Laura Reynolds

Things To Do In London On New Year's Eve

Below are the details for 2019. We'll update this page with information for 31 December 2020 when it's announced, so keep checking back.

Spend New Year's Eve at Southbank Centre

Whether you want to start 2020 with a massive party, or would like to spend the last day of 2019 in an altogether more chilled manner, there are plenty of ways to celebrate New Year's Eve and see in 2020 in London.

Browse the best events taking place in the capital on 31 December, and get those New Year's Eve plans wrapped up.

London New Year's Eve fireworks

Image: Shutterstock

The world-famous New Year's Eve firework display is now a ticketed event, for reasons of safety and security. The final batch of tickets goes on sale Thursday 28 November 2019, priced at a tenner each. In total, 100,000 tickets are available, giving access to the riverside to watch the fireworks.

Of course, there's nothing to stop you putting your eyes to the skies from anywhere else in the capital and copping a look for free. Or sitting in the comfort and warmth of your own home and watching it on TV.

New Year's Eve parties and clubbing in London

Dance the night away at a Viennese ball

DUCK & WAFFLE: See in 2020 with spectacular views over London at Duck & Waffle. It's a 24-hour restaurant and bar anyway, so keeping up the pace shouldn't be a problem for this 24-hour celebration. Choose from an early festive dinner, a later dinner, celebrations at the bar, a 'sunrise' after party or a New Year's Day brunch, to put you back together after the night before. Various prices, book ahead, 6pm-6pm

SUSHI SAMBA: Both the Covent Garden and Heron Tower Sushi Samba venues see in 2020 in style. The restaurants have been transformed into Sambazonia — a take on the Amazon rainforest — for the festive season, a theme which lends itself to tonight's shenanigans. DJs and live performances take place all evening, and various dining packages are available — you just need to pick between the central London location of Covent Garden, or the impressive views from the top of the Heron Tower. Various prices, book ahead, from 6pm

The Sambazonia at Sushi Samba

THE SAVOY: Luxury hotel The Savoy offers guests several ways to see in 2020, from rooms and suites with views over the fireworks on the river, to special meals at The Beaufort Bar, Kaspar's and The Savoy Grill. The main event though is er, The Main Event, the hotel's main NYE party, and in true Savoy-style it involves a champagne reception, six-course meal, and dancing in the Lancaster Ballroom until the wee hours. £450, book ahead.

SKYLIGHT AT TOBACCO DOCK: East London's rooftop ice rink/bar/party venue Skylight at Tobacco Dock hosts a shindig to see in 2020. The rooftop party takes place over three floors, with ice skating, street food, cocktails and DJs. You won't be able to see the London fireworks from the roof, but they're shown live on 12 screens within the venue. You can be as spendy as you like up here, with igloos and huts available for private hire for the night, provided you're willing to dig several hundred pounds deep in your pocket. Otherwise, general entry is from £40, book ahead, from 6pm

See in 2020 at Somerset House

CANDLELIGHT CLUB: Welcome in the 2020s by stepping back to the 1920s at Candlelight Club's Jazz Age New Year's Eve party. Expect cabaret from Champagne Charlie, live music from the Bubbly Boys, vintage DJing, Charleston dance routines from the Gatsby Girls and a glimpse into what 2020 has in store for you from fortune tellers Lucius and Foxglove. It takes place in a secret location, and 1920s outfits are very much encouraged. £60, book ahead, 7pm-2am

SOUTHBANK CENTRE: Southbank Centre hosts a New Year's Eve Spectacular, with five floors of themed club nights, ranging from the 1920s to the present day, interspersed with live orchestras, dance lessons, and outdoor terraces offering a midnight view of those world-famous London fireworks. There are two new themed rooms for this year, along with six bars, 15 DJs and a whole host of other entertainment. From £115, book ahead, from 7pm

GATSBY CABARET: London Cabaret Club in Bloomsbury Square holds a Gatsby-themed New Year's Eve party, celebrating 100 years of cabaret. Begin with a pre-show cocktail in the Rose Bar, followed by a one of a kind show inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, featuring all forms of cabaret, from its inception in the 1920s to the present day. Then head back to the Rose Bar for the after party. From £150, book ahead, from 7pm

VIENNESE BALL: Waltz your way into 2020 at Barbican's event dedicated to all things Viennese. The Johann Strauss Orchestra performs the music of the Strauss dynasty, making for a glamorous, romantic New Year's Eve. £19.50-£44.50, book ahead, from 7.30pm

Party under the whale at Natural History Museum

NEW YEAR'S EVE CEILIDH:For something a bit different, head to Cecil Sharp House in Camden for the annual New Year's Eve ceilidh. It doesn't matter whether you're an expert dancer or completely new at it, the steps are walked through and everyone is welcome. £35/£25, book ahead, 8pm

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT: Animals are the unsurprising theme of the Natural History Museum's New Year's Eve party. Dance the night away under Hope the blue whale — the largest creature ever to have lived — or head for the silent disco. Play musical bingo, enjoy live music, and explore the exhibitions, all before the midnight countdown.From £80, book ahead, 8pm-1am

Hip Hop Karaoke at Queen of Hoxton

SOMERSET HOUSE: The Skate at Somerset House ice rink stays open on New Year's Eve, with the House Gospel Choir, full band and live DJs providing the soundtrack to the final hours of 2019. Choose whether to skate, or simply watch, then head to the riverside terrace at midnight to see the fireworks. £50-£70, book ahead, 8pm-2am

RATED R: R'n'B and rap are the name of the game at The Book Club's Rated R New Year's Eve party. Party the year away to bangers from the nineties, noughties and now, with live DJs and a plethora of sing along sessions. From £5, book ahead, 8pm-3am

HIP HOP KARAOKE: Queen of Hoxton claims to be hosting London’s biggest hip-hop house party with hip hop brass band Dat Brass, a selection of DJs playing across three rooms, and Hip Hop Karaoke taking over the basement. Go classic with some Biggie, Missy or The Fugees or keep it right now with Drake, Kendrick or Kanye, all while living out your rap fantasies. From £10, book ahead, 8pm-4am

Things to do on New Year's Eve in London that aren't parties

You'll have to book early for New Year's Eve tickets to Christmas at Kew

ICE SKATING: Why not take a twirl on the ice at one of London's winter ice skating rinks? From Somerset House to the Natural History Museum, and Tower of London to Hampton Court Palace, there's an ice rink somewhere near you. Various prices, advance booking recommended.

WINTER WONDERLAND: It's the last week of this year's Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Get stuck into the markets, food and drink stalls, giant ferris wheel, ice rink, ice kingdom, circus shows and more. 10am-10pm (although it may close early today)

CHRISTMAS AT KEW:Why not spend the evening exploring the Christmas Trail at Kew? The gardens are illuminated with an impressive light display, including laser beams and a tunnel of lights, not to mention the impressive fire garden. There's a traditional funfair to keep the kids happy, and food and drink stalls dotted around. From £18, book ahead, 5pm-7.40pm

WHEN HARRY MET SALLY: Head to the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square for a screening of 1989 rom-com When Harry Met Sally. "I'll have what she's having." £13.50, book ahead,6.45pm

COMEDY CARNIVAL: Pick from venues in Leicester Square and Clapham for Comedy Carnival's New Year's Eve shows. At time of writing, the acts have yet to be announced, but choose between just a show ticket, or a show + club ticket, to continue partying long after the show's over. Various prices, book ahead, from 7pm