The Best Things to Do in London for New Year’s Eve

If you’re looking for a perfect New Year’s Eve destination, you should know that London is one of those destinations. It’s a perfect city to explore in the wintertime, with some pretty amazing NYE events. Wondering what are the best things to do in London for New Year’s Eve? Keep reading, we’ll tell you a little something about the best London NYE activities.

Clubs and Parties

Many of London’s clubs are hosting New Year’s Eve parties, and they’re usually ticketed. There are quite a few spectacular parties hosted in some unusual places, not only in clubs. Visit the Natural History Museum and attend the „Creatures of the Night“ party; ring in 2020 under the blue whale, involve in the mask making and musical bingo — sound’s like fun, right?

Celebrate at the Gold Mansion — still unknown location where you have to come dressed into a dazzling gold outfit and enjoy awesome fireworks. You can also attend the homage to the famous New York Times Square NYE party — New Year’s Eve Ball, or simply do the NYE Pub Crawling, or visit any of the London’s famous clubs — that’s always fun.

Party @ Ministry of Sound
(cc) Ministry of Sound Group Limited / CC BY-SA 4.0

Restaurants

If you’re looking for a nice New Year’s Eve dinner, there are so many restaurants in London you can visit. Go to Richmond to enjoy a fine dinner in an elegant Victorian country manor — we recommend The Petersham Restaurant, for a nice seven-course meal, background music by pianist Gareth Giles, and a glass of Champagne at the midnight. Love theme parties/dinners? Visit St Pancras Brasserie & Champagne Bar by Searcys for an amazing 1920s theme party. If you want a nice dinner and an awesome view of the city, visit Duck & Waffle — they’re open 24/7.

Shows and Concerts

Interested in some classic New Year’s Eve shows or concerts? You can listen to classical music from the Johann Strauss Orchestra with the Viennese New Year’s Eve Gala, at the Barbican. Another fun thing to do is to attend New Year’s Eve Comedy Carnival and watch some amazing comedians perform. Our favorite thing is definitely The Nutcracker — the most magical ballet performance in the world, it’s all about Christmas, you must see it.

Things to Do Outdoors

If you’re not that into parties, or just want to experience the NYE spirit on the streets of London, we have some options for you as well. Find the perfect ice-skating ring for you (there are many, check them out here), and enjoy some skating. You should definitely visit Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, there are some exciting rides, ice-skating ring, and the amazing family shows. Also, a city tour is a must — keep reading, we’ll get to that later.

Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park
(cc) Garry Knight / CC BY-SA 2.0

London Fireworks

No matter which option for the NYE celebration you choose, there’s one thing that you must do at midnight — stop everything that you’re doing and go outside, or look out the window, to see one of the most amazing fireworks in the world. Fireworks event is happening at the London Eye, and if you want to be at the very spot you must pay for the ticket. Unfortunately, tickets for this year’s event are already sold, but you can see the fireworks from all around the city. Check out the official London website for more details.

London Fireworks

What to Do on New Year’s Day?

Are you looking for some ideas for the day after, as well? There are a few events that traditionally happen on the first day of the New Year. Attend the traditional London New Year’s Day Parade 2020, where you’ll see about 10.000 performers parade through the streets of London. Also, all of the aforementioned outdoor activities are still available, so you can have some fun at the Winter Wonderland, or some ice-skating ring.

The New Year starts with January sales, so be sure to visit some of London’s most famous department stores and shopping areas, to find some good deals.

London City Tour

The city tour around London is a must, whether you decide to take it on the NYE or the New Year’s Day. London is an amazing city with so many cool landmarks that you must explore. Start with the Tower of London, it’s a medieval tower built in the 11th century, and for almost 1.000 years it was the most important building for the British Monarchy. At first, it was a palace, then a prison, and today it is the home of the Crown Jewels. One of the most famous landmarks of London, the Tower Bridge, is one really astonishing bridge built in the late 1800s. Get the ticket to explore it from the inside, and definitely walk across it — it’s really unique, you must experience it. Buckingham Palace is another historically very important building for the British Monarchy that is also a great tourist attraction. While you’re there, you must see the Changing of the Guard.

Famous Tower Bridge

Big Ben and Houses of Parliament

There’s so much more of London landmarks to see — such as Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey that is the stunning gothic church, and sooo many museums worth exploring. Stay tuned, we’re preparing more info on top things to do in London.