The London Eye is London's famous New Year's Eve fireworks landmark beside the River Thames.
The giant observation wheel stands on the South Bank, opposite the Palace of Westminster. Its position gives visitors and television audiences a prominent view of central London, including the river and many historic buildings.
London's major televised New Year's Eve fireworks display developed around the London Eye after the turn of the millennium. Fireworks are launched from the wheel and nearby structures, while Big Ben's midnight chimes provide the countdown after the clock tower's restoration and normal operation.
The London Eye opened to the public in March 2000. It was originally intended as a temporary Millennium celebration attraction, but its popularity led to it becoming a permanent feature. It has 32 passenger capsules, representing London's 32 boroughs, although the capsules are numbered from 1 to 33 because number 13 is omitted.