London New Year's Eve Fireworks 2026: Where to Watch and Where to Park
Everything you need to watch London's NYE fireworks on 31 December 2026 and park close by.
NYE Fireworks London 2026: Tickets, Viewing Areas and Parking Near the Thames
Around 100,000 people will line the Thames to watch Big Ben's bongs hand over to thousands of fireworks around the London Eye, and the roads nearby close early. If you're driving in, your parking needs to be sorted before the afternoon of 31 December, not on the night. Here's where to watch the London New Year's Eve fireworks, when the roads shut, and how to park nearby with a space already waiting for you.
Date: Thursday 31 December 2026, welcoming in 2027
Where: Along the Thames around the London Eye, Westminster and the South Bank
Show: Fireworks, lighting and music, ending with the traditional singalong of "Auld Lang Syne"
Tickets: Required to enter the designated viewing areas
Book NYE Fireworks Parking in London
Book your parking in London outside the closed area and you'll have a confirmed space before you set off, rather than circling closed roads on the busiest night of the year. Booking ahead with JustPark means:
A confirmed space before you leave home — no hunting for a spot once the roads close.
A choice of price points — compare car parks and private driveways near the river and pick what suits your budget.
Spaces outside the closed area — check the official closure map and choose a spot clear of the restricted zone, because parking inside it is suspended and your car can't be reached once closures start.
Everything in the app — directions, your booking and the option to extend if the night runs late.
London New Year's Eve Fireworks Tickets and Viewing Areas
You need a ticket to watch the fireworks from the designated viewing areas, and anyone without one won't be allowed in. Tickets are sold only through Ticketmaster; tickets bought anywhere else won't be valid. The first batch went on sale on 23 October, and a final, smaller batch will be released later this year, so keep an eye on the official London New Year's Eve page for the date.
Ticket prices, before booking fees, depend on the viewing area and where you live:
Blue, Pink and White areas: £55 full price, £35 for Londoners
Red, Green and Orange areas: £40 full price, £20 for Londoners
Each area gives you a different view of the show:
Blue: Victoria Embankment, from Westminster Bridge to the Golden Jubilee Footbridge.
Pink: Waterloo Bridge.
White: Westminster Bridge.
Red: Victoria Embankment, from the Golden Jubilee Footbridge to Temple Avenue.
Green: The area behind the London Eye.
Orange: The accessible viewing area on Albert Embankment, river side of St Thomas' Hospital.
Road Closures and Parking Restrictions on New Year's Eve
Plan your arrival around the closures. The details below come from the Mayor's guidance for residents and businesses; double-check the latest 2026 map before you travel.
Vehicle access is restricted from 2:00pm on 31 December until around 6:00am on 1 January, with contingency plans to start closures from 12:00pm in the busiest zones.
No vehicles are allowed inside the event area. Cars, vans, buses, coaches and bikes must be parked outside the closed areas, and all parking inside the event area is suspended.
No passes are issued to drive into the closures once they're in place, so arrive early and park outside the restricted area.
Overnight works come first. Localised closures are expected in the days beforehand for event set-up, on 26–30 December and 1–3 January.
Where to Park for the London NYE Fireworks
The closures cover the very streets you'd normally park on: Victoria Embankment, the South Bank and Waterloo, Westminster Bridge and the surrounding streets, and Trafalgar Square. Parking right next to the river is off the table, and even a space just outside the zone can be hard to leave once crowds and closures build.
The smarter plan is to park at a station on the Jubilee line, which runs straight into the heart of the fireworks, and finish the journey by train. These stations sit well outside the closures:
Park at Wembley Park — a direct Jubilee line journey into central London, ideal if you're coming from the north or west.
Park at Stratford — a major interchange for the Jubilee and Central lines, the Elizabeth line and the DLR, and well placed if you're driving in from the east or north-east.
Park near North Greenwich — Jubilee line access from south-east London, with no need to drive anywhere near the closures.
Park at Canary Wharf — Jubilee line, Elizabeth line and DLR connections, with all-night Elizabeth line and DLR services expected on New Year's Eve.
Whichever station you choose, book your space for the whole evening. Your car will be waiting when you get back, whatever time the crowds clear.
London Charges on New Year's Eve
The Congestion Charge doesn't apply between Christmas Day and the New Year's Day bank holiday, which covers 31 December. The ULEZ (£12.50) runs 24 hours a day, so check that your vehicle is compliant before you drive in.
Travelling in by Train for the NYE Fireworks
If you're driving in from the north or north-west, these stations sit on lines into Marylebone and Euston:
Park at High Wycombe Station — Chiltern Railways services run into London Marylebone, and late-night trains have run back to the Wycombe area in previous years.
Park at Amersham Station — Chiltern Railways and Metropolitan line services into central London, a good fit from Buckinghamshire and the Chilterns.
Park at Watford Junction Station — direct services into London Euston, for drivers coming in from Hertfordshire and the M1 and M25.
Trains from the north don't always run late. In 2025, operators such as Avanti, LNER, Great Northern and Greater Anglia ran no additional services, and some stopped earlier than usual, so check your last train home before you commit to a station.
If you're driving in from the south or south-west, park at a mainline station outside London and take the train into the city:
Park at Surbiton Station — direct South Western Railway services run into London Waterloo, a short walk from the South Bank.
Park at Orpington Station — Southeastern services run into central London via London Bridge, for Kent and south-east London drivers.
Park at Sevenoaks Station — also on the Southeastern line into London Bridge, handy if you're coming up from Kent.
Park at Clapham Junction Station — one of the busiest interchanges in the country, with South Western Railway services into Waterloo and an easy route in from south-west London.
Park at Chislehurst Station — Southeastern services run towards Charing Cross and Cannon Street, a good option from south-east London.
Park at Dartford Station — Southeastern services run into central London from here, handy if you're coming in from Kent or Essex over the Dartford Crossing.
Train companies have added a limited number of late-night services from Waterloo, Charing Cross, Cannon Street and London Bridge in previous years, but timetables for 31 December 2026 may not be published yet. Check National Rail before you travel. For other stations on your route, browse train station parking.
Book your station parking in advance. Spaces near stations fill up on New Year's Eve, so reserve yours before you set off.
Expect entry and exit controls. Embankment, Westminster, Waterloo and Charing Cross sit closest to the fireworks, and TfL has warned that stations near the river can be exit-only or temporarily closed at short notice, especially after midnight.
Consider getting off one stop early. Stations such as Southwark or London Bridge can be calmer than Westminster or Waterloo, and the walk in spreads you out from the crowds.
Plan your return. Queues build at central stations after midnight. Check TfL's night services before you leave, and book your parking for the full evening so your car is waiting when you get back.
NYE Fireworks London FAQs
Do I need a ticket for the London New Year's Eve fireworks?
Yes. A ticket is required to enter the designated viewing areas and can only be bought through Ticketmaster. Tickets sold elsewhere won't be accepted.
How much do London NYE fireworks tickets cost?
Tickets cost £20 or £35 for Londoners and £40 or £55 for visitors, depending on the viewing area, plus booking fees.
Can I drive into the NYE fireworks area?
No. Vehicle access is restricted from 2:00pm on 31 December until around 6:00am on 1 January, and all parking inside the event area is suspended. Park outside the closed area.
Where can I park for the London New Year's Eve fireworks?
Book a space in advance at a station outside the closures, such as Wembley Park, Stratford, North Greenwich or Canary Wharf, and travel in on the Jubilee line. Booking ahead means your space is confirmed before the roads close.
Is the Congestion Charge in force on New Year's Eve?
No, the Congestion Charge doesn't apply on 31 December. The ULEZ does, so check your vehicle is compliant.
Ready for Midnight?
Get your ticket, book your space, and arrive early, relaxed and ready to welcome in 2027. Search for parking near the river and lock in your space before the roads close.
