The London Eye is the focal point for London's New Year's Eve fireworks along the River Thames.
The annual display is staged around the South Bank, with fireworks launched from the London Eye and nearby positions on the river and bridges. The giant observation wheel provides a distinctive illuminated centerpiece visible from many parts of central London.
London's modern large-scale fireworks event began for the millennium celebrations on December 31, 1999, welcoming the year 2000. The city later developed a ticketed riverside event, with viewing zones spread along both banks of the Thames.
Big Ben is often associated with the countdown because the clock tower's chimes mark midnight, but it is not the focal structure for the fireworks themselves. The clock tower was officially renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, although “Big Ben” remains widely used for the great bell.