By Tony O’Reilly-
Tens of thousands of revellers gathered along the River Thames near the London Eye to witness London’s breathtaking New Year’s Eve fireworks show, ushering in 2024 with enthusiasm and joy.
Despite the cold and blustery weather, revelers from around the world joined in the festivities to enjoy a 12-minute spectacle featuring 12,000 fireworks, a drone light show, and an eclectic mix of music.
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West London was filled with Londoners who gathered to celebrate the new year in style.
The theme of unity was prominently featured in the display, starting with the message “London: A Place for Everyone” illuminated above the crowds.
The show went on to commemorate significant milestones, including the marking of the King’s coronation year, the 75th anniversary of the NHS, and the 10-year anniversary of same-sex marriage becoming legal in England and Wales.
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Throughout the night, messages were delivered by various personalities, including mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Dame Helen Mirren, Bella Ramsey, Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, George the Poet, and Baroness Floella Benjamin, who read a poem by the late Benjamin Zephaniah.
The show also paid tribute to the 75th anniversary of the Windrush crossing, emphasizing the enriching contributions of new arrivals to the nation’s fabric.
The celebrations were not confined to London, as events unfolded across the UK, including the 30th Hogmanay street party in Edinburgh, where the reformed band Pulp headlined the festivities. Firework displays illuminated the skies over Blackpool Tower and Newcastle’s Quayside, featuring a captivating laser show on the Baltic Flour Mills.
Germany’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. Credit: AP
However, the night faced disappointments in Barnstaple and Plymouth, where events had to be canceled due to strong winds affecting coastal parts of southern England and Wales.
The global celebrations commenced earlier in the day, starting on the island of Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean and progressing through Tonga, Samoa, and New Zealand.
Sydney stole the early spotlight with a massive fireworks display over the iconic Harbour Bridge, attracting an estimated 1 billion viewers worldwide.
The Opera House, celebrating its 50th anniversary, dazzled with 75,000 pyrotechnic devices in a 12-minute display that took 15 months to plan.
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As London bid farewell to 2023 and welcomed the promise of a new year, the city’s vibrant and diverse celebrations set the tone for a hopeful and united start to 2024.