Watch the Parade Sweep Down Regent Street
Stand at the barrier on Regent Street before one o'clock and you will hear the bands before you see them. London's New Year's Day Parade has run since 1987, and the previous year marked its 40th anniversary; the 2027 edition is the highlight of the city's New Year's Day celebrations. Around 8,000 participants — dancers, cheerleaders, musicians and entertainers — cover a route of roughly 2.2 miles (3.5km). It starts outside The Ritz near Piccadilly Circus, heads south down Regent Street and St James's, turns left through Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall, and finishes at Westminster. The parade usually steps off around 1pm and ends near Westminster Tube station at about 4.30pm, roughly three hours later. It is free to attend, with merchandise sold at selected points, and it raises money for London charities each year. The previous year drew over 500,000 spectators along the route, so arrive early for a spot at the barrier.
Catch a New Year's Day Concert
The London Parade Concert series brings choirs, bands and orchestras to venues across the capital, and the Barbican Centre holds an annual New Year's Day Proms with a classical repertoire — Tchaikovsky and Strauss among the composers. Concerts are also held in London cathedrals and churches, so you can pair a service or a recital with the rest of the day's programme.
Spend the Afternoon at Rinks, Markets and Museums
New Year's Day is the last chance for some of the season's fixtures and the first chance for others. Ice rinks are open, including Hampton Court Palace and Westfield, and Christmas markets remain open into the new year. It is also the final days of Christmas at Kew and Winter Wonderland. Museums and attractions are usually open, among them the London Transport Museum, Tate Modern, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, SEA Life London Aquarium and the London Dungeon. The January sales are on at department stores, West End shows are playing, and winter light festivals, club nights, pubs and rooftop bars fill the evening.
Know What's Running, and Plan a Day Trip
Most shops, museums, galleries, attractions, theatres, restaurants, pubs and bars stay open, often on reduced bank holiday hours — check individual venues before you go. Public transport is limited or reduced on New Year's Day, so check the Transport for London Journey Planner before setting out. If you want to leave the city, day trips are available, including Stonehenge and Stonehenge and Bath, and organised tours run from the centre.
Plan Around the First
Book major attractions, shows and tours in advance, since New Year's Day is busy and hours can be shortened. Note that 2027 event details are subject to confirmation nearer the time. Start checking timetables and venue hours now, and you will step into the new year with the parade route, a concert seat and a plan for the afternoon already settled.