The fireworks may have fizzled out, but the party isn't over yet.
When 1 January rolls around, you could be in your bed nursing an almighty hangover OR you could show your mettle by continuing the celebrations at the London Parade, the New Year's Day event which takes place every year in central London.
Here are the details for New Year's Day 2026.
What is the London New Year's Day parade?
Every year on 1 January, while many Londoners sleep through the year's first (and worst) hangover, London's New Year's Day parade takes place in the centre of town. It began in 1987, and has happened every year since then (except January 2021, when it was cancelled due to Covid). Between half a million to a million people (depending which source you believe) line London's streets to watch.
When is the London New Year's Day parade?
The party in kicks off at 1pm on 1 January 2026 — an hour later than previous years — giving you even more time to go for that early morning jog that you're definitely going to do every day in the new year.
The procession continues until about 4.30pm.
Where is the London New Year's Day parade?
It begins at Piccadilly (right outside the Ritz, which is what you want when you're paying that much for a hotel room and sleeping off a hangover that big), heads east to Piccadilly Circus, skirts around Eros before flowing south down Regent Street St James's. Then it's left down Pall Mall, a quick march past Trafalgar Square, and along Whitehall to the finish point at Westminster. The whole thing takes three hours from the first float setting off to the last one finishing. Bring snacks.
You can view a full map of the London Parade route.
*TRIVIA CLAXON*: For the first 22 years of the parade's existence, the route was the reverse of this — it was flipped in 2009. The main reason for the change was to please US TV broadcasters, whose viewers get a better view of key London landmarks.
Who is involved in the London Parade on New Year's Day?
Performers, community groups and businesses are among those taking part in the procession. Among the participants in this year's parade are:
- Singer Heather Small and Eurovision contestant Sam Ryder
- George Michael, Elton John, Spice Girls and ABBA tribute acts
- Carnaval Del Pueblo — celebrating Latin American music, dance and culture
- Pearly kings and queens — showing off their iconic outfits
- Toy shop Hamleys — filling its double-decker bus with friendly characters
Plus representatives from some London boroughs, Aston Martin and Mini owners' clubs, and an absolute wealth of American high school bands and cheerleading squads who fly in for the occasion each year.
How can I watch the London New Year's Day parade?
Your best option is to grab a spot somewhere along the route. Stand on the pavements, or perhaps hole up at the window seat of a cafe or restaurant along the way. If you plump for the latter, check opening hours in advance, as it's a bank holiday — and be warned that the crowds get thick at points, and may block out your view.
If you're feeling flush, you can splash out on tickets for a seat in the grandstands on Piccadilly, priced at £75 each. Most have sold out now, though do check back for resales closer to the time. VIP tickets for the grandstands on Whitehall are still available for £185 a pop.
Other London New Year's Day parade info
- There are a few warm-up concerts taking place in the preceding days at Smith Square Hall and Holy Trinity Church Sloane Square, allowing the bands to fine tune their performances in time for the big event. A nice idea if you've had enough of Christmas telly and want to get out of the house between Christmas and New Year.
- If you're a total parade fanatic, you can even buy yourself some merchandise to remember the parade forever, including t-shirts, hats, and tote bags.
Find out more on the London Parade website. Not into the banging of drums and tooting of trumpets so early in the year? Check out other things to do in London on New Year's Day.
