The London Eye is used as a centerpiece for New Year's Eve fireworks in London.
London’s official New Year celebration takes place along the River Thames, with fireworks launched from the London Eye, barges, and nearby structures. The giant observation wheel provides a highly visible circular frame and a central landmark for television coverage.
The event is organized by the Mayor of London and attracts large crowds along the river, although access to the main viewing areas is controlled and commonly ticketed. The fireworks accompany the midnight transition from December 31 to January 1 in the United Kingdom’s local time zone.
London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and the Houses of Parliament are sometimes visible in coverage, which can lead viewers to name the wrong landmark. The London Eye itself is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the Thames, opened to the public in 2000 as part of the millennium celebrations.