedule additional services departing from London Waterloo after midnight.
The best free spots to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks in London
Broadcast around the world, London’s spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks show is a great way to welcome the new year. But if you missed out on the ballot or want to save the cost of buying a ticket, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty more places to watch the fireworks.
Central London’s Bridges
Central London is home to several bridges, where you can stand to get about as close to the action as possible. These include Victoria Embankment, Waterloo Bridge and Westminster Bridge. Venture further down the Thames for a more secluded spot at The Millenium Bridge or Southwark Bridge. Set up camp at Vauxhall Bridge or Lambeth Bridge for more breathing room.
Cannon Street
Just outside the ticketed zone for the fireworks, Cannon Street is as close as you can get without having to pay. This riverside spot is set to be very busy, so make sure you arrive early to secure your place.
Primrose Hill
If you’d rather watch the fireworks from a higher viewpoint, catch a tube to Chalk Farm and walk to nearby Primrose Hill. The park gets busy on New Year’s Eve, but the grassy hill provides more space than the city streets below.
Alexandra Palace
Ally Pally may be more out of the way than other locations, but revellers can enjoy a memorable night here. From this distance, you’ll be able to see the various fireworks displays scattered across London’s skyline – plus the spectacular backdrop of Alexandra Palace makes things all the more special.
Additional spots to watch the fireworks include Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath, Telegraph Hill and Greenwich Park.
New Year's Eve concerts and shows in London
New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to see that show you’ve had on your London bucket list for a while, and luckily there are still plenty running on 31 December.
At The Royal Albert Hall, the fabulously festive Nutcracker has showings at 12:00 and 16:00 on New Year’s Eve. This spectacular production combines dance and acting with storytelling to create a show that people of all ages will love.
At St Mary Le Strand Church at 17:00, 19:00 and 20:45, the New Year's Eve Vivaldi on the Strand sees talented musicians come together to perform a beautiful classical concert. The serene event is held by the glow of candlelight and features many of Vivaldi’s timeless masterpieces – perfect for classical music fans.
Laugh your way into the new year at Up The Creek Comedy Club’s New Year’s Eve event. This iconic venue is one of the best places to see live comedy in London, and you can expect to see some of the best comedians during the show. The event, including a lavish afterparty, starts at 19:00 and continues until 02:00.
New Year's Eve cruises in London
In search of a New Year’s Eve boat party in London? Look no further than these fabulous cruises:
Departing from Tower Pier, City Cruises’ New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Cruise is the perfect way to welcome the new year. Eat, drink and party on this five-hour cruise, which includes a live band and a countdown to midnight where you can view London’s iconic firework display. The cruise departs at 20:15 and returns at around 01:15.
Toast to the new year on the New Year’s Eve Thames Cruise on the Sapele, departing from Bankside Pier at 21:00. Grab your favourite tipple from the bar, enjoy the live music and soak up one of the best views of London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks as you drift down the River Thames. The party ends at around 01:15, so there’s plenty of time for a dance!
London’s famous Uber Boats are pulling out all the stops this New Year’s Eve, with multiple events set to dazzle. Party on the New Year’s Eve Thames Cruise on the Jupiter Clipper, or enjoy a Dinner and Thames Cruise on the Meteor Clipper. Both include unmatched views of the fireworks show.
New Year's Eve clubs and parties in London
Put on your dancing shoes and head to one of these fun-filled parties in London this New Year’s Eve:
New Year’s Eve Jurassic Party at the Natural History Museum
Today is your lucky day if you’ve ever wanted to party at London’s famous Natural History Museum. The museum’s iconic New Year’s Eve event is back for another year and includes:
Live music and DJs
Musical bingo
A silent disco
Jurassic-themed performances and activities
Entry to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition
With a selection of the world’s best DJs, Defected NYE at Printworks promises an unforgettable night. Performers include Nic Fanciulli, Ferreck Dawn, Mike Dunn, Paige Tomlinson and many more. It’s the last Defected show scheduled, so be quick to book your tickets!
CarNYEval 2022 - New Year's Eve at Trapeze in Shoreditch
A circus-themed night like no other, CarNYEval at Trapeze features weird and wacky shows and performances, top-class DJs and a party atmosphere. Not forgetting the colossal confetti cannon drop as the clock strikes midnight!
New Year's Eve restaurants in London
Many restaurants close for New Year’s Eve, and the open ones get booked quickly. So, if you want to welcome the new year with a memorable meal, it’s best to plan. Here are some of the best restaurants for celebrating New Year’s Eve in London:
If you’re stopping the night in London for New Year’s Eve, make the most of your next day in the capital by attending some of these New Year’s Day events:
Newly opened in 2022, Battersea Power Station is a hub of activity, from shopping to dining. Over the winter season, get your skates on at Battersea’s pop-up ice rink, complete with fairground rides and a giant Christmas tree.
A Christmas market, thrilling fairground rides, an ice skating rink, an ice bar and more, Winter Wonderland has it all. New Year’s Day is busy, so buy your tickets in advance.
If you’re looking for something specifically themed to the new year, head to the New Year’s Day Parade in the city centre. Beginning at Piccadilly, the parade features spectacular indoor and outdoor performances to welcome the new year.
Thames Cruise
If you missed out on a chance to nab tickets for the New Year’s Eve Thames cruises, don’t worry. Plenty of Thames cruises run on New Year’s Day. Plus, you can enjoy 2FOR1 tickets with City Cruises if you travel by train.
With much to do in London for New Year’s Eve, why not plan your journey today? We offer various ticket types, whether you’re visiting London for the day or are spending a weekend in the city. Save money when travelling off-peak on our network, and save even more with Railcards and GroupSave.
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