Performers in this year’s line-up include M People’s Heather Small and Eurovision star Sam Ryder
09:00, 31 Dec 2025
The 2026 New Year’s Day parade in London will be starting an hour later than usual at 1pm (Image: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu via Getty Images)
It’s surely the toughest parade in town, hours after the excesses of New Year’s Eve, the countdown to midnight and flowing drinks of wine, champers and beer.
But come rain or shine, London New Year’s Day Parade holds a special place in the capital’s heart as its first major event of the year, as 8,000 performers including representatives from local schools, bands, artists and musicians perform along the two-mile route beginning at Piccadilly to Whitehall, finishing close to Westminster.
And this year’s event is starting an hour later at 1pm, so there’s no excuse for those refusing to get out of bed for the free-standing event, open to the general public throughout the route, although ticketholders can arrive from 11am. Around 500,000 people are expected to turn out for this year’s party, which will last until around 4.30pm.
Parade route
A map shows the route of London New Year’s Day Parade(Image: London New Year’s Day Parade)
The parade will begin near the Ritz Hotel and Green Park Station, making its way along Piccadilly, which will be adorned by three grandstands. A big screen will be in place at Piccadilly Circus, before the procession turns down Regent Street.
From then, the parade will flow through Regents Street, St James’s, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and down to Waterloo Place, with another large screen for the public.
Road closures
The performers will be sure to bring plenty of energy along the parade route (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
The main roads along the route will be closed throughout the parade, including Piccadilly, Regent Street & St James, Pall Mall and Whitehall, while Waterloo Place at the end of Regent Street will be closed off to allow an area for press and news photographers.
Best Tube stations
This year’s parade will begin just outside Green Park station, available on both the Victoria and Jubilee lines, for those wanting to see the hubbub surrounding each float as it starts its journey.
The route is extremely popular and some of the best places to stand include Green Park, Regent Street, St. James’ Park, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall. Other key stations along the route include Charing Cross Road (Northern, Bakerloo), Westminster (District, Circle, Jubilee), Victoria (Victoria, District, Circle), St. James Park (District, Circle) and Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly)
Performers
Heather Small and Sam Ryder will perform at London’s New Years Day Parade(Image: JMEnternational / Cameron Smith / Getty Images)
The will be a versatile group of performers keeping up the energy of the parade with live music and dance. Karts of London’s eco-friendly cars will be driving a convoy of vehicles to wow passers-by, while London Pearly Kings and Queens Society will add a touch of oldie-worlde tradition and London School of Samba some much-needed Carpe Diem.
There is no single headliner this year, but revellers can expect live music from former M People lead singer Heather Small as well as Britain’s favourite Eurovision contender, Sam Ryder, with rising band The Entitled Sons and singer-songwriter Veronica Fusaro also putting on a show.
A number of popular tribute acts for George Michael, ABBA, Elton John and the Spice Girls will also grace the parade. Other performances will come from English Jazz Orchestra, Miss Great Britain, Heroes for Charity, Hamleys and Glencoe Marching Band plus a number of high school bands and London boroughs.
London New Years Day Parade begins at 1pm on January 1, 2026, at Piccadilly and concludes at Whitehall at 4.30pm. For more information, see here.
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