Big Ben’s clock strikes midnight during London’s famous New Year’s Eve broadcast.
Big Ben is the nickname commonly used for the great bell at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, although many people also use it for the clock and clock tower. Since 2012, the tower has officially been called the Elizabeth Tower. Its chimes are a central audio and visual symbol of London’s New Year transition.
Large crowds traditionally gather near the River Thames, where fireworks are launched around the London Eye and other locations. Television coverage often combines views of the clock, the river, and the illuminated skyline as the United Kingdom enters the new year.
A common mix-up is calling the entire tower Big Ben. Technically, Big Ben is the great bell inside the tower; the clock is the Great Clock of Westminster. The tower was renamed in 2012 to honor Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.