Where to watch the fireworks on New Year's Eve in London

London's official New Year's Eve fireworks take over the riverside between Westminster, The Strand, Blackfriars, and Waterloo, offering unbeatable views of the capital's midnight spectacle. Tickets are essential and tend to sell out fast, so move quickly if you want in. If you're one of the lucky ones, wrap up warm, plan your journey, and get ready to celebrate among the thrilling crowds as London lights up to welcome 2026.

Perched high above the city, North London's Alexandra Palace is a favourite spot for watching fireworks burst across the skyline, including the main display by the Thames. The view from the front of the palace is nothing short of spectacular, with London glittering below, and the park fills with a lively, festive crowd ready to welcome the New Year in style.

Get close to the Palace of Westminster, home of the UK Parliament, and you'll have one of the best vantage points for London's New Year's Eve fireworks, with the ticketed viewing areas just across the river. It's also where Big Ben stands, so you'll be perfectly placed to hear its iconic chimes ring out as the clock strikes midnight and the New Year begins.

Celebrate New Year's Eve on the water at Tamesis Dock, the permanently moored Vauxhall boat known for its lively parties and unbeatable views of London's fireworks. One of the more affordable options in the city, tickets start from £99 per person and include five drink tokens and party food served until 11pm. DJ Paul Cud will be spinning disco and house classics from Donna Summer to Daft Punk, keeping the dance floor buzzing from 8pm until 4am. The perfect spot for glitter, good vibes and an unforgettable start to 2026.

Celebrate New Year's Eve 180 metres above London at Searcys at The Gherkin, where a touch of mystery meets pure sophistication. From the 39th and 40th floors, take in sweeping city views as you enjoy bottomless drinks, delicate canapés, and live DJ sets. Expect an evening of glamour, music, and surprise performances as masked guests dance beneath the Gherkin's glass dome, watching the fireworks explode across the skyline. 

Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath offers one of the best free views of London's New Year's Eve fireworks, with sweeping vistas across the city skyline. Access is easy from Gospel Oak station, but since the Heath spans over 800 acres, it's worth arriving early to find your spot before midnight. Wrap up warm, bring some friends, and enjoy a relaxed, scenic way to welcome 2026.

See in 2026 aboard the Good Ship Battersea Barge, one of London's most charming floating venues. Moored in Nine Elms near Battersea Power Station, it offers twinkling views of the city skyline and a cosy party atmosphere. Enjoy live music from Irish entertainer Jason Stubbs, whose crowd-pleasing setlist will have everyone singing and dancing all night. Guests arriving before 9pm receive a complimentary glass of Prosecco, and discounted tickets are available for the Tamesis Dock after-party.

Celebrate New Year's Eve in serious style at Aqua Shard, with floor-to-ceiling views of London lighting up below. Expect a slick mix of modern British cooking, great Champagne, and a buzzing late-night atmosphere as DJs take over and fireworks sparkle across the Thames. Whether you're in for dinner or staying through the countdown, this is one of the city's most polished – and scenic – ways to see in 2026.

Welcome 2026 in style at Madison, the rooftop spot with unbeatable views of St Paul's and the city skyline. Start the night with a three-course dinner and live music, or head up later for drinks, canapés and a proper party atmosphere. As midnight hits, you'll have a front-row seat for the fireworks – both the big display and the ones popping up across London. 

Moored opposite the London Eye, The Tattershall Castle offers one of the best seats in town for London's famous New Year's Eve fireworks. Step aboard this vintage paddle steamer for a night of canapés, live music, and a lively atmosphere right on the water. With stunning views of Westminster and the Thames, it's a front-row experience and the perfect place to toast the arrival of 2026 in London style.

You're guaranteed great views at Oblix – it's on the 32nd floor of The Shard. The modern and sophisticated venue combines a relaxed bar and lounge with a restaurant, but every space offers fantastic views. They're hosting an exclusive NYE dinner party on 31 December, with the windows meaning the London fireworks are a guaranteed part of the programme.

Between Lewisham and Brockley, Telegraph Hill Park is a local favourite for catching the New Year's Eve fireworks without venturing far from South London. Head to the upper section for clear, uninterrupted views of the city skyline and fireworks lighting up the night. It's a relaxed spot with plenty of space – and a great place to snap some photos as London rings in 2026.

Welcome 2026 in style at Sky Garden, set among tropical greenery with breathtaking views of London and the Thames. Enjoy live DJs, entertainment from ALR Music's Brooklyn Shakers, and unforgettable fireworks at midnight. Choose from dining packages at Fenchurch, Darwin Brasserie, or Larch Italian, or join the party-only experience in the bars. Guests at Fenchurch and Darwin receive free party access, while Larch diners can upgrade to join the celebration.

