London hosts the United Kingdom’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks beside the River Thames. The display is centered near the London Eye and is watched by crowds along the river as Big Ben marks midnight.
London’s large organized fireworks event began for the millennium celebrations at the end of 1999 and became an annual event in 2003. The display uses landmarks such as the London Eye, the riverfront, and nearby bridges as part of its visual setting. It is also broadcast nationally and internationally.
The event is distinct from the New Year’s Day Parade, which takes place on January 1 and follows a route through central London. Big Ben’s clock tower is officially named the Elizabeth Tower, but “Big Ben” properly refers to the great bell inside it. The bell’s midnight chimes provide a familiar audio moment in the celebration.