- Tickets for London’s world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks will go on sale on Friday 29 September at 12 noon
The first batch of tickets for the spectacular London New Year’s Eve fireworks will be available from midday on Friday 29 September.
This year’s stunning spectacle will once again be focused around the Coca-Cola London Eye on the River Thames. More than 3,000 people, from pyrotechnicians to stewards, work together to ensure that the capital’s celebrations run smoothly and are the most dazzling on the planet. The renowned pyrotechnic and lighting display will feature more than 12,000 fireworks, 2,000 lighting cues and 30 tonnes of equipment on three barges.
While Big Ben’s famous ‘bongs’ have fallen silent during vital renovation works this year, the unmistakeable bell will sound to kickstart the fireworks, ringing in the New Year in true London style.
As well as being enjoyed by more than 100,000 spectators in the viewing areas, the display is watched by over 12 million broadcast viewers on TV, promoting London as global capital of tourism and culture.
For those without a ticket, the event can be watched on BBC One and there are also hundreds of other opportunities to bring in 2018 in style at bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs across the capital.
Londoners are reminded to plan early and book tickets in advance. Those without a ticket will not be able to enter the viewing area. Demand is always extremely high with visitors travelling from around the world to witness this incredible display.
To ensure that the event is safe and enjoyable for all, the Mayor’s team is working closely with partner agencies including the Metropolitan Police, TfL, local authorities and the emergency services.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London is the greatest city in the world and our amazing fireworks display on the banks of the River Thames cannot be beaten. Visitors will witness an extraordinary display, showing that London is open for business, outward looking and open to all people from across the world.
“My number-one priority is the safety of all Londoners and, as always, the police and emergency services will be working closely with organisers to ensure the evening’s festivities run smoothly and are safe for everyone to enjoy.
“Whether you’re joining the thousands of revellers by the Thames, or watching the display from the comfort of your own home – I hope you enjoy the spectacular show.”
Those wanting to guarantee a view and entry for this year's celebrations will be able to book up to four tickets from midday on Friday 29 September by visiting www.london.gov.uk/nye. Each ticket is priced £10 – the same price as 2014, when ticketing was first introduced - with every penny being used to pay for the costs associated with the ticketing scheme.
For updates and information about how to book tickets go to www.london.gov.uk/nye.
ENDS
Notes to editors
MEDIA ACCREDITATION:
Photographers, broadcasters and members of the media looking to cover the New Year's Eve fireworks display need official accreditation from the Mayor of London's Press Office. Please complete this form by Friday 8 December for your accreditation request to be considered. Note that you must be able to provide an official NUJ ID card.
Notes to editors:
- The New Year’s Eve fireworks has been a ticketed event since 2014. From 2003-2013, before ticketing was introduced, the event was hugely oversubscribed, with up to 500,000 people heading into central London to try and catch the display. This put enormous strain on transport, infrastructure and the ability of emergency services to move around. A large proportion of them were unable to see the display at all, leaving them disappointed and with nowhere to go at midnight. The sheer numbers threatened the emergency services ability to respond to a major incident effectively, and left many thousands of people cold, tired and unable to get anywhere near the event. Ticketing the event has helped to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fireworks as a safe, enjoyable event. Since ticketing was introduced in 2014, the numbers who attempted to see the fireworks but were unable to do so have reduced.
- Approx. 103,000 tickets will be made available for the event this year. This is slightly fewer than 2016 (when approx. 110,000 were available) partly due to Thames Tideway Tunnel works taking place on Embankment
- Aside from the fireworks, London is one of the most exciting cities to be in on New Year's Eve with hundreds of events taking place in clubs, pubs and restaurants across the capital. There is a huge number of ways to ring in your New Year. To find out more go to: www.visitlondon.com/newyear.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Information for the media is available from Chris Calvert at [email protected], or call 020 7983 4755.
GENERAL PUBLIC/NON-MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Call the Public Liaison Unit at the Greater London Authority on 020 7983 4100
DUTY PRESS OFFICER: For out-of-hours media enquiries, please call 020 7983 4000