Salute to the Lionesses sees London kick off 2026 in style: Capital’s patriotic New Year fireworks captivate millions with tributes to sporting greats taking centre stage – and Land of Hope And Glory even gets a look in

The UK has ushered in the New Year with a spectacular display of more than 12,000 fireworks as the capital city celebrated Britain’s best with nods to sporting greats, including the Lionesses.

An estimated 100,000 partygoers from across the country – and further afield – flocked to London as they eagerly anticipated the famed fireworks display on the Thames. 

And as Big Ben’s famous gongs welcomed in 2026, a sea of colourful fireworks erupted into the sky, with an ode to the country’s best sportsmen and women taking centre stage. 

In the 12-minute display, an array of pyrotechnics filled the night sky as an ode was given to the country’s many sporting triumphs over the last twelve months, including the Women’s Rugby World Cup and the Lionesses’ historic back-to-back Euros win. 

As previously hinted by London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, the show also paid tribute to the capital’s diversity as a narrator declared that England was ‘Caribbean barbers with the sharpest trim’ and ‘Christian neighbours saying Happy Hannukah mate’.

Before briefly blaring God Save the King, the voice added: ‘This is what England means to me. It’s about loving each other, no matter who you are or where you are from or who your God is, because this is England. This is the United Kingdom.’

And as the city’s skyline was showered in various shades of purple, the patriotic English tune composed by Edward Elgar, ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, made a brief appearance.

The largest display in Europe captivated millions across the nation, while also recognising Britain’s many musical talents such as Raye, Ed Sheeran, Wicked actress, Cynthia Erivo and even a reference to Jess Glynne‘s viral Jet 2 Holiday advert.

And after a sea of fireworks erupted as Coldplay’s ‘In A Sky Full of Stars’ played, the crowds closed out the extravaganza with Scottish tune, Auld Lang Syne, traditionally sung to bid farewell to a year passed.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer promised Brits that ‘renewal will become a reality’ in the year ahead in a message to the nation via X, as he wished the nation a Happy New Year. 

The Houses of Parliament have been showered in blue, white and red lights in an ode to the Union Jack as the London Eye – set to take centre stage for the celebrations – glows blue. 

However, the run-up to the biggest party of the year has not been all smiles and cheers as Londoners have been left furious over park closures across the capital in a bid to ward off partygoers. 

And while Brits are gleefully making their way to London, Cardiff, as well as hordes of revellers heading to the world-famous Hogmanay streets party in, a bitter cold snap is on the horizon. 

Primrose Hill, one of the most popular locations to view the fireworks, has been closed to the public due to ‘public safety.’ Meanwhile, Hyde Park and Greenwich Park are also closed.

The Metropolitan Police issued a dispersal order across vast swathes of central London after barriers were erected and park gates locked in a bid to stop crowds of revellers gathering on New Year’s Eve 

Meanwhile, partygoers across the globe in Australia, Japan, Beijing, Singapore, Thailand and Manila have welcomed in the New Year with a spectacular array of colourful displays lighting up the night sky.

And while Brits were gleefully making their way to London, Cardiff, as well as hordes of revellers heading to the world-famous Hogmanay streets party in Edinburgh, a bitter cold snap is on the horizon.  

The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice issued across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, which are set to take grip of the country from midnight until 12pm on January 2. 

Parts of northern Scotland are set to be battered by heavy snow as the clock strikes midnight, leaving some rural communities isolated and sparking travel delays for drivers, buses and trains. 

The forecaster has also warned of power cuts as well as impacted mobile phone reception and impassable cycle paths and pavements, with as much as 30cm of snow expected in some areas.

And the frosty temperatures are only set to blow further into the UK, with Northern Ireland, London and its surrounding areas, parts of the Midlands and Wales also being issued with a yellow weather warning on January 2. 

It comes after a rare cold-health alert was issued for the whole of England, amid warnings that some are likely to die as a result of the Arctic freeze sweeping in with the New Year.

The bitter snap, predicted to last a week, has already seen temperatures plummet to almost -10C, and snow and ice have been forecast for many parts of the UK, including London. 

Amber cold-health alerts are in place for every region of England from 8pm this evening until the morning of January 6.

According to the government, this warning level means that the weather is likely to have ‘significant impacts’ on the public’s health and lead to excess deaths amongst people over 65, and possibly younger age groups too.

People have been told they may struggle to keep their houses heated above 18 degrees, and that the mercury may also drop inside vital facilities such as hospitals and care homes.

Elsewhere in Bristol, Leeds and Newcastle, partygoers brave the cold wearing short skirts as they prepare for the highs and lows of the night ahead. 

And while many were in good spirits others were not, with one man pictured being apprehended by police in Birmingham and another person being wheeled away on a stretcher.  

Ahead of the New Year, Sir Keir Starmer promised Brits that ‘renewal will become a reality’ in the year ahead in a message to the nation via X. 

‘In 2026, the choices we’ve made will mean more people will begin to feel positive change,’ he said. 

‘The promise of renewal will become a reality, and Britain will turn the corner. From my family to yours: Happy New Year. 

In London, Mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a reminder that ‘tonight is the night’, advising those without a ticket to watch the display on television ‘from the comfort’ of their home.

It comes the Metropolitan Police declared a large area across the capital city had been placed under a dispersal order as officers prepare to tackle anti-social behaviour while ushering in 2026.

‘It gives officers the power to order people to leave the area. Those who refuse to do so are liable to arrest,’ it said, while reasserting London’s spectacular fireworks display was ‘fully sold out’.

