Tens of thousands of revellers have descended on Britain’s capital city this evening in a bid to catch a glimpse of Big Ben ringing in the New Year and more than 12,000 fireworks lighting up the night sky.
An estimated 100,000 partygoers from across the country – and further afield – have flocked to London as they eagerly anticipated the famed fireworks display on the Thames.
However, the run up to the biggest party of the year has not been all smiles and cheers as Londoners who have been left furious over park closures across the capital.
Primrose Hill, one of the most popular location to view the fireworks, has been closed to the public due to ‘public safety’, meanwhile, Hyde Park and Greenwich Park are set to close early in a bid to ward off partygoers.
Meanwhile, partygoers across the globe in Australia, Japan, Beijing, Singapore, Thailand and Manila have welcomed in the New Year with a spectacular array of colourful displays lighting up the night sky.
And while Brits are gleefully making their way to London, Cardiff as well as hordes of revellers heading to world-famous Hogmanay streets party in Edinburgh, a bitter cold snap is on the horizon.
The Met Office have issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice issued across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, which are set to take grip of the country from midnight until 12pm on January 2.
Parts of northern Scotland are set to be battered by heavy snow as the clock strikes midnight, leaving some rural communities isolated and sparking travel delays for drivers, buses and trains.
The forecaster has also warned of power cuts as well as impacted mobile phone reception and impassable cycle paths and pavements, with as much as 30cm of snow expected in some areas.
And the frosty temperatures are only set to blow further into the UK, with Northern Ireland, London and its surrounding areas, parts of the midlands and Wales also being issued with a yellow weather warning on January 2.
It comes after a rare cold-health alert was issued for the whole of England, amid warnings some are likely to die as a result of the Arctic freeze sweeping in with the New Year.
The bitter snap, predicted to last a week, has already seen temperatures plummet to almost -10C, and snow and ice has been forecast for many parts of the UK including London.
Amber cold-health alerts are in place for every region of England from 8pm this evening until the morning of January 6.
According to the government, this warning level means that the weather is likely to have ‘significant impacts’ on the public’s health and lead to excess deaths amongst people over 65 – and possibly younger age groups too.
It advises that people may struggle to keep their houses heated above 18 degrees, and that the mercury may also drop inside vital facilities such as hospitals and care homes.
London mayor Sadiq Khan issued a reminder today that ‘tonight is the night’ – advising those without a ticket that they could still watch the display on television ‘from the comfort’ of their home.
It comes the Metropolitan Police urged those without a ticket to Khan’s famous fireworks display near the London Eye and Big Ben to watch online as tickets have already sold out.
National Rail has announced that several rail firms will be running extra services after the clock strikes twelve and events in England’s capital city and boozy Brits make their way home.
Meanwhile, photos from this afternoon show a bustling London Bridge already packed with city-dwellers donning cosy woolly hats and scarves as they gear up to ring in the New Year.
Signs have also been spotted around London’s stations, directing attendees to where they can watch the event, with one large poster informing passers-by: ‘NYE event tickers sold out’.
‘The doors are about to open. It’s going to be a great night. We start working on these fireworks in July,’ Mr Khan said.
‘We’ve got more than 12,000 fireworks. We have lights and we’re going to have illuminations.’
The Labour mayor went on to claim the display was going to be ‘the best fireworks in the world’ as he boasted Londoners should expect the display to reflect on ‘our successes’.
And he hinted at a voiceover from a London movie story as well as ‘somebody looking for a husband’.
‘It’s a great chance to showcase our city to the world. So there is a serious point as well to a great night of fun,’ the London Mayor hinted.
‘Unfortunately we know there are bad people who want to cause us harm’, going on to claim the city is a target ‘because of [its] diversity’.
Speaking on security measures, he urged organisers would remain vigilant but insisted everyone should enjoy the night and celebrations.
Eastern parts of the globe have already welcomed the New Year, with Japan and South Korea ushering in 2026 with bell ringing ceremonies in their respective capital cities.
Meanwhile down under in Australia, Sydney welcomed 2026 with a stunning fireworks display.
