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Original poster

London NYE fireworks tips

44 replies

KenAdams · 30/12/2019 20:54

We're off to the NYE Fireworks tomorrow (Blue zone entrance 1 near Victoria). Staying near Leicester Square for the night.

Does anyone have any tips? If we aim to get there for 10pm will we get in on time?

Any advice on getting back to the hotel would be welcome too as I know a lot of tube stations are closed.

Thanks!

OP posts:
ChocoChunk1 · 30/12/2019 20:58

Get there hours earlier than you think. Take snacks and drinks. The best spots fill up by 8pm.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 30/12/2019 21:48

10pm is cutting it majorly fine... it's usually rammed by 8pm. Take snacks and things!

If your hotel isn't too far away it's not too bad a walk back, there'll be loads of people doing it. Wear sensible shoes!

Reena17 · 31/12/2019 00:51

Hello,
We are planning to take our 18 month old son to the NYE fireworks. Same Blue zone.
Looks like buggies are not allowed for the event. So we will have to carry him the whole time.
We are new to the city and not sure how crowded it is going to be.

Any suggestions/tips are most welcome.

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Events & celebrations
JorisBonson · 31/12/2019 07:43

It will be incredibly crowded

Dozer · 31/12/2019 07:45

Comfy shoes! Tissues and warm clothes. Walk back to the hotel.

It’s unlikely to be much fun with an 18mo!

ThanosSavedMe · 31/12/2019 07:52

My tip would be to stay at the hotel/home! I can’t imagine anything worse than taking a young child into London on NYE. Maybe I’m a miserable cow but there you go!

Take lots of snacks, wear comfy shoes and expect lots and lots and lots of people

mealychump · 31/12/2019 07:54

Don't take an 18mo.

It will be loud, incredibly busy and stressful.

Surely the 18mo old will want to be tucked up in bed? They are likely to find the whole thing v overwhelming and stressful, or my two would have done at the very least!

SimonJT · 31/12/2019 07:55

10pm?!

To get a half decent spot you need to be there around 7pm, wrap up very warm, especially your feet. Don’t drink as going to the loo will lose your space.

Walk to the hotel, cabs will be extremely busy, by the time you get one you will be standing around for easily over an hour.

Clangus00 · 31/12/2019 07:57

I’ve never been, but I would expect hundreds/ thousands of people! 3 MILLION were at the fireworks last year. Definitely not something I would go to carrying a toddler. Hope you have ear defenders for him!

Caspianberg · 31/12/2019 08:00

www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/nye-2018_letter_blue_01.pdf

If you look here it tells you all the do's and don'ts. Its says no prams as event isn't suitable for young children, no rucksacks etc...

Also highlights to be in before 9pm ideally.

Anyone going with small children I would suggest taking a carrier/sling so they can be up on your back out of the crowds easier. And wrap up warm.
As you can't take large bags or rucksacks you need to just take the basics in (drinks in tin cans or plastic bottles, snack or two)

JorisBonson · 31/12/2019 08:06

@ThanosSavedMe you are not a miserable cow, I can't imagine anything worse.

I've worked it a few times too and the amount of fights / thefts double puts me off.

@Reena17 I would think twice, as a PP said the event isn't even suitable for young children.

Useful22 · 31/12/2019 08:11

REENA what if your 18 month doesnt like the fireworks. Also very crowded and not a great place for a baby. That's crazy and really unfair on your child, clearly you have no idea what london events are like.

Dubya · 31/12/2019 08:13

Go for a wee just before you leave!

inwood · 31/12/2019 08:14

No way would I take an 18 month old! It's horrendous!!

antlady · 31/12/2019 08:15

Don't go & watch from afar!

Well I suppose once is ok but I would not take a small child.

MrsSchadenfreude · 31/12/2019 08:15

I can’t think of anything worse. We went to the flat of a friend who lives near Embankment a couple of years ago and watched it from his roof terrace. The crowds were insane, and people were just standing there from 7 o’clock. We walked home, but the tubes were free and not insanely busy.

Bringonspring · 31/12/2019 08:16

I also would say don’t take a small child. However warn you wrap them up they will get cold because you won’t be moving much.

ThanosSavedMe · 31/12/2019 08:16

Thanks @JorisBonson. Dh said I was 🤣 not that he would want to do it either mind you!

ElloBrian · 31/12/2019 08:16

  1. avoid central London at all costs

  2. stay somewhere near a decent view eg Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park, Blackheath

  3. buy champagne, paper cups and nibbles in advance

  4. wait til about 11pm, then go for a stroll at the viewpoint of your choice

  5. enjoy fireworks

  6. back in the warm shortly afterwards

Voila!

ElloBrian · 31/12/2019 08:17

Or Primrose Hill. Or one of the many hilly parks in south London.

NeedAnExpert · 31/12/2019 08:18

I can’t think of anything worse. We went to the flat of a friend who lives near Embankment a couple of years ago and watched it from his roof terrace.

That’s what we used to do. Grin

Original poster
KenAdams · 31/12/2019 09:39

Well we aren't from London and don't have rich friends with penthouses so we'll definitely be going!

I don't understand how 3 million people managed to get into an event that has 100,000 tickets?

OP posts:
JorisBonson · 31/12/2019 09:39

The whole of central London isn't ticketed.

Original poster
KenAdams · 31/12/2019 10:18

I understand that it's the ticketed areas I'm referring to

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 31/12/2019 10:40

The ticket areas are just small areas with prime views that you pay to get into. You can still watch the fireworks from all over and surrounding these areas without a ticket hence millions in a small space. Many people will have tickets not to just stand and watch fireworks, but access to surrounding restaurants and nightclubs that also have viewing areas.
People with or without a ticket will still be walking the same streets and taking the same tube lines.