London welcomes 2026 with spectacular fireworks display

londonbeautifullife
12 minutes ago
5 min read

London welcomes the new year with spectacular fireworks display

London has welcomed 2026 with the biggest-ever display of fireworks, lighting, music and animation
Many millions watched live around the world as around 100,000 ticketholders lined the banks of the River Thames to enjoy the largest annual firework display in Europe
The world-renowned show, organised by the Mayor of London, looked back at 2025, including England’s sporting successes, and sent a message of togetherness for 2026
In a unique event partnership with Universal Pictures, London celebrated the cinematic release of cultural phenomenon Wicked: For Good with a message from the film’s Grammy, Emmy and Tony winning star and three-time Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo, who has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list, followed by iconic pink and green fireworks
Every year the event attracts thousands of international and domestic tourists to the capital, showcasing London around the world and delivering millions to the economy

Many millions around the world watched live as London welcomed in 2026 with an incredible display of fireworks, lighting, music and animation.

Around 100,000 ticket holders lined the banks of the River Thames for the capital’s annual New Year’s Eve spectacular, organised by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

The eyes of the globe were watching as more than 12,000 fireworks and over 400 lights illuminated the night sky around the London Eye, providing an incredible advert for the capital.

Every year the display attracts thousands of international and domestic tourists, showcasing London around the world and delivering a significant boost to the economy. It is estimated that ticketholders generate around £14m in additional revenue for London’s businesses and economy each year.

For the second year in a row, millions watching on the BBC were able to enjoy unique hologauze animations that complemented the largest annual firework display in Europe.

The annual showstopper began with a countdown to the famous bongs of Big Ben welcoming in 2026. A wide-ranging soundtrack then looked back at key moments from 2025 and sent a message of togetherness for 2026, as the Mayor reiterated that London will always be a city of hope and a place for everyone.

The display included a tribute to an incredible year of women’s sport, with the Red Roses winning the Rugby World Cup and the Lionesses winning the Euros. It highlighted Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool becoming the first British men to win the Wimbledon doubles final for 89 years and Europe triumphing over USA in the Ryder Cup.

It referenced last summer being the UK's hottest on record and included a nod to the social media ‘tea-time alarm’ meme that suggested there is a daily alarm reminding British people to enjoy a cup of tea.

The display championed what it means to be English and British, including an image of flags representing the wide variety of countries of origin of people who live in and contribute to the success of London, to celebrate our diversity and send a message of unity for 2026.

The 2025 smash hit film Wicked: For Good featured as part of a unique event partnership with Universal Pictures to celebrate the cinematic release of the epic conclusion to 2024’s global cultural phenomenon, Wicked. Wicked’s iconic anthem of empowerment, “Defying Gravity”, played as fireworks lit up the sky in the film’s recognisable pink and green colours. Grammy, Emmy and Tony winner and three-time Academy Award® nominated London actress, singer, author and producer Cynthia Erivo, who stars as Elphaba in the Wicked films, recorded a message encouraging everyone to “embrace the magic we have inside and come together, for good”, as the watching BBC audience saw visuals from the film, including images of both Elphaba and Glinda, using hologauze technology. Cynthia was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to music and drama.

The soundtrack also included a wide range of hits from artists including RAYE, Ella Eyre, Sabrina Carpenter, Ed Sheeran, Whitney Houston, Sister Sledge, Heather Small, Gala, Coldplay and Noizu, as well as samples from a huge variety of styles including KPop, Latin, Afrobeats and The Band of the Coldstream Guards. Voice-over clips included England Rugby World Cup winner Jess Breach, England EUROs winner Jess Carter, Celia Imrie, who appeared in the UK’s biggest show of the year Celebrity Traitors, singer and Strictly Come Dancing star La Voix, TV presenter Alison Hammond, sports broadcaster Andrew Cotter, ITV Weather presenter Lucy Verasamy and Manali Lukha, and Sadiq.

The hologauze animations that were exclusively broadcast on the BBC included one of the capital’s distinctive Superloop express buses driving around the London Eye, the ‘tea-time alarm’ and images of the victorious Red Roses and Lionesses.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted that we have once again shown why London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are the greatest in the world. The eyes of the globe were looking on as we lit up our famous skyline with our best-ever display of fireworks and lighting, all to an incredible soundtrack. From celebrating our wonderful year of women’s sport and Europe beating the USA in the Ryder Cup, to celebrating our diversity and looking ahead to a fantastic 2026, we’ve sent the message that London will always be a city of hope and a place for everyone.”

Erika Lewington, Marketing Director, Universal Pictures UK & Eire, said: “Wicked: For Good celebrates the power of friendship and the incredible change that happens when people unite. We’re proud to partner with the Greater London Authority to bring that message to life at the London New Year’s Eve fireworks - an unforgettable moment of light, music, and togetherness at the heart of the city.”

Tracy Halliwell MBE, Director of Tourism at London & Partners (which runs Visit London), said: “It’s always fantastic to see Londoners and visitors from around the world come together and welcome the new year in London. One of the biggest celebrations in London’s annual events calendar, the New Year’s Eve fireworks are a brilliant global advert for the capital city. 2026 is set to be a big year of transformation for London: with new openings including the London Museum in Smithfield, V&A East in Stratford, plus a new large-scale theatre in Greenwich Peninsula.”

Robin Goodchild, Senior General Manager of the London Eye, said: “What a spectacular way to welcome 2026, we are delighted to have once again hosted The Mayor of London’s fireworks. From those celebrating with us here in London, to the millions watching at home with loved ones across the UK and around the world, we wish everyone a very Happy New Year.”