At London's annual New Year's Eve fireworks, Big Ben is traditionally used as the midnight countdown clock.
The familiar name Big Ben properly refers to the great bell inside the Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster, although it is commonly used for the whole clock tower. Its chimes provide the audible signal for midnight, while the tower is often shown prominently in broadcasts of London's celebration.
London's modern fireworks display is centered on the River Thames, with viewing areas near the London Eye and Westminster. The event developed into a major organized spectacle in the 21st century, combining a timed fireworks sequence with music and a large public crowd. Big Ben's chimes give the celebration a recognizable transition into the new year.
A frequent mix-up concerns the clock's name: the tower was called the Clock Tower until 2012, when it was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honor of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. Big Ben remains the name of the bell, not the official name of the tower.