London hosts the annual New Year's Eve fireworks over the River Thames.
The display is centered near the London Eye and uses the river, bridges, and nearby landmarks as part of its visual setting. Big Ben's clock chimes mark midnight, while fireworks are launched from barges and locations near the London Eye and surrounding bridges. The event is organized by the Mayor of London and has become one of the city's defining annual public celebrations.
London's modern large-scale fireworks tradition began for the millennium celebrations in 1999, welcoming the year 2000. A regular annual event followed in the 2000s, and tickets are used to manage access to the main viewing areas. Millions more people watch through television or online broadcasts.
The display is sometimes described as a Big Ben fireworks show, but Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell in the Palace of Westminster's clock tower. The fireworks themselves are staged across the Thames rather than launched from the bell tower.