London defies weather for spectacular fireworks display

After Big Ben marked the start of the new year, the 11-minute display began with the message “Your New Year Is Unwritten”. 

To a diverse soundtrack covering the likes of Vera Lynn, Sir Elton John, Travis, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, One Direction and Charli XCX with voiceovers from people including Dame Imelda Staunton and Sir Ian McKellen, the celebration looked back at 2024 with topics including the weather, the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, Euro 2024. 

The celebration doubled as a 25th birthday party for the London Eye, which provided the centre point for the fireworks, with the message to “honour our history and never give up hope for our future”. 

The mayor’s office said around 100,000 ticketholders had attended London’s fireworks display. (AP PHOTO)

The mayor’s office said around 100,000 ticketholders had attended the display, which included more than 12,000 fireworks and 420 lights. 

Declaring that London will “always be a city of hope and place for everyone”, the display ended with a message from Paddington Bear that “anyone can fit in” in London before a version of Auld Lang Syne by Boney M. 

The show was organised by the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, who had declared it the “biggest fireworks taking place anywhere across Europe”. 

He said: “It’s fantastic to welcome 2025 with our biggest and best-ever New Year’s Eve celebrations. 

“From honouring the heroes of the D-Day landings to Paddington Bear celebrating our capital’s diversity, I’m proud that we sent a message of hope and love to the world, as we build a better London for everyone.” 

Crowds sheltered under umbrellas to watch fireworks and enjoy entertainment in Manchester, but the weather curtailed celebrations elsewhere with fireworks displays in Blackpool, Newcastle, Ripon in North Yorkshire and the Isle of Wight axed. 

The Met Office has numerous weather warnings in place across the country with almost every region affected throughout New Year’s Eve and into Wednesday. 

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, which include a street party and fireworks, were cancelled due to safety concerns.