New Year’s Eve 2010/2011 in London

By Christmas Eve at the latest, you should have a good plan in place for your New Year’s Eve party in 2010/2011. Experience shows that the festive season marks the start of the busy period for New Year’s preparations. So if you’re not planning to celebrate within your own four walls and would like to ring in the New Year somewhere a little less ordinary—in a true world metropolis—don’t wait too long. After all, London is one of the world’s most popular cities for New Year’s Eve, second only to New York. Statistics show that hotel stays in London peak around the turn of the year. That’s hardly surprising, since London offers countless ways to welcome the New Year. Here’s a quick look at the most popular ways to see in 2011 in London:

- Trafalgar Square hosts what is probably London’s biggest and most popular New Year’s Eve celebration. But you’ll need to be quick and have plenty of stamina if you want to join in, as the dance floor fills up quite early. The party itself doesn’t get going until 11 p.m., and it’s best suited to London visitors who can handle the cold. After all, temperatures at the turn of 2010/2011 are not expected to be especially warm.

- You can experience a spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display at the London Eye. The giant Ferris wheel on the Thames also makes an impressive backdrop for the turn of the year. But you don’t have to be nearby: the magnificent fireworks are shown all over the city. Public viewing is another great option. With giant screens in the streets, pubs and bars, London becomes one enormous New Year’s Eve party. Live broadcasts bring all the celebrations together.

- Head to one of the many bridges over the Thames and you’ll be right in the middle of the action. From there, you’ll enjoy excellent views of the city and the fireworks, while the chimes of Big Ben ring out above you—surely one of the most impressive sounds with which to welcome the New Year.

- A visit to Piccadilly Circus is certainly not to be missed, either. Already a colourful counterpart to New York’s Times Square, it comes even more alive on New Year’s Eve 2010/2011 and offers amateur photographers among London’s visitors some great shots for their keepsake albums.