Anyone been to the NYE fireworks in London?

[Disasterclass]

We live in London and decided this year to go to the fireworks on the Thames- me, DP and DD (14). We didn’t have any plans for a change, and it feels like something you should do once in your life. Has anyone been? The tickets say we can access the area anytime between 8 and 10.30, can anyone recommend a good time to go? We’re in the red zone. What happens between 8 and the fireworks? We don’t just want to hang around for hours doing nothing. Is there food and drink and/ or can we take some in.

We went to the Ali Pali fireworks on fireworks night, which were fantastic, not sure if this is comparable, but we enjoyed being able to move around, get food and drinks etc.

*Ally Pally

I went for Millenium to the Thames fireworks, but it was a pathetic letdown !. Biggest problem for me was I was pregnant and couldn’t find a loo ANYWHERE!. It was very, very crowded, and cold, but even so, it was a great vibe. Lots of happy people, no trouble, and the tube ran all night so getting home was easy. I know that was 25 years ago, and it’s probably very different now, but it’s an experience you never forget, a very cool memory

We went years ago, I think if I remember rightly was 2006, it wasn’t as big as it is now, we were stood right by the London eye. Trying to get home was the nightmare as the shut off Waterloo, but DP had an asthma attack right in front of a police man who felt sorry for us and let us through. Everyone else was getting directed to stations miles away.

@Disasterclass I don't know, but the official website says there's food and drink vendors in your area, and loos etc

https://www.london.gov.uk/events/london-new-years-eve-2025?ac-279260=279251

@Writersblok bit confused by your post. On the one hand it was a pathetic letdown and on the other hand it was a great memory?! That's quite a contrast for one night 😂 I was there too, but on a roof terrace for a restaurant. I remember the fireworks as being really good. But I wasn't being jostled by lots of people.

The mad thing was, the police actually asked us to let people onto the terrace as there was apparently an overcrowding problem below. So some people ended up going there for free! One guy was literally crying tears of happiness and going round hugging everybody!

it was a great night. They showed all the millennium things on the big screen in the restaurant, and after watching New York ringing in the millennium, we got on the tube at 6 am. Partying like it was 1999 😂 they cleared back the tables so we had a dancefloor. So fun.

We’ve been a couple of times years ago, never with kids. My abiding memory is of a very crowded and slow journey home and long queues for loos (we’d eaten before arrival.) Very friendly party atmosphere though. With kids it’s been nicer to take a Thermos and snacks and watch from Primrose Hill.

DSis is in Paris and says theirs’ have been cancelled this year (maybe NYC too? ) which would make me a little nervous about going, but I get that people have different feeling about that.

Thanks all, we don’t really mind the slow journey home, and thanks for the link re food and drinks. I’m slightly wondering whether it’s worth it as we booked on a whim and I’m now wondering what on earth we going to do for hours while we wait for the fireworks. At least there’s no rain forecast!

@Disasterclass I think if it's possible, I'd aim to eat somewhere nice first - but they will all be really expensive menus

Then go at 10 to be on the safe side?

I don't know how much you pay for tickets. Tbh there's no way I'd be hanging around in the cold for that long! Also, I don't do crowds so when I went on the millennium, it was only because we paid for very expensive meals and tickets to a place with the Terrace.

But I hope you have a really good time. I know some neighbours who have been and they really enjoyed it.

It's definitely worth doing once. We got there about 9 and it was already rammed. There's a DJ and good music beforehand. Remember a very slow but well thought out line system to get back to the Tube with a lot of police herding people nicely.
It's a great atmosphere and for me the best bit was everyone singing Auld Lang Syne linking hands. Pretty atmospheric when there are a few thousand people belting it out.

I haven't been for years, but I do remember lots of waiting around and it being absolutely rammed! We couldn't find toilets anywhere and the queues for the underground were so long we decided to walk back home to Camden afterwards. I know all that sounds a bit rubbish, but it was good fun and I'm glad to have experienced it. The sound of the fireworks over the Thames is incredible!

I did it a few years ago and it got so crowded that I was squashed between two men and my feet weren't touching the ground. Someone was groping me while this was happening and I couldn't get away. My friend was with me and was holding my hand so we wouldn't get swept away from eachother but she was crying because she felt so frightened. It put me off crowds for a long time and was very unpleasant.

I also did Hogmanay in Edinburgh once and hated it too so maybe its just me!

Thanks all. I think dinner first then aim to get in about 10 is a good plan. Hopefully some good music and a few drinks will pass the time and fingers crossed for short toilet queues and not too busy. Will be keeping DD close!

@Darkdiamond oh my God, you poor thing

There are many reasons why I don't do crowds, but I actually haven't thought of that one

Millennium was the only time I've been in central London on New Year's Eve and just getting from embankment tube to the restaurant was awful! We could see the crowds on the embankment from the terrace and I don't know how anybody did it!

@Disasterclass probably makes more sense to go for dinner in your local area. I don't know if you'd be able to get in any anywhere in central London at this stage. Presumably that's what you're planning?

Pretty much everything is fully booked out, even where I live but my neck of the woods is big on New Year's Eve. So I would imagine you need to book that.

Or just have a really good late dinner at home?

Wouldn’t do it these days. London has a different vibe these days. Winter Wonderland has had several violent instances this year.

Yep was absolutely shite 🤣

Two years ago a family member had tickets did all the right things queued for hours then they shut some gates before midnight and there was a terrible crush and they never got to see the fireworks. Couldn’t believe how badly organised and dangerous it was.

yes and it was too busy. I hated it

Good luck i went before ticketing right down on the Southbank. 2 adults 2 dcs about 10 and 8. Great until it finished and we were swept up in a sea of people pushing forward.
That was unpleasant to say the least.
I've heard ticketing hasn't improved it. (By.my now adult ds).

We went a couple of years ago as have not been previously. Was a let down. But glad we went for the experience

to be honest, that's been the first thing I think of when I think about winter wonderland- it's been like that for ages

@Disasterclass I'm sure you don't need me to say this, but just in case it reassures, if you change your mind about going, fair enough. I try not to go anywhere near London these days. And I say this is someone who lived there for 28 years. And went in all the time prior to that.

Right, will make sure we get our elbows out for the crowds, and if it looks too busy we can always bail. We’re north Londoners, but happy to walk part of the way home if needed

Quick update in case anyone is interested for next year. It was a really good experience. We ate locally and then headed there for 10. No queues to get in and we had loads of room where we were stood. Went to the loo a couple of times and there were lots so didn’t have to queue at all. The food stalls looked busy but we didn’t need to access them. We took our own drinks which was allowed and some people had brought carrier bags with drinks and snacks. The atmosphere was lovely and there were quite a few younger kids, which I didn’t expect. The DJ played a lot of crowd pleasers and people were dancing while we waited for the fireworks. Also surprisingly easy to get out - we walked out the exit, lots of people but no queuing or shoving and walked up to Holborn and caught a not too busy tube home. Overall a success! Perhaps it’s different if you’re right near the fireworks but we had a decent view where we were.

We also went - in Blue - Gate 1 from Victoria - agree on all counts . No need to squeeze in with the crowd if you don’t want to - plenty of room to stand with a bit more room . We took own snacks , queues for everything were significant . We left promptly and managed to get on the tube at Victoria . Very family friendly . It was bitterly cold though despite us all being well wrapped up .

Oh, I'm glad you all had a good time

happy New Year 🥳