New Year’s Eve fireworks in London 2019: best places to watch for free
Tickets for the official show are sold out, but there are plenty of free spots that offer a great view
As happens every year, tickets for London’s main New Year’s Eve fireworks display sold out long ago.
The event, which began in 2003, has been ticketed – and limited to around 100,000 – for safety reasons since 2014, after almost 500,000 people turned up in 2013.
But if you were hoping to catch a glimpse of the display, there are still viewpoints across the city where you can catch all of the action for free.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Primrose Hill
Nearest stations: Chalk Farm, Swiss Cottage and Camden Town
As one of the highest points in the city, this beautiful park is the perfect spot to watch the fireworks as Big Ben strikes 12 midnight. For best results, pair the view with a bottle of bubbly and a warm picnic blanket.
Parliament Hill and Hampstead Heath
Nearest stations: Hampstead, Gospel Oak and Belsize Park
Another North London location, Hampstead Heath is a perennial favourite and usually a good family-friendly venue for New Year’s celebrations. This spot also goes well with a bottle of champagne brought from home.
Hilly Fields
Nearest stations: Ladywell and Crofton Park
As the Evening Standard is quick to point out, North London isn’t the only area offering great viewing spots for New Year’s Eve.
This green hangout in Brockley also offers great views down on to central London and is surrounded by some good pubs if you are looking somewhere to go before midnight.
Millennium Bridge
Nearest stations: London Bridge or Bank
If you don’t mind wrapping up warm and getting there a bit earlier, Millennium Bridge is a great place to watch London’s New Year firework show light up the sky.
Similarly, Southwark Bridge, Tower Bridge, Vauxhall Bridge and Lambeth Bridge are all pretty near the fireworks and don’t require tickets, so if you want a clear view of the event but haven’t managed to grab a ticket these locations are great alternatives.
Alexandra Palace
Nearest tube: Wood Green
Another leafy, north London option, Ally Pally is located further from central London and so is likely to be less crowded than some other locations. It provides panoramic views of the capital, including the city’s fireworks on the Thames.
Fireworks fans are advised to check TFL.gov.uk for the latest travel news before they set off on their journey and to arrive early at their destination.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Will Gary Lineker's departure be an own goal for the BBC?
Today's Big Question Former star striker turned highest-paid presenter will leave Match of the Day after 25 years, with BBC head of sport reportedly declining to offer him a contract
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The potential impact of Trump tariffs for the UK
UK goods exports to the US could be hit with tariffs of up to 20% seriously affecting the British economy
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Shoot to Kill: Terror on the Tube – a 'raw' and 'riveting' docuseries
The Week Recommends Channel 4's 'gripping' two-part show explores the Metropolitan police killing of an innocent man in the aftermath of 7/7
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Pope aide under fire for 'mystical orgasms' book
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Seeing stars, prescribing comedy and decriminalising drugs
podcast What will the James Webb Telescope accomplish? Why is the NHS sending people to comedy courses? And are drugs laws about to change in the British capital?
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘The fight against far-right extremism doesn’t start with classics written in a past society’
Instant Opinion Your digest of analysis and commentary from the British and international press
By The best columns Published
-
Movie mogul’s £6m London mansion collapses during ‘iceberg’ basement work
Speed Read Chelsea property belonged to the family of late executive Arthur Abeles
By Chas Newkey-Burden Last updated
-
Cathedral livestreams memorial service for stray cat
Speed Read And other stories from the stranger side of life
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
The luxury London neighbourhood that may be renamed over slavery links
Speed Read Holland Park under scrutiny by city authorities after local statue vandalised by protesters
By The Week Staff Published
-
Instant Opinion: ‘London must thrive if we all want to prosper’
In Depth Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Monday 27 January
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why Uber drivers are suing Sadiq Khan
Speed Read Minicab operators say mayor’s decision to make them pay congestion charge is discriminatory
By The Week Staff Last updated