Each New Year’s Eve, fireworks light up the London skyline, delighting thousands of revellers.
In fact, the annual light show has become so popular that tickets for the official viewing areas – priced at £20 to £50 each for 2025 – sell out months beforehand.
Thankfully, you don’t need to pay to see the pyrotechnics and drones, as they reach up to 200m high and can be spotted across the city for free.
Here is what you need to know.
Where to watch London fireworks for free
More than 100,000 people will take to the capital for the event, so you may have to contend with crowds.
As long as you get to one of these spots early enough, though, you’ll get a great view of the action without spending a penny.
London bridges
Millennium Bridge and Tower Bridge are both open this year, but the City Bridge Foundation has warned that you cannot see the fireworks due to the bend in the river and tall buildings. Either way, you may want to avoid in case you’re disappointed.
But there are many bridges around London where you can post up for free.
Southwark Bridge, just northeast of the ticketed area, is expected to be extremely busy, so if you can’t get a spot here, head south of the river to Lambeth Bridge or Vauxhall Bridge for the next best thing.
Victoria Embankment, Waterloo Bridge and Westminster Bridge should also provide decent views, but bear in mind with the latter, there’s no entry after 8pm, while the others are likely to be pretty crowded.
Tube: Westminster, Waterloo, Vauxhall, Lambeth North.
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Cannon Street/Monument
To the east of the display, the stretch between Cannon Street and Monument stations offers a decent vantage point.
This area will be very busy, so ensure you get there early for a prime spot near the river.
Tube: Cannon Street, Bank, St Paul’s, Monument.
Primrose Hill/Parliament Hill
Alternatively, you could save yourself a trip into town by heading north to either of these picturesque parklands.
Primrose Hill, which is 76m high, will give you a great spot to enjoy the bangs and whizzes and toast 2024 in style, and although Parliament Hill is a little further out, its 98m elevation gives great visibility.
Tube: Chalk Farm, Belsize Park (Primrose Hill), Hampstead, Hampstead Heath Overground (Parliament Hill).
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is another viewing point which should be slightly less manic than elsewhere in central London.
The best view is at the top of Point Hill, which offers superb views of London, but do get down early as it fills up quick.
Tube: North Greenwich, Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich DLR.
Alexandra Palace
A little further afield, but this is a good bet for north London residents who want to avoid the crowds in the centre of town. Be prepared for a steep climb to the top of the hill but the views you’ll get when you reach the summit will be worth the effort.
Tube: Wood Green (followed by W3 bus), or you can get the train to Alexandra Palace station.
Things to remember about London New Year’s Eve fireworks 2024
Keep in mind, you’ll be unable to enter the official event without a ticket.
It’s also going to be busy right across the city, and certain areas will be closed off if they’re too crowded.
Make sure also that you plan your journey before heading out: while the Tube is running all night, some stations, especially those close to the centre of town, will be exit-only, while trains may not stop at others after a certain time. Tube travel is also not free this year, as it has been in previous years.
Buses may be on diversion from early afternoon too, so check your route ahead of time to avoid any travel mishaps.
Since it will be fairly chilly (the Met Office is forecasting lows of 9°C) and there’s potential for rain, wrap up warm – ideally wearing something with a hood, since umbrellas probably aren’t the best option given the number of people in close quarters.
Those going to the fireworks are advised to pack light and take only what they need – which is also a good tip if you plan to watch the display elsewhere.
This article was first published on December 28, 2023.
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