Big Ben is the London landmark whose clock is traditionally associated with Britain's New Year's Eve countdown.
Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the striking clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. In everyday usage, people often use “Big Ben” to mean the entire clock tower, which was officially renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012.
The tower's clock and bell became important national timekeeping symbols after the Palace of Westminster was rebuilt in the nineteenth century. Its midnight chimes are widely broadcast during New Year's Eve celebrations, allowing people across the United Kingdom and beyond to follow the transition into the new year.
The clock tower is sometimes confused with the nearby London Eye, which hosts major fireworks displays and is another prominent feature of London's celebration. Big Ben supplies the iconic chimes, while the London Eye is associated with the visual fireworks spectacle.