Celebrate New Year's Day The London Way
- lisahylton2
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
London knows how to throw a party and this one’s going to be the biggest and the best!
On the 1st of January 2026, the capital’s streets will erupt with colour, music and pure joy as the London Parade (previously London’s New Year’s Day Parade / LNYDP) marks its 40th anniversary in truly spectacular fashion. Best of all? It’s completely free to attend. This milestone edition promises more dazzle than ever, blending international stars and jaw-dropping performances.
The Stars of The Show
The parade’s all-star line-up makes it unmissable. Sam Ryder, Britain’s Eurovision hero and chart-topping singer, is set to light up the route with his trademark powerhouse vocals and boundless energy. BRIT and Emmy-nominated, Sam first shot to fame with his viral covers before representing the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2022 with the uplifting anthem Space Man.
Since then, he has become one of the nation’s brightest stars — topping charts, touring the globe and spreading joy with his music. Fresh from