The London New Year’s Day Parade for 2026 is set to take place on January 1. This year, the parade will commence at 1 PM, starting an hour later than usual. The event will feature around 8,000 performers, including local bands, artists, and school groups. An expected 500,000 attendees will line the route to celebrate the New Year.
Parade Route and Highlights
The parade will begin near the Ritz Hotel and proceed along a two-mile route, which includes famous locations such as:
- Piccadilly
- Regent Street
- St. James’s
- Pall Mall
- Trafalgar Square
- Waterloo Place
Each of these locations will feature grandstands and large screens for spectators to enjoy the performances. The event is open to the public, with attendees encouraged to arrive early, particularly at popular spots like Green Park and Trafalgar Square.
Road Closures
Due to the parade, several key roads will be closed, including:
- Piccadilly
- Regent Street
- St James’s
- Pall Mall
- Whitehall
Waterloo Place will also be restricted to provide space for press coverage and photographers.
Public Transport Access
Attendees can easily access the parade via various Tube stations, with some of the best options being:
- Green Park (Victoria and Jubilee lines)
- Charing Cross (Northern, Bakerloo lines)
- Westminster (District, Circle, Jubilee lines)
- Victoria (Victoria, District, Circle lines)
- St. James’s Park (District, Circle lines)
- Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly line)
Performance Line-up
Highlighting the parade’s festivities will be performances from notable artists, including:
- Heather Small (former M People lead singer)
- Sam Ryder (Eurovision star)
- The Entitled Sons (rising band)
- Veronica Fusaro (singer-songwriter)
The lineup will also feature tribute acts covering George Michael, ABBA, Elton John, and the Spice Girls. Various other performers, including the English Jazz Orchestra, Miss Great Britain, and local marching bands, will add to the lively atmosphere.
Event Schedule
The 2026 London New Year’s Day Parade will officially begin at 1 PM on January 1 and is expected to conclude around 4:30 PM. This event marks London’s first major celebration of the new year, continuing a beloved tradition in the heart of the city.
