London holds the annual New Year's Eve fireworks over the River Thames.
The display is staged in central London, with fireworks launched from the London Eye, barges, and nearby sites along the Thames. The spectacle is coordinated with the midnight chimes of Big Ben, although the famous clock tower is officially called the Elizabeth Tower. Large crowds gather in designated viewing areas, while many others watch the televised event.
London's modern fireworks celebration began in 1999, welcoming the year 2000, and became an annual event in 2003. The display has grown into one of the United Kingdom's most prominent public New Year's celebrations. Tickets are used for the main controlled viewing zones because demand is high.
The event is sometimes mistakenly described as taking place at Big Ben itself. Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell inside the Elizabeth Tower; the fireworks are spread across the Thames waterfront and are particularly associated with the London Eye.