Top 20 Christmas Party Ideas in South Bank
From competitive socialising to private snow globes, South Bank is brimming with more bars, restaurants, and Christmas party venues...
Grab front-row seats to watch one of the world's most incredible pyrotechnic displays!
The capital’s biggest night of the year will once again see tens of thousands of ticket-holders gather by the river to watch the Mayor of London's incredible fireworks display in front of South Bank’s lastminute.com London Eye.
The first tickets for The Mayor of London’s spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display go on sale at midday on Friday 18 October, with a second batch of tickets going on sale in early December.
To ensure the event is safe and fun for all, since 2014 London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks show has been hosted as a ticketed event. Every penny from ticket sales is used to pay for the additional costs of delivering an event of this scale. If you want to watch the fireworks from the dedicated central London viewing areas, you must have secured a ticket in advance.
Where and when can I buy a ticket to watch the fireworks?
Tickets can only be purchased from this year’s official ticket sale outlet Ticketmaster.
The first batch of tickets go on sale on Friday 18 October at midday. Keep your eye on the Mayor of London's New Year's Eve page for the latest updates.
What are the different viewing areas?
There are six different ticketed viewing areas – Blue, Red, Pink, Green and White, plus an Orange accessible viewing area. These colours will be indicated on your ticket. Your ticket will grant you access to your particular coloured area only. If you do not have a ticket you will not be allowed to access these areas.
All viewing areas have a specific numbered gate you should use on the night to enter the viewing area you have booked. If you’re coming with friends make sure you book tickets for the same viewing area. You won’t be able to move between areas on the night.
Note that ticketed viewing areas within the South Bank area (and on the bridges crossing the river), can only be accessed from the south side of the river. Stations will be very busy so choose the side of the river you want to be on afterwards to get home more easily.
You can enter into the ticketed viewing areas from 8pm to 10:30pm.
What are the viewing areas within South Bank?
Orange - Albert Embankment. This is the area for accessible viewing tickets with a side view of the lastminute.com London Eye.
White – Westminster Bridge This is a partial side view close to the lastminute.com London Eye. There will be no access from Westminster Tube station to the bridge, ticket holders for this area must embark at Waterloo Station.
Green – Belvedere Road This area covers the street behind the lastminute.com London Eye. This is an up-close view directly behind the lastminute.com London Eye.
Pink – Waterloo Bridge Pink viewing area tickets provide access to Waterloo Bridge only. Ticket holders will be directed to arrive in South Bank via the Southwark station.
The viewing areas on the North Bank of the river are coloured Blue and Red and can only be accessed from the north side of the river.
How much do tickets cost?
This year there's a range of different ticket prices depending on which viewing area you would like to be in. Londoners are entitled to discounted ticket prices.
Blue, Pink, White areas (Victoria Embankment next to Parliament, Waterloo Bridge & Westminster Bridge): £50 for non-Londoners, £35 for Londoners
Red, Green, Orange areas (Victoria Embankment next to Somerset House, Belvedere Road, & Albert Embankment): £35 for non-Londoners, £20 for Londoners
If you're booking a Londoner's discounted ticket, you'll need to verify your London postcode at the payment checkout when booking. This will be based on the billing address for the card used to make the booking.
How do I access the South Bank on New Year’s Eve?
Note that from the late afternoon on New Year’s Eve, much of the South Bank is closed to vehicles and from the early evening access is restricted to ticket holders only. If you don’t have a ticket to view the fireworks, you will not be allowed through the temporary barriers!
If you do have a ticket, make sure to follow carefully the instructions and correspondence received with your tickets about how to access the fireworks viewing areas in South Bank.
You will need to show your tickets at the entrance gates to access the viewing areas and the main ticket buyer may also be asked to show photo ID at the entry gate to get in.
See the official Mayor of London New Year's Eve page here for full details on ticketing and access to the fireworks viewing areas.
London New Year's Eve fireworks.
All the viewing tickets are sold out, is there another way I can watch the fireworks in South Bank?
If you would like to join in the atmosphere on the South Bank but couldn’t get your hands on a viewing ticket, several South Bank restaurants are hosting special New Year’s Eve parties. Note that you must book for these parties well in advance and most venues also expect you to pay a deposit to secure your booking.
Pay close attention to the instructions supplied by the venue about how to access their space on New Year's Eve. Plan your travel carefully in advance as access to South Bank is strictly controlled on New Year’s Eve and public transport will be particularly busy on this night. Note that you should plan to enter and exit South Bank on the night via the south side of the river as Westminster and Waterloo Bridges are for viewing ticket holders only while the Golden Jubilee pedestrian bridges are closed.
If the venue is within one of the coloured viewing zones the venue will provide you with the relevant tickets / passes to access the area. As with all viewing tickets you must only access the coloured area that you have been designated via the indicated entrance gate. Make sure to pay very close attention to the instructions provided to you by the venue to ensure you can access the venue in time for your booking.
South Bank restaurants hosting New Year's Eve parties
12th Knot
Every year the chic Sea Containers London hotel hosts a glittering New Year’s Eve party at its rooftop cocktail bar 12th Knot. This year’s party sees DJs Jamz Supernova and Shy One spinning high-energy house, disco, and funky grooves to keep you moving all night long! Note that Sea Containers is not within the fireworks viewing areas. Tickets start from £90, £225 with an open bar.
Ping Pong
Ping Pong’s New Year’s Eve party is a colourful affair kicking off from 9pm until 2am with feasting, DJs and dancing. There are a variety of ticket options available, all of which include the festive Shanghai Feast dim sum platter and glasses of bubbly on arrival and at midnight. Upgrade to the silver and gold tickets for cocktails, late-night canapes, and access to the VIP lounge. Tickets from £170.
Skylon
The contemporary restaurant Skylon at Royal Festival Hall celebrates New Year's Eve with lots of bubbly and a decadent menu that includes luxurious dishes BBQ lobster and duck breast with winter black truffle potato terrine. Tickets cost £375.
Marriot London County Hall Hotel
You will be hard-pressed to find a better view of the fireworks than from the Marriott County Hall Hotel’s Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar! One of the most glamorous parties around this is a black tie affair starting with Champagne and canapes at 7pm, followed by a multi-course wine-paired dinner and then live music and dancing until 2am. Tickets cost £495.
The OXO New Year’s Eve 2024
For this year's epic rooftop party on the OXO Tower rooftop there's a full entertainment lineup with live music and DJs in the restaurant and brasserie until 2am, and the whole venue will be given a spectacular festive makeover for the occasion. Guests can choose from a three-course dinner in the Brasserie or the more formal Restaurant with wine pairing options and of course welcome Champagne and a glass of bubbly to toast the strike of midnight. Note that the OXO Tower is not within the fireworks viewing area. Tickets £250-£350.
