The Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks return to central London this year, with a ticketed event taking place on Wednesday 31 December 2025. As always, large crowds, road closures and pedestrian restrictions will be in place to keep everyone safe. Below is a summary of how these plans may affect people living and working in the Waterloo area from Saturday 27 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026. Link to full document here.

Stay Informed

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As a late-night, high-footfall event, streets and venues around the event footprint will be extremely busy. Residents and businesses are advised to plan ahead.

Pedestrian Restrictions – 31 December 2025 to 1 January 2026

From 2pm on Wednesday 31 December, pedestrian restrictions will come into effect across the event footprint, which includes key areas around the river. These measures are in place to support the safe delivery of the event.

If your home or business is inside the restricted zone, you can register for updates at:
www.london.gov.uk/nye/b&r

Registered residents and businesses may be able to request access wristbands to help reach their property during the restricted period. Proof of address, business ID, or guest invitations may also be required at access points.

Please note: Access wristbands

• Do not act as tickets to the event
• Do not provide vehicle access
• Do not allow crossing of closed bridges

They are for access to your own property only.

If You Are Outside the Restricted Area

Access to your home or workplace will not be limited, but usual walking routes and public transport may be busier or altered. Vehicle access in the wider area will be affected from 2pm on 31 December due to road closures. Properties outside the event footprint will not require access wristbands, though nearby roads, bridges and public transport may still be affected.

Road Closures & Vehicle Restrictions

Build and Removal Work: 27 December 2025 – 4 January 2026

Several overnight road closures will occur in the lead-up to the event, including:

• Horse Guards Avenue (27 Dec – 4 Jan)
• Ludgate Circus / Queen Victoria Street / New Bridge Street / Blackfriars Bridge (28 Dec & 2 Jan, evenings)
• Northumberland Avenue (29 Dec – 1 Jan)
• Surrey Street, Waterloo Bridge, Waterloo Road (29–30 Dec & 1–2 Jan, overnight)
• Stamford Street, York Road, Chicheley Street, Westminster Bridge (30–31 Dec, overnight)
• Victoria Street, Abingdon Street & surrounding roads (1 Jan)

31 December Road Closures

From 2pm on New Year’s Eve, extensive road closures will roll out across central London. Many will reopen by 6am on 1 January, though some will remain closed until 8pm due to the London Parade 2026.

Deliveries, waste collections and commercial services will be affected. Businesses and residents are advised to rearrange deliveries and store waste on-site until normal services resume.

Bridge Closures – 31 December

From 2pm, pedestrian access will be restricted on:

• Westminster Bridge
• Waterloo Bridge
• Golden Jubilee Footbridges
• Lambeth Bridge
• Blackfriars Bridge
• Millennium Bridge

Additional closures may occur at short notice.

Advice for Residents & Businesses

• Beware of ticket touts, who may ask for or attempt to buy access wristbands. These wristbands are not event tickets and should never be handed over.
• Businesses hosting NYE bookings should request proper ID and full payment in advance.
• Residents and businesses may be subject to bag searches entering restricted zones.
• Report anything suspicious to stewards or police.