London is doing New Year’s Eve fireworks – and you can watch the countdown here

The countdown to New Year’s Eve is rapidly approaching – with huge crowds expected across the capital to ring in a fresh new start to 2025.

Every year, the capital has the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Westminster near the London Eye and Big Ben.

Speaking about the show last year, Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “Every year, I’m completely astonished by how utterly mesmerising it is. There’s no doubt that these are the best NYE fireworks in the world.”

Unfortunately the ticketed event, which costs between £20 and £50, has already sold out for this year’s show.

However, there are spots where you can enjoy the dazzling show for free – so if you weren’t able to get a ticket, there is a chance you won’t have to miss out.

The show has six different viewing areas – Blue, Red, Pink, Green, White and Orange, an accessible viewing area. The locations have a specific number gate that is to be used on the night to enter the area ticket holders have booked.

The areas cover the stretch of Victoria Embankment, access to Waterloo Bridge, the area behind the London Eye, access to Westminster Bridge and the accessible viewing covers Albert Embankment riverside of St Thomas’s Hospital. They open from 8.00pm to 10.30pm

For those who don’t have a ticket, there are some places you can enjoy a view of the fireworks. Here are some of the best spots according to the Evening Standard.

Cannon Street and the east side of Monument aren’t far off from ticketed viewing areas, so you’ll be able to get a good view of the display. Unfortunately, with them being so close, the areas are most likely to be busy, so it’s important to get yourself down there early.

There are also bridges in London that also offer a view of the fireworks show. Southwark Bridge, Lambeth Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge offer a fair view.

Another surprising place where you’d get a fair view of the Mayor’s fireworks is Alexandra Palace. While it seems way fairly away from the official viewing areas of the site, the park’s skyline view from the top of its hill gives a remarkable view of many fireworks displays.

Of course, if you don’t fancy being out in the cold, you can always enjoy the fireworks show from the comfort of your home as it is always broadcasted on TV.