New Year’s Eve celebrations are back with a bang! Hundreds of thousands are expected to watch the fireworks

Hundreds of thousands of revelers will attend major New Year’s Eve events across the country tonight as many return from Covid restrictions for the first time in three years.

Hordes of people will flock to central London to see the capital’s fireworks display, with designated viewing areas along Victoria Embankment, Waterloo Bridge, Parliament Square and elsewhere.

Mayor Sadiq Khan will present the event, which is the biggest fireworks display in the UK, from 8pm before Big Ben rings in the New Year with its iconic bongs at midnight.

The exhibition is chargeable and has long been sold out. Pedestrian zones will be restricted alongside road closures from noon today. If you use public transport, we also recommend that you find out about the route before you start your journey.

Hundreds of thousands of revelers will attend major New Year’s Eve events across the country tonight (pictured: London’s NYE ​​fireworks last year)

Elsewhere, thousands of people will also take part in Edinburgh’s traditional Hogmanay celebrations (pictured) when they return for the first time in three years

Mr Khan tweeted yesterday: “Can’t wait to see our iconic NYE fireworks tomorrow!

“Although tickets are sold out, you can still catch the show live on BBC One tomorrow night.”

The display will be shown on BBC One during the broadcast of a special NYE concert featuring British Eurovision star Sam Ryder.

Elsewhere, thousands of people will also take part in Edinburgh’s traditional Hogmanay celebrations as they return for the first time in three years.

The event has been canceled for the past two years due to Covid-19 restrictions.

All events held to mark the traditional Hogmanay celebrations in the Scottish capital have sold out, organizers have confirmed.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted last night: “Can’t wait to see our iconic NYE fireworks tomorrow!”

A big party and celebration at the London Eye on December 31st 2021

Edinburgh Hogmanay missed three years due to Covid restrictions but will return tonight

All events held to mark the traditional Hogmanay celebrations in the Scottish capital have sold out, organizers have confirmed (Image: Hogmanay 2017)

On January 1st, 2018, partygoers ring in the New Year at Hogmanay in Edinburgh

Al Thompson, director of organizers Unique Assembly, said the worst of the expected inclement weather should have passed, but he urged Edinburgh partygoers to wrap up warm for the celebrations (Image: Hogmanay 2017)

The celebrations kicked off on Friday night with the previous night’s party led by pop superstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor with special guests from Altered Images.

The Pet Shop Boys will headline the concert in the gardens of Princes Street Gardens, while those attending the annual street party will be treated to DJ sets.

The fireworks will go off every hour between 9pm and 11pm, counting down to the traditional midnight display.

Edinburgh City Council Chair Cammy Day said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is the ideal place to mark the 75th anniversary of Edinburgh as a festival city and head into 2023 with an outstanding musical line-up with a unique talent pool of Scottish acts and the world begin – Renowned artists.

“We are very proud that so many people are spending their New Year with us and enjoying everything our city has to offer.

“Celebrations include a festival of ceilidhs, family-friendly events in sprogmanay and a candlelight concert at St Giles’ Cathedral.

“Whether you’re joining the magic of the nightly disco party, spending your midnight moment at the world famous street party, getting a ticket to the concert in the gardens with the Pet Shop Boys, or starting the year with Scottish scores, have musical talent in the final push or in the first step – I hope you enjoy being a part of it.”

LED drummers parade through the streets of Edinburgh during the Hogmanay celebrations in 2017

When the clock strikes midnight and the year 2023 begins, the Met Office is forecasting temperatures of 1°C in Edinburgh falling to 0°C by 3am

Lothian Buses have introduced a special Hogmanay fare to get people home safely and Edinburgh’s trams run until 5am

Al Thompson, director of organizer Unique Assembly, said the worst of the bad weather expected should have passed, but he urged partygoers to wrap up warm for the celebrations.

He said: “It’s winter outside in Scotland but I’m delighted that we are reaching the end of unsettled weather this week giving us a clear run from Saturday until New Year’s Day.

“It’s going to be cold but dry and that’s the main thing.

“We’re just telling people to wrap up warm and dress for the weather before coming out because most of the events are outdoors.”

When the clock strikes midnight and the year 2023 begins, the Met Office is forecasting temperatures of 1°C falling to 0°C by 3am.

Lothian Buses have introduced a special Hogmanay fare to get people home safely and Edinburgh’s trams run until 5am.

In Manchester there will be an official countdown party in Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre, however there will be no fireworks for ‘budget reasons’.

Council chiefs said there will be a large screen counting down to midnight, alongside two separate areas consisting of a bar area for purchasing drinks and a family-friendly non-alcoholic viewing deck.

In Cardiff, families can ring in the New Year at the Welsh capital’s Winter Wonderland, which stays open until 12.30am.