Welcome 2026 from the very top of London at Horizon 22, the city's highest New Year's Eve party. From 58 floors up, enjoy unbeatable views of the Mayor's fireworks and sparkling displays across the capital. The night features live DJs, saxophonists, and dancers, creating a high-energy atmosphere above the skyline. Guests can enjoy bottomless drinks until midnight, alongside canapés, sushi, and a seafood tower.

Watch London's famous fireworks in style from 8 at The Londoner, a sleek sky-high bar with panoramic city views. Enjoy Japanese-inspired small plates, such as lobster gyoza tacos, sashimi platters, and robata-grilled black cod, alongside a signature cocktail and Dom Pérignon Brut Vintage, with a minimum spend of £400 per person. After dining, stay for drinks and take in the spectacular views stretching from Trafalgar Square to the London Eye, the perfect spot to welcome 2026. Guests can also upgrade to the exclusive omakase tasting menu for somethingn even more special.

Skylon's floor-to-ceiling windows and prime location on the South Bank make it a great place to view the fireworks and see in the new year. This modern European restaurant has a luxury feel, and dazzling decor gives the place a seasonal look. On New Year's Eve, you can sample an indulgent tasting menu.

Some bridges across the Thames are within the event's ticketed areas, but many of the ones that aren't still give you a great vantage point. One option is Tower Bridge, which is itself picturesque and full of history. Stand on this world-famous landmark and take in the magnificent views – not just of the New Year's Eve fireworks but the bridge itself as well.

See out 2025 and welcome 2026 in unforgettable style at 1 Leicester Square's rooftop soirée – the ultimate spot for skyline views, flowing fizz and full-on glamour. Enjoy Prosecco and cocktails on arrival, then indulge in free-flowing drinks, roaming canapés, and bowl food before midnight bubbles and grapes as the fireworks burst over the London Eye. After the countdown, it's Espresso Martinis and a live DJ to keep the dancefloor alive well into the small hours.

Step above the crowds this New Year's Eve at Circe's, where the city's fireworks feel close enough to touch. Themed around the Greek goddess herself, the Divine Aurora: New Year's Eve with the Gods party promises a night of glamour and spectacle. Expect unlimited drinks, canapés, live music, and immersive entertainment, all framed by panoramic views of London's skyline. For something extra special, you can even upgrade to a private Champagne pod on the rooftop terrace – the ultimate way to toast 2026 in style.

London's most famous countdown calls for something special, and The Riverside delivers it in style. With front-row views of the London Eye fireworks and the Thames sparkling at your feet, this is New Year's Eve done properly. Begin with a five-course feast or dive straight into the all-night party, where the DJ keeps the beats flowing and the champagne never stops. From cocktails to confetti and that unforgettable firework finale, The Riverside is where London comes alive to welcome 2026.

Ring in 2026 at Coq d'Argent's elegant New Year's Eve celebration, a night of French-inspired luxury high above the City. Enjoy a five-course tasting menu featuring dishes like champignon sauvage, flétan and petits fours, followed by a private terrace fireworks display, live music and dancing. For a more relaxed experience, opt for the early bird menu (£150) or bar tickets (£50) to soak up the atmosphere without the full dinner spend.

Celebrate New Year's Eve in true style at The Portrait Restaurant by Richard Corrigan, perched atop the National Portrait Gallery with breathtaking panoramic views of London's skyline and fireworks. Enjoy an indulgent four-course menu featuring dishes like lobster ravioli, Dover sole with caviar, and Royal Windsor venison, accompanied by live music and Champagne at midnight. Guests can choose from lunch, early dinner, or the full evening celebration, with limited window tables offering the ultimate front-row experience. For an extra touch of luxury, upgrade to the premium wine pairing and toast to 2026 in one of London's most elegant dining settings.

One of the best spots to watch the London NYE fireworks from is on the River Thames, and City Cruises offers just that. Different New Year's cruises are available, ranging from family-friendly boats to gala dinners on the water. All of them include a prime spot for watching the fireworks display go off at midnight.

The Conduit starts NYE proceedings with a glass of fizz on the fifth floor before a luxurious five-course dinner at the Rucola restaurant, featuring dishes like seabass crudo, cornfed chicken with porcini, and a chestnut-gingerbread cheesecake. After dinner, you'll step into a lush, nature-inspired cabaret filled with live music, acrobatics, and mesmerising dance, before moving to the rooftop for bubbles, a live sax performance, and prime views of London's fireworks.