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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:

eurochick · 31/12/2019 10:46

I can't think of anything worse, and I love fireworks. At least it's supposed to be fairly mild this year I suppose. Taking an 18 month old is utter madness.

EmpressLesbianInChair · 31/12/2019 11:44

People with or without a ticket will still be walking the same streets and taking the same tube lines.

Sounds like pickpocketing heaven. And then there’s what to do if the 18-month-old doesn’t like it?

Original poster

KenAdams · 31/12/2019 12:58

Hi yes I understand that but I'm asking about the ticketed zones only and how busy they might be in terms of getting a space to view if we arrive slightly later.

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antlady · 31/12/2019 13:29

the zones will still be busy

antlady · 31/12/2019 13:33

I would walk back to the hotel.

BayandBlonde · 31/12/2019 13:44

Ticketed and non ticket zones will be absolutely rammed, everywhere. Just because you have a ticket doesn't mean you will 'get a space'

It will be hell on earth. Good luck

Fere · 31/12/2019 13:44

Have look at photos of previous NYE celebrations, streets are full of people and not easy to move in those crowds. You won't be back in hotel for hours.

LoudBatPerson · 31/12/2019 13:58

The ticketed zones will be rammed full. Once you are in and have your spot you won't be able to leave, as your spot will be gone straight away.

If you turn up later than 7pm or so you won't get even a semi good spot.

The surrounding unticketed areas will also be packed.

The walk back will be slow.

It's not something I would ever do for "fun". Having had to go to places near to the fire works on New Year's Eve is bad enough let along actually going. I wouldn't even consider taking a small child.

LoudBatPerson · 31/12/2019 14:00

Also based on what I saw last year, people started queuing outside of the zones very early. Based on what I saw if you are hoping to get a good spot to actually see something other than the back of someone's head you will need to queue before the zone opening time .

Floralnomad · 31/12/2019 14:01

Even for the ticketed bits you need to be there early and it’s rammed . My dsis went with her extended family last year and said never again ! .

bettybattenburg · 31/12/2019 14:05

We are planning to take our 18 month old son to the NYE fireworks
Any suggestions/tips are most welcome.

Don't do it! It will be more crowded than Oxford Street on the last Saturday before Xmas. If you want to see them then go up to Alexandra Palace or Greenwich and watch them from there if the weather is good.

Kinsters · 31/12/2019 14:09

We went and watched them from some bridge or maybe a pier on the embankment one year - I don't remember it being rammed and the fireworks were pretty.

ConstableExhausted · 31/12/2019 14:12

@EmpressLesbianInChair I've policed NYE in London in previous years. I've stood in a cordon, blocking off a full-up Trafalgar Square to prevent crush injuries, and I could see the pickpockets about 6 feet away going at it. Couldn't do a damn thing or the cordon would have broken, and that would have been a genuine catastrophe.

Its hideous. Really not for children and not my idea of fun in any fashion. Please don't bring an 18 month old.

GrumpyHoonMain · 31/12/2019 14:15

You need to be at the zones when they open to get a reasonably good spot. So be prepared tor 5-6 hours of standing around. A free child friendly alternative is to go to Hampstead Heath - the views are spectacular

Icequeen01 · 31/12/2019 14:16

We went two years ago and stayed in London. We were staying at the Charing Cross Hotel and had tickets for the zone very near to that. When it finished we had to walk all the way up to Westminster and back Down a specific route as the police are very strict about the routes for the leaving crowds. What should have been a 10 minute walk Back to the hotel turned out to be nearly an hour. It was well worth it though but we were just two adults. I have to agree with others - there is no way I would take an 18 month old. The crowds are awful.

Original poster

KenAdams · 31/12/2019 19:15

Thanks all. I'll aim to head over about 10 and not take a bag!

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Original poster

KenAdams · 31/12/2019 19:15

About 8 not 10!

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Original poster

KenAdams · 01/01/2020 01:40

Well I went and it was all fine. Arrived at the entrance to my zone at around 8.45pm and was in the second row right outside the London Eye. Lots of space so we didn't feel claustrophobic. It was all very well organised and there weren't masses of people to the point where you were scared. Everybody was very well behaved. We had a great time. Wouldn't do it every year but really glad we went.

OP posts:

ThanosSavedMe · 01/01/2020 02:36

Hope you all had a fab time. You’re braver than me! Happy New Year 🥳

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