London’s skyline sparkles with fireworks every New Year’s Eve, attracting thousands of spectators.

The official viewing areas for the yearly spectacle – which cost £20 per ticket for 2024 – are in high demand and get booked up well in advance.

However, you can still enjoy the dazzling display of pyrotechnics and drones for free, as they soar up to 200m high and can be seen from various places in the city.

Here are the details you need.

Both Millennium Bridge and Tower Bridge are off-limits this year, but you can still find many free places in London to watch the fireworks.

Southwark Bridge, near the ticketed zone, will be very crowded, so if it’s full, go to the other side of the river and try Lambeth Bridge or Vauxhall Bridge.

You can also get good views from Victoria Embankment, Waterloo Bridge and Westminster Bridge, but remember that the last one closes at 8pm, and the others will be packed too.

Cannon Street/Monument

To the east of the display, the stretch between Cannon Street and Monument stations offers a decent vantage point.

This area will be very busy, so ensure you get there early for a prime spot near the river.

Tube: Cannon Street, Bank, St Paul’s, Monument.

Primrose Hill/Parliament Hill

Alternatively, you could save yourself a trip into town by heading north to either of these picturesque parklands.

Primrose Hill, which is 76m high, will give you a great spot to enjoy the bangs and whizzes and toast 2024 in style, and although Parliament Hill is a little further out, its 98m elevation gives great visibility.

Tube: Chalk Farm, Belsize Park (Primrose Hill), Hampstead, Hampstead Heath Overground (Parliament Hill).

Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park is another viewing point which should be slightly less manic than elsewhere in central London.

The best view is at the top of Point Hill, which offers superb views of London, but do get down early as it fills up quick.