London's famous New Year's Eve fireworks are traditionally staged around the London Eye.
The London Eye, a giant observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames, became the visual centerpiece of London's modern public countdown. Fireworks are launched from the wheel and nearby structures and barges, creating a display visible along the river and from many central viewpoints. The event is organized around the midnight chimes of Big Ben, whose clock tower is a separate landmark.
The fireworks are ticketed in the main viewing zones, while people also watch from bridges, parks, homes, and television broadcasts. The exact firing positions and display design change from year to year, but the London Eye remains the signature landmark in images of the celebration.
A frequent mix-up is answering Big Ben. Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell inside the Elizabeth Tower, not the fireworks launch landmark. The clock's chimes mark midnight, while the London Eye anchors the pyrotechnic spectacle.