The River Thames forms the backdrop for London’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
The fireworks are launched around central London landmarks along the Thames, including the London Eye and bridges in the city center. Large crowds gather on the riverbanks and in designated viewing areas, while millions more watch the event on television.
London’s modern public fireworks tradition developed into a major annual spectacle in the early 21st century. The display is coordinated with the midnight transition from 31 December to 1 January and is accompanied by music and extensive crowd-control arrangements.
The Thames is sometimes confused with the River Mersey because Liverpool also hosts major celebrations and fireworks. The London display, however, is specifically associated with the central Thames waterfront and landmarks such as the London Eye.