London Revelers Complain About New Year Fireworks After Being Packed Into Crowds and Charged High Ticket Prices Along the Thames

As London rang in 2026, tens of thousands gathered along the Thames to watch the city’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks.

But not everyone came away impressed. Content creator Alex Dodman shared his candid experience, highlighting crowded conditions, steep prices, and what he called an “awful view” that left the night feeling more stressful than celebratory.

Ticketed Access and Cramped Conditions

Dodman explained that attending the display isn’t as glamorous as it might seem.

A ticket for the so-called green zone behind the London Eye cost £45, and once inside, visitors were packed tightly together. “You’re penned in like sheep,” he said.

Arriving by 10:30pm meant waiting over an hour and a half in a massive crowd before the fireworks even began, which he warned could be a nightmare for anxious visitors.

The former perk of free travel on the Underground, available on 31 December until 2020, is long gone, and this has made attending the event more expensive and logistically tricky.

Dodman called the old free travel “a nice little gesture to Londoners” and suggested that the city’s celebrations have shifted more toward a ticketed, commercial experience.

High Prices and Limited Comforts

Dodman also criticized food options, noting £20 burgers and long queues at food trucks as the only small comforts while waiting.

“Big Cheese Burger with chips? £28.50,” he groaned, pointing out how costly even basic refreshments had become.

Public toilets were available, but Dodman said these were the only real relief points in the overcrowded zone.

Fireworks Meant for TV

When it came to the fireworks themselves, Dodman admitted they were “loud and bangy,” but said much of the spectacle was designed for television audiences rather than those on the ground.

Music was difficult to hear, and iconic segments like Paddington-themed visuals were largely lost to attendees.

“From down here, we got none of the good stuff,” he added.

Post-Fireworks Chaos

Dodman’s frustration didn’t end when the display finished.

The process of leaving the area, particularly navigating the jam-packed Tube stations, was the “worst bit,” he said.

Overall, he described the evening as “one of the s***est pointless nights I’ve ever had,” a sentiment echoed by followers who had attended previous years’ displays.

Controversial Movie Tie-In

This year’s fireworks included prominent projections and music from the new Wicked film, which some viewers felt turned the event into an advertisement.

Song selections like “Defying Gravity” and images of Elphaba and Glinda drew mixed reactions, with some attendees calling the inclusion of the film “weird” and questioning why they were being marketed to during a public celebration.

Celebrating Achievements and Highlights

Despite criticism, the display also showcased Britain’s successes in 2025, from England’s women’s rugby team and Lionesses victories to Ryder Cup wins.

Fireworks and lights highlighted the UK’s record-breaking summer heat and even nodded to the playful social media “tea-time alarm” meme.

Hologauze technology projected 3D-like images, creating a visually ambitious experience even if the crowd’s perspective fell short.

Diverse Soundtrack and Voices

The fireworks were accompanied by music from Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Raye, and Sabrina Carpenter, and included voiceovers from Celia Imrie, Alison Hammond, and Andrew Cotter.

The intention, according to the Mayor, was to create a celebration of “togetherness” while highlighting London’s cultural diversity and achievements.

Reactions and Reflections

While Mayor Sadiq Khan described the display as “the greatest in the world,” online reactions were mixed.

Many criticized the Wicked tie-in, while others noted the lack of homage to Ozzy Osbourne following his death in July 2025.

For Dodman and others in attendance, the event underscored a growing gap between the televised spectacle and the on-the-ground experience.

Looking Ahead

As London moves forward, the challenge for organisers will be balancing the glitzy, TV-friendly elements of the fireworks with the expectations and comfort of attendees on site.

For now, Dodman’s review serves as a blunt reminder that even the most celebrated city traditions aren’t always as magical in person as they appear on screen.

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