In London's New Year's Eve celebration, fireworks are launched near the London Eye.
The London Eye, a giant observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames, became the visual center of London's televised New Year's Eve display. Fireworks are fired from the wheel and nearby barges, creating a sequence along the river opposite landmarks including the Palace of Westminster. The show is organized for large crowds and is also watched by television audiences.
The display is commonly associated with Big Ben because the clock tower's chimes help mark midnight. However, Big Ben is a bell, not the structure from which the fireworks are launched, and the Elizabeth Tower is the tower's official name. The London Eye opened to the public in 2000, making it a relatively modern symbol of the city's New Year celebration.