Big Ben is the London landmark whose chimes traditionally focus the UK’s televised New Year’s Eve countdown.
Big Ben is the nickname commonly used for the Great Bell of the clock at the Palace of Westminster. Strictly speaking, the name refers to the bell, not the entire clock tower, which was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012. The bell’s deep hour strikes and the clock’s quarter-hour chimes are among London’s most recognizable sounds.
At midnight, broadcasts use the clock’s twelve strokes to mark the beginning of January 1. London’s fireworks display is staged nearby along the River Thames, so television coverage often combines the chimes, crowds, and fireworks.
A frequent error is calling the whole tower Big Ben. The tower’s official name is Elizabeth Tower; Big Ben is the bell inside it, although everyday usage often applies the nickname to the structure.