Celebrate New Year's in Britain

There is no shortage of spectacular things to do in Britain to welcome 2023. From annual traditions and festivals, to parties, fireworks and beyond, Britain has something for everyone to celebrate the beginning of the new year.

London, England: For an iconic New Year’s Eve celebration, head over to London for the world-famous New Year’s Eve Firework display. As Big Ben’s bell rings at midnight, enjoy the UK’s largest firework show under the London Eye. Visitors can view the dazzling display up close on the streets of London, on a boozy river cruise down the Thames. End the year with dinner and a view at one of London’s finest rooftops such as Willows on the Roof, situated above the John Lewis department store on Oxford Street. The festivities continue with London’s Annual New Year’s Day Parade. The parade, which has become one of London’s greatest traditions, features performances from marching bands, cheerleaders, acrobats and more.

Edinburgh, Scotland: Ring in the new year the Scottish way with Edinburgh’s infamous three-day Hogmanay Celebration. Hogmanay, the Scottish version of New Year’s Eve, is one of Scotland’s most important holidays, and is know to be one of the largest New Years celebrations in the world. The festivities kick off with a night of dancing and DJs on December 30th with The Night Afore Disco Party at West Prince Street Gardens. The celebration continues on New Year’s Eve with Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party – a city-wide celebration that fills the streets for a night full of music, food and drink, fireworks and a midnight rendition of Auld Lang Syne. Round out the perfect Scottish New Years with the Loony Dook, a parade where participants are encouraged to dress in costume, ending with a plunge into the freezing waters of River Forth, if you dare.

Cardiff, Wales: Enjoy a uniquely Welsh New Year’s Eve at Cardiff’s annual Winter Wonderland. Held on the beautiful grounds of Cardiff Castle, the winter wonderland will be open on New Year’s Eve from 11:00 AM to 12:30 AM, the perfect way to celebrate the new year with the whole family. The festival has exciting activities for all ages including ice skating, a ferris wheel with the best views of the city, live entertainment from local performers, a picture-perfect ice bar and so much more. The festival also features unique and traditional Welsh Food offerings from hearty Yorkshire pudding wraps, toasted marshmallows and beyond.

Photo Credits

Cardiff Winter Wonderland: VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

London New Year’s Eve Fireworks: VisitBritain/Tareq Mooradun

Edinburgh Hogmanay Fireworks: Keith Valentine