Despite temperatures hovering around zero, an estimated 100,000 people gathered along the banks of the River Thames for the sold-out event, which was launched near the London Eye at midnight. Millions more watched the spectacle live on television.
The fireworks display, billed as the largest annual show of its kind in Europe, featured more than 12,000 fireworks and over 400 lights illuminating the skyline. The display was accompanied by a soundtrack including artists such as Raye, Sabrina Carpenter, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay, with voiceovers from Celia Imrie, Andrew Cotter and Alison Hammond reflecting on moments from the past year.
Highlights of 2025 celebrated during the display included England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup victory, the Lionesses retaining the European Championship title, Europe’s Ryder Cup win, and a nod to the film Wicked: For Good. The show also referenced the UK experiencing its hottest summer on record and playfully acknowledged the viral “tea-time alarm” meme.
Speaking to the Press Association, London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said the theme of the celebrations was togetherness. “I think diversity is a strength, not a weakness,” he said. “It makes us richer, not poorer, stronger, not weaker. I’m delighted that we have once again shown why London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are the greatest in the world.”
Elsewhere in the UK, major cities marked the new year with their own events. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations returned after being cancelled last year due to adverse weather, with more than 40,000 people attending events across the city. Thousands gathered on Princes Street ahead of midnight, enjoying entertainment including pipe bands, drummers, a DJ set by Belgian duo 2manydjs, and a silent disco.
Among the revellers was Ann Bracefield, a primary school teacher visiting from New Zealand, who said: “It’s where to be for New Year’s.” She added that she was determined to attend after last year’s celebrations were cancelled.
Fireworks were launched hourly above Edinburgh Castle in the lead-up to midnight, while the Concert in the Gardens at Princes Street Gardens West was headlined by the band Wet Leg. Organisers confirmed that more than 40,000 tickets had been sold.
Manchester hosted its official display in St Peter’s Square, while Newcastle upon Tyne welcomed 2026 with its “Howaymanay” celebrations on the Quayside, combining local traditions with a large fireworks display.
Globally, countries across multiple time zones also marked the start of 2026. The island of Kiritimati in Kiribati was the first place in the world to celebrate the new year. Australia welcomed 2026 with an extensive fireworks display across Sydney Harbour, alongside a minute’s silence to commemorate victims of the Bondi Beach attack.
In South Korea, tens of thousands gathered at Seoul’s Bosingak Pavilion, where a traditional bronze bell was struck 33 times at midnight to symbolise peace and prosperity for the year ahead. Japan held similar bell-ringing ceremonies, while fireworks displays lit up the skies over Singapore and other major cities.
New York is set to mark the new year at 5am GMT, with performances by Diana Ross and Ciara as crowds gather in Times Square.
