A Londoner who braved the capital’s world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks says the reality on the ground was a far cry from the glittering TV spectacle
Daniel Windham Assistant Editor
09:40, 02 Jan 2026Updated 09:43, 02 Jan 2026
The event is attended by around 100,000 people each year(Image: Greater London Authority)
London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are billed as one of the world’s most spectacular ways to ring in the year, drawing tens of thousands of people to the Thames and millions more watching at home.
This year’s display, staged around the London Eye and officially branded as the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, featured a tightly choreographed show set to music and broadcast live on the BBC.
The display – set to a soundtrack which included the likes of Raye, Sabrina Carpenter, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay and featuring voice overs from stars such as Celia Imrie, Andrew Cotter and Alison Hammond – celebrated some of the highlights of 2025.
But for one attendee, the reality on the ground was a far cry from the glossy TV spectacle.
In a candid review of the night, Londoner Alex Dodman said anyone wondering whether they are “missing out” by not heading into the capital for the fireworks can rest easy. Posting on YouTube, he said: “Don’t worry, you’re not,” they said bluntly.
They pointed out that years ago the event was free to attend, as was free travel on the Underground on New Year’s Eve — a gesture that has long since disappeared.
Alexandra Palace fireworks on Friday, November 1 last year (Image: Leon Neal/Getty Images)
This year, tickets were required to access designated viewing zones. “My ticket cost £45 for the Green Zone behind the London Eye,” they explained. “You’re all penned in like sheep, and the last entry is 10.30pm. Once you’re in, you’ve got over an hour and a half to kill in a massive crowd.”
For anyone prone to anxiety, they described the experience as “your worst nightmare”. With little to do while waiting, options were limited. “The only crumb of comfort you can get is either finding a portaloo, joining the massive queue for the only food van in here — where a burger costs 20 quid — or sitting down on the floor.”
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The view, they said, did not justify the price. “For £45 the view from this section is awful as well. Yeah, you can see the back of the London Eye, but you also get to see the back of the building site.”
Following the event, Sir Sadiq Khan hailed the capital’s celebrations as the “greatest in the world”. Among the feats acknowledged in the display were England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup triumph, the Lionesses retaining the Euros and Europe’s Ryder Cup win, while there was also a nod to the film Wicked: For Good.
People on London’s Embankment waiting for the start of the fireworks display(Image: PA)
However, Alex’s verdict of the fireworks themselves was lukewarm. “They were… yeah, fireworks. Loud and bangy,” they said. Watching the replay later only reinforced their disappointment. “I’ve just watched it back on the BBC, and this whole thing is definitely set up for TV. We could hardly hear any of the music and got none of the good stuff.”
Leaving the area after midnight proved to be the final straw. “Getting out after was the worst bit. You’re already cold and tired, and now all of the tubes around here are absolutely rammed and it took ages to get anywhere near inside the station.”
Their conclusion was unequivocal: “Honestly, this is no exaggeration. It was one of the most pointless nights I’ve ever had. If you stayed in and watched it under a duvet, well done. You did the right thing. What a waste of time.”