Spend a magical winter holiday in London and welcome the beginning of 2025. London is your first choice for a fun winter holiday with family or friends and a great option for a romantic celebration. The ideal destination for you if you want a different celebration on New Year's Eve with musical evenings and dining overlooking the London skyline, there are many free things to do in London on New Year's Eve, so don't miss the opportunity to watch the fireworks through the whole of London on a boat on the river, watch unique musicals and enjoy the musical performances that fill the streets of London.
7 Best Places to Celebrate New Year in London
London is the perfect city to celebrate New Year's Eve 2025 with your family or friends as it is full of delightful places and unmissable events, visit Buckingham Palace, one of the UK's most important historical attractions, as well as unique art galleries. And the same places for children and adults, such as the sea life aquarium.
Buckingham Palace
Experience a taste of royal life by visiting this iconic London palace, open to the public for a limited time each summer. Stroll through the majestic State Rooms, uncovering numerous treasures and artefacts, and admire a special exhibition. Conclude your self-guided tour in the charming gardens, where you can view the renowned lake.
Location: Buckingham Palace, Westminster, London, SW1A 1AA
Fee: from £32.00
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
Dive into the wonders of the deep blue sea at SEA LIFE London. Encounter up to 400 species within the aquarium, including sharks, stingrays, moray eels, and clownfish. Marvel at the impressive green sea turtles and challenge your courage on the glass "shark walk." Gain deeper insights through daily talks and feeding sessions.
Location: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB
Fee: From £27.00
The London Eye
Enjoy stunning 360-degree panoramas as the capsule gently rotates above the River Thames.
Step into one of the 32 glass capsules of the London Eye for breathtaking views of some of the city's most iconic landmarks.
Location: Riverside Building, London, SE1 7PB
Fee: From £34.00
Tower of London
Join a guard for a guided tour of the Tower of London, one of the world's most famous buildings. Explore its 900-year history as a royal palace, prison, execution site and more, including its former arsenal, jewellery house and zoo. Gaze up at the White Tower, step quietly into the mediaeval king's bedchamber, and marvel at the Crown Jewels.
Location: Tower Hill, City of London, London, EC3N 4AB
Fee: From £28.90
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Experience the magic with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Harry Potter films at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter. Explore the actual sets, costumes and props featured in the films, and tour iconic locations such as the Great Hall, Dumbledore's Office and Hagrid's Hut. It's the perfect adventure for all Harry Potter fans!
Location: Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7LR
Fee: From £89.00
Frameless
Get to experience the world's most famous paintings like never before at Frameless, the ultimate immersive digital art experience. Watch masterpieces by Dali, Monet and Van Gogh come to life through motion sensors and virtual technology, accompanied by specially composed music. Fully immerse yourself in some of the most iconic artworks in history.
Location: 6 Marble Arch, London W1H 7AP, United Kingdom
Fee: From £25.00
Madame Tussauds London
The Madame Tussauds London museum brings you up close and personal with some of the world's most celebrities. From Shakespeare to Taylor Swift, you'll meet celebrities in the entertainment, sports, politics, and even royalty industries. Take a photo with Usain Bolt, get up close and personal with Beyoncé or immerse yourself in the Marvel Universe 4D experience.
Location: Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5LR, UK
Fee: From £33.50
Read more: 6-Day London Itinerary with Almosafer
Fun Things to Do in London During New Year
Don't miss out on the best New Year activities in London, you'll have a great time spending time walking through Marylebone Village, enjoying the local atmosphere and gift shops, taking a trip down memory lane by visiting the Cartoon Museum and attending plays such as Harry Potter and The Lion King, and don't forget to start the day with tea and cake.
Go on a walk at Marylebone Village
Savour the festive charm of Marylebone Village as this cosy neighbourhood embraces the Christmas season with its quaint village atmosphere. Marylebone is also home to popular attractions such as Madame Tussauds and the Sherlock Holmes Museum, located in the fictional home of the legendary detective at 221B Baker Street.
Location: located in the heart of central London.
Visit The Cartoon Museum
Explore a rich array of artwork spanning from the 1800s to today at The Cartoon Museum in Fitzrovia. The museum highlights the best of British cartoons, comics, caricatures, and animation. Delve into an impressive collection of over 6,000 artworks and 8,000 books and comics. Ongoing exhibitions and events further the museum’s mission of conservation, education, and fostering new creative works.
Location: 63 Wells St, London W1A 3AE, United Kingdom
Fee: £8.50 per ticket for adults, Children ticket (under 18) Free
Experience London theatre
London's theatre scene ranks among the world's finest and most varied, offering everything from long-running musicals and classic comedies to cutting-edge plays. Be sure to catch the must-see shows in the West End, or explore more unconventional venues for distinctive and unique performances. Reserve your tickets early to secure the best seats.
Current theatre shows: The Lion King Musical, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Matilda the Musical London
4.Afternoon tea bus with panoramic tour
Savour the classic flavours of a traditional afternoon tea as you take a breathtaking panoramic tour of the city aboard Golden Tours' English Tea Bus. This unique experience allows you to explore the streets of London while indulging in delicious sandwiches and pastries, complete with stunning views of iconic landmarks such as the London Eye and St Paul's Cathedral.
Book from official website: visitlondon.com.
Best Places to Stay in London for New Year’s
Enjoy a cosy stay in London, your guide to the best hotels and comfortable apartments:
Hotels
Premier Inn London Tolworth Hotel
Hub By Premier Inn London Westminster Abbey
Premier Inn London Wembley Stadium
Apartments
Best restaurants to celebrate New Year in London
Here are suggestions for different styles of restaurants to enjoy New Year's Eve with a different view of the London skyline:
Sketch - This Michelin-star restaurant in Mayfair offers a truly unique artistic ambience and a sumptuous New Year's Eve menu with a variety of dishes and cocktails.
Duck - offers breathtaking views of the city and a vibrant atmosphere to celebrate the New Year with a special menu.
The Ivy - With a classic British menu and a lively atmosphere, The Ivy is a great choice for a festive New Year's Eve dinner.
Clos Maggiore - Known for its romantic ambience, Clos Maggiore in Covent Garden offers an upscale dining experience with a special New Year's Eve menu.
How to get around London: easy & fast ways
Here's a guide on how to get around London with convenient and free transport London is a city known for its crowds but provides many convenient and affordable forms of transport.
The Tube
Also known as the London Underground rail network, the best and fastest way to travel to, from and around central London. The London Underground has nine zones, with Zone 1 covering Central London. There are 11 Tube lines, and fares vary by distance, time, and payment method. Using an Oyster card or contactless payment is the most cost-effective. Tube services generally operate from 5 am to midnight, with Night Tube running on select lines on Friday and Saturday nights.
London buses
London's iconic double-decker buses offer a budget-friendly way to travel and see the city. All buses are cashless and require an Oyster card, Travelcard, or contactless payment. Fares are £1.75 per ride, with a maximum daily cost of £5.25 for bus-only travel. Transfers to other buses or trams are free within an hour of your initial journey. Night buses operate when the Tube is closed. For a unique view of London, consider taking a tour bus.
London Overground
The London Overground serves suburban areas and includes some Zone 1 stations, extending to Watford. Many Overground stations connect with the Tube. The Overground Night Service runs 24 hours on one line on Friday and Saturday nights. For journey planning, use a free London travel map or visit the Transport for London website.
Cycling in London
Transport for London (TfL) has created enjoyable leisure cycle routes that let you explore the city at a relaxed pace, with routes divided into short, manageable sections. While cycling through busy areas, it's important to wear a helmet, and some cyclists also choose to use face coverings.
Taxis
Only black cabs can be hailed directly from the street. If the yellow taxi sign is illuminated, the cab is available. Black cabs use a metre, with a minimum fare of £3.20. Minicabs can be less expensive but ask for the fare in advance as they don't use a metre. Always book a licensed minicab with a Transport for London licence disc; unbooked minicabs are illegal, unsafe, and uninsured.
Riverboat services on the Thames
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers runs frequent river bus routes. Both Oyster cards and Visitor Oyster cards are accepted. Tickets can also be bought via the Uber app. Fares depend on the zones and any applicable discounts, starting from free for children aged four and under, and up to £23.50 for an adult River Roamer ticket. All London piers are accessible except Cadogan Pier and London Bridge City Pier.
5 Travel Tips for New Year in London
Here are some tips for an enjoyable and hassle-free holiday. London is a notoriously cold city, especially during New Year's Eve, and is a popular winter holiday destination that gets crowded during New Year's celebrations, so these tips will help you avoid some common mistakes.
Best place to watch New Year fireworks in London
One of the best spots to watch New Year's Eve fireworks in London is the South Bank, particularly around the London Eye. The river bank provides a great location to watch the fireworks. Other famous viewpoints include Westminster Bridge and the area around the Royal Festival Hall. For a less crowded experience, consider heading to places like Greenwich Park or Primrose Hill, which offer stunning views of the city's skyline. The government operates an official website for booking tickets, which are likely to sell out well before December. If you're determined to attend, it’s advisable to book tickets well in advance. Additionally, there are spots in London where you can watch the fireworks for free.
Be Ready to Stand for Long Periods
Waiting for the fireworks can be quite a hassle and may become very boring if you're not prepared. Reaching the Thames requires navigating through multiple queues. Once you arrive, you'll need to stand among the crowd until midnight.
Pack Food and Drinks
Although London’s Christmas food stalls are reasonably priced, it’s still a good idea to bring your own snacks. Since you’ll be there until after midnight, especially if you arrive early, having your own provisions is useful. Chocolate is a great choice for staying warm and boosting your energy. When I went a second time, I brought sandwiches and a tube of Pringles, as they’re tasty and quite addictive!
Learn the Lyrics to ‘Auld Lang Syne’
This classic English song is a staple at London’s New Year’s Fireworks celebrations. After the fireworks, join in the tradition by singing the chorus of ‘Auld Lang Syne.’
Watch Out on the Way Out
After the show, leaving the area can be more chaotic than arriving. Expect more queues, as many regular Underground stations are closed to encourage people to walk farther away, which helps reduce crowd congestion.
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