How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in London?
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How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in London?
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New Year’s Eve is always a great opportunity to make a real night of it and welcome in the New Year in style. Usually, this requires some thinking about where the party is and, more importantly, how you can snag an invite.
Not, however, in London. The Capital City on New Year’s Eve is an open party; if you can’t score a ticket – or don’t want a ticket – to that rave in the old warehouse, then you can rest assured that there will be another hundred events across the city to help you welcome in the new year.
With that in mind, we’ve put together some information to make sure you can make your New Year’s Eve a memorable one, in one of the most exciting cities in the world.
Planning Information
Visiting London before New Year’s Eve is a bit different to visiting at any time of the year. For one, it is, unfortunately, more expensive. Be prepared to spend above-average prices for your flights and hotel rooms, especially if you book late; if you have any friends or family in the city, now is the time to call in a favour and ask if you can stay with them. However, not everywhere in the city will be expensive – hostels and other budget accommodation are unlikely to raise the nightly rates too much at New Year’s, and if you book early then you could even get a good deal.
Also be aware that the usual services of a modern city might not all be available between Christmas and New Year’s. Banks, travel agents, and travel services will likely operate different hours at this time, so it’s important to plan accordingly; have a look out for any travel changes, and make sure you exchange your local currency for pound sterling before you land in London – you’ll have a terrible New Year if currency exchange offices are closed and you’re left without money!
And don’t worry about getting home – public transport is FREE across London between 23:45 and 04:30 in the morning.
What to Do
Winterville
Save the partying until the night time; during the day, check out Winterville, a festive pop-up town in Victoria Park, which has an outdoor ice-rink, live music, food stalls, and a whole host of other festive goodness. You can even start the nighttime festivities a little early by sinking a few local ales in the indoor pub.
Hole up in a Pub
Even if you’re not from London, you might be aware that the English love their pubs. As such, they’re one of the most lively and fun places to be at any time, but especially on New Year’s Eve. Don’t just go to any pub, though – pick a quintessentially English pub, one that welcomes old and young, cool and uncool. It’s likely that entry will be charged, but when you make friends and eventually leave the pub into the cold London air, you’ll be glad you paid it.
Hit the Clubs
Of course, some people prefer their New Year’s Eve’s to be a little more frantic. In this case, London is the best place to be – there are countless parties in some of London’s best clubs, catering to every taste – hip hop, indie, dance, jazz, and just about everything else. Have a look at what’s available and make sure you book your tickets in advance. You’re in for a memorable, all night affair; though, to be entirely truthful, you might not be able to remember it all the next day.
Fireworks
The crowning jewel of New Year’s Eve in London is the fireworks display over the South Bank. Contrary to other years, tickets are now required, and are available at £10 each. The fireworks – some of the best anywhere in the world – go off at midnight and light up some of London’s most iconic attractions. Attending the fireworks display is extra special if you’re visiting with young children; they’ll have a memory that will last a lifetime, and, as you’ll be sharing the moment with 100,000 other people, you won’t have to wonder where the real party is – you’re already there. Be prepared to bring your best singing voice and an open palm to embrace complete strangers – there’ll be a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne after the fireworks display is over.
Author - this is a freelance contribution sent in by site reader Sally Gold