New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January 2027.
Although New Year’s Day in London is a bank holiday, it is certainly not a day for boredom in the British capital, as there are quite a few things you can do on this day in London!
London’s New Year’s Day Parade
The London Parade 2027 is scheduled for 1 pm to 4.30 pm on Friday 1 January. It follows Piccadilly, Regent Street St James’s, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall, with marching bands, music, floats and performers. Standing along the route is free; ticket holders for reserved viewing are advised to arrive from noon.
London celebrates New Year’s Day with one of the most important parades that take place in the British capital: The New Year’s Day Parade. Standing along the route is free, and having been a few times; I can say it is a great experience.
You can stand for free to watch practically all along the route of the parade, it can get quite busy near the Big Ben and Trafalgar Square so I´d recommend getting there early.
What else is open on 1 January?
Winter Wonderland and seasonal skating
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is still in its 2026–27 season and lists an 11 am opening on 1 January 2027. Its fairground, market stalls, skating and Magical Ice Kingdom make an easy alternative to the parade, especially with children. You need a dated entry slot, and paid attractions have separate bookings.
Somerset House runs its ice rink into January with a date-specific holiday timetable. Skate Leicester Square is scheduled through 3 January 2027. Pair a central skating session with Covent Garden and the lights, or spend your whole afternoon in Hyde Park rather than trying to rush between both events.
Attractions, museums and a show
The London Eye (opening times), sightseeing buses and some West End shows often have New Year’s Day sessions. Choose the specific day in the operator’s ticket calendar. If you would like an indoor visit, the British Museum, Natural History Museum and V&A each publish holiday opening arrangements; some museum galleries may open while others close. London Museum is scheduled to open its new Smithfield galleries on 28 November 2026; its visitor page will list the January timetable. See our museum guide for the kind of collection that suits your group.
A show can be a good evening plan after the parade. A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic and The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre run into January, as does Disney On Ice at The O2, but each production has its own 1 January performance schedule. Our Christmas shows guide gives you the venues and current run dates.
A relaxed New Year’s Day walk
If you would rather not book tickets, wander from Trafalgar Square towards Covent Garden for the decorations and shop windows, or walk along the South Bank for views of the London Eye, Westminster and the river. The Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square remains a familiar seasonal landmark. Some markets have finished by 1 January, while Winter Wonderland continues until 3 January 2027, so go to a market that has a published opening date rather than expecting every December stall to be there.
Food and getting around
Many restaurants and pubs open on the bank holiday, though lunch may start later than usual and a holiday menu can replace the everyday one. Book a place near the parade route or your main attraction and see our London food guide for ideas. TfL and National Rail services may run to a different timetable after New Year’s Eve; look up the trip and step-free access in the TfL Journey Planner. The parade’s road closures make walking the last stretch particularly useful.
Rail warning for 1 January 2027: Paddington engineering works mean no GWR long-distance trains between Reading and Paddington. The Elizabeth line also has no service between Reading and Slough. Check the operator’s alternative route before setting off.
If you have more days in London, our three-day itinerary helps you spread major attractions over the rest of the trip.
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.