‘Please be aware of scammers trying to sell fraudulent tickets. We’ve just arrested three people doing so near Trafalgar Square,’ the spokesperson added.

National Rail has announced that several rail firms will be running extra services after the clock strikes twelve and events in England’s capital city and boozy Brits make their way home.  

Meanwhile, photos from this afternoon show a bustling London Bridge already packed with city-dwellers donning cosy woolly hats and scarves as they gear up to ring in the New Year.  

Signs have also been spotted around London’s stations, directing attendees to where they can watch the event, with one large poster informing passers-by: ‘NYE event tickers sold out’.

‘The doors are about to open. It’s going to be a great night. We start working on these fireworks in July,’ Mr Khan said.

‘We’ve got more than 12,000 fireworks. We have lights, and we’re going to have illuminations.’ 

The Labour mayor went on to claim the display was going to be ‘the best fireworks in the world’ as he boasted Londoners should expect the display to reflect on ‘our successes’. 

And he hinted at a voiceover from a London movie story as well as ‘somebody looking for a husband’.

‘It’s a great chance to showcase our city to the world. So there is a serious point as well to a great night of fun,’ the London Mayor hinted.

‘Unfortunately we know there are bad people who want to cause us harm’, going on to claim the city is a target ‘because of [its] diversity’.

Speaking on security measures, he urged organisers to remain vigilant but insisted everyone should enjoy the night and the celebrations. 

It comes as barriers have been erected and gates have been locked in parks across London ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations in a bid to prevent a huge crowd of revellers.

Among the famous parks in the capital city that have been blocked off to the public by ‘grotesque’ barriers tonight is Primrose Hill in Camden.

A popular viewing spot for the fireworks with its panoramic views of London, there were an estimated 30,000 people celebrating at the park last year.

But tonight, the area has been turned into a no-go zone for ‘public safety’, with the gates set to be locked until 6am after parks police were axed in a bid to reduce costs.

Areas of the royal park have been cordoned off with solid green hoarding, while other parts have just the temporary fencing to prevent would-be spectators from entering.

Meanwhile, Greenwich Park will also be closed to the public, and Hyde Park is set to shutter at midnight to ward off partygoers.

Alexander Palace will also be shut as people were urged by the City of London Corporation not to congregate at Hampstead Heath to avoid impacting the wildlife.

Elsewhere, locals of the famed Primrose Hill voiced their fury at the Royal Park’s decision, branding it an ‘overreaction’.

Amy McKeown, a resident who is part of the Primrose Hill Keepers volunteer group, revealed she had already left the area to celebrate New Year’s Eve with family elsewhere.

‘It is too grotesque to see,’ she said. ‘The park has never been closed like this. This is completely unprecedented.

‘This is a public park where people should be able to come to watch the fireworks. This is exactly what we should be encouraging people to do.’

Catherin Usiskin, who has lived in the are for more than four decades, described the move as ‘an overreaction.

‘It’s just ridiculous,’ she said. It’s such an over-reaction. You can’t close down society.’

She revealed Primrose Hill, part of which is in Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer‘s constituency, has become a lot more crowded since she began living there.

‘I understand it’s more difficult to police,’ she said. ‘But since the pandemic there has been hysteria over Primrose Hill.’

She said the closure will be harmful to restaurants and pubs in the area, but believes people will still try to gather in the park by climbing over the fencing.

Ms McKeown said the boarding is similar to barriers those used at one of Britain’s biggest festivals, Glastonbury.

The Royal Parks charity manages eight parks across London, which include Hyde Park, Greenwich Park, The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill.

Recently, the organisation announced it would close Primrose Hill to the public for the fireworks event due to ‘limited controls’ in their ability to ‘ensure public safety’.

The closure of the park comes after the Metropolitan Police disbanded the Royal Parks Operational Unit in November in an bid to help plug a £260million funding gap.

Meanwhile, there have been growing concerns about the safety at the park following the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Harry Pitman on New Year’s Eve 2023.

The schoolboy was in Primrose Hill to watch the fireworks display when Areece Lloyd-Hall, 18, stabbed him in the neck. He was jailed for a minimum of 16 years in November.

The Met Police has claimed it is ‘not accurate to suggest’ the decision to shut Primrose Hill was necessary because the Royal Parks policing team was disbanded.

‘The 2024 was successfully policed and went by without incident,’ she added. ‘We have gone from an open event to a huge amount of resources being used to keep people out of the park.’

Meanwhile, Hogmanay’s organisers have been able to save on fireworks for tonight’s six-minute show in the Scottish capital, which is set to run with a bespoke soundtrack. 

Last year the historic event was cancelled for the third time since 2003 due to bad weather, meaning around 45,000 partygoers had to seek alternative arrangements. 

The final ScotRail train on New Year’s Eve will leave earlier than usual this year, with no services on January 1, the rail firm said. 

Stonhaven’s Hogmanay fireballs event is also set to go ahead, with around 10,000 expected to be in attendance. 

Eastern parts of the globe have already welcomed the New Year, with Japan and South Korea ushering in 2026 with bell-ringing ceremonies in their respective capital cities. 

Meanwhile, down under in Australia, Sydney welcomed 2026 with a stunning fireworks display. 

More than 45 European countries have also ushered in the New Year, with fireworks merging from historic buildings across the continent, including the Bradenburg Gate in Berlin and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Images have also emerged showing armed officers patrolling Russia’s capital city Moscow, where a fireworks display near the Red Square was cancelled. 

The area has been shut to the public until 8am on January 1, however, locals were pictured embracing each other near St Basil’s Cathedral.