In London, Big Ben is the famous clock tower landmark traditionally associated with New Year's Eve celebrations.
Big Ben is the nickname commonly used for the Great Bell of the Palace of Westminster, although it is often applied informally to the entire clock tower. The tower is a prominent feature of London's New Year's Eve broadcasts, with its chimes marking the arrival of January 1.
The clock tower was completed in 1859 as part of Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin's Palace of Westminster design. Its official name became the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, in honor of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. The bell, however, remains widely known as Big Ben.
A common mix-up is treating Big Ben as the tower's official name. Strictly speaking, Big Ben is the great hour bell, while the structure is Elizabeth Tower. The clock's four illuminated faces are among London's most recognizable landmarks.