2019 New Year’s Eve in London

London, the city of Big Ben, the London Eye, and Trafalgar Square is one of the most iconic cities in the world. In being so, London offers fantastic ways to ring in this upcoming New Year. Every year, the city organizes a firework display and this year’s display will be set over the London Eye.

Before planning the night, some important tips to consider are that tickets for places usually sell out way before the date. To see the fireworks, tickets will be sold at £10 per person. For other venues and events, be sure to book tickets if it interests you, do not wait. When it comes to transportation, from 11:45 PM to 4:30 AM, public transportation is free, but keep in mind that it can get very crowded as many attendants want to take advantage of the free service. Some central London stations will also be closed for crowd control. If you are traveling by taxi, you can book them ahead of time as it can be difficult to get a taxi on New Year’s Eve. Now see how London celebrates the special day.

Dinner Shows

As the New Year is right around the corner, enjoying a great meal is a sure way to cap off the year. The River Thames has been part of London’s history since the beginning which makes it a fantastic place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Yes, that’s right, celebrating on the river. Many different boat companies will be hosting a scenic ride down the River Thames with dinner and music by a live DJ. Along the ride, you will be able to see iconic sites like Big Ben and the fireworks by the London Eye.

If boats are not your thing, then maybe a grand dinner party at The Savoy is for you. Located right on the Thames, The Savoy offers dinner and view of the grand fireworks. Tickets for this party will run to over £300 per person. A more affordable dinner option is The Rubens at the Palace. Starting from £110 for two guests, this option includes a bottle of Lanson champagne, dinner and live music. Although there is no view of the fireworks, live streaming will be available on the televisions.

Right by the River Thames is this trendy 1 bedroom furnished vacation rental in Pimlico. This stylish apartment is great for those wanting to go on the dinner cruises and staying conveniently close to the river. You can easily return to this accommodation and recoup in the king sized bed with great views from the windows. It is also close to attractions like Bessborough Gardens and the Tate Britain art gallery.

Concerts and Shows

Looking to see the arts instead? The Barbican Hall is hosting a Viennese New Year’s Eve Gala with music from the Strauss family and friends. Part of the program includes Tales from the Vienna Woods, Rose from the South Waltz, and Voices of Spring. The performance is set to end at 9:45 PM allowing you to continue the celebrations throughout the night. Similarly, the Royal Albert Hall is hosting a performance of The Nutcracker. On New Year’s Eve, they have two performances, one at 12 PM and one at 4 PM. For a more comedic show, Leicester Square is hosting a Comedy Carnival. Multiple comedians including Live at the Apollo star Tom Stade will be performing stand-up comedy.

Clubs and Parties

With the booming culture in London, many establishments are hosting themed parties for the night. These parties are only once a year so venues are adorned to their maximum potential.

At the Natural History Museum, the party “Creatures of the Night” takes over the facility for the night. Special exhibits, live DJ, and musical bingo are just some of the features of this party. If you liked the movie “Night at the Museum,” this is a sure way ticket for that experience. Be sure to dress to impress as this is a more formal party.

For a New York themed party, head to Evolution London. This party is designed to make you feel like you are in a different city while still in London. With decorations such as New York street lights and a yellow taxi cab, it’ll feel like a scene right out of Seinfeld. Tickets include dinner, unlimited drinks all night, live DJ and many more. There is even a free shuttle bus to the nearest tube station, London Victoria.

This highly rated 2 bedroom apartment in South Kensington is located right by great attractions like the Natural History Museum and Hyde Park. With a well-landscaped garden square just outside the windows, this bright and modern apartment feels comfortable and homey. This apartment is also within walking distance to the Portobello Road Market. This market is open every day except Sunday; the best time to visit is on Saturday when things are in full swing. This is a great place to pick up grocery items to make a New Year’s Day meal with or some souvenirs to bring home.

Being outdoors in London during New Year’s Eve, you will feel a certain excitement in the air. At Skylight, a rooftop bar at Tobacco Dock, a celebration will be held with heated facilities while still being outdoors. Their party features special guest DJs and party favors all night long. On a first come, first served basis, the rooftop ice skating rink will be open. You can also be seated in one of the many igloos they have to shield yourself from the cold. These igloos can seat up to ten people. A more adventurous way to celebrate would be the New Year’s Eve Pub Crawl that starts at Zoo Bar. The crawl consists of 5 stops and each stop includes free drinks.

For the Family

New Year’s celebrations aren’t just parties and nightclubs. Wintertime in London offers many options for a great evening with your family.

At Hyde Park, the largest Royal Park in London, many come to gather at the annual Winter Wonderland. This big event is something you would not want to miss. The festivities are well thought out so there is something for everyone. Some attractions we recommend are ice skating on the largest open-air ice rink, riding the brand new 70 metre observation wheel, and taking a class at the ice sculpting workshops. There are also multiple shows being held such as Paddington on Ice, Cirque Berserk, and Magical Ice Kingdom: A Christmas Carol. For the adults, Bar Hütte is the place to go for an après-ski experience. For drinks, Bar Ice is open for cocktails. This pop-art themed bar is entirely crafted from ice. Though the bar is kept at -10 degrees Celsius, a winter cloak and gloves are provided with the ticket!

If you want to stay close to Hyde Park, this 2 bedroom Paddington luxury vacation rental is only a short walk away. The apartment is surrounded by museums, shops, and restaurants which are great for a family on vacation. Amenities at this furnished apartment include laundry inside the apartment and luxury furniture for an experience like no other.

If your kids are more interested in shows, check out the Dominion Theatre for a performance of White Christmas. The musical is based on the 1954 film and is a “timeless romantic comedy to warm hearts of all ages,” according to the website. A musical suited for younger children would be The Snowman. According to the website, “The Snowman never ceases to amaze London audiences with its spectacular blend of great storytelling, live music, dance, spectacle, and of course spellbinding magic.”

Wintertime in London is a special place to be and New Year’s Eve is even more special. If you’re staying longer than just New Year’s Eve, there are plenty more festivities in London to enjoy. Planning a magical evening could be stressful so send us a rental request  or browse our London vacation rentals by neighborhood and let one of our experienced agents help find you the perfect apartment for a spectacular New Year’s celebration in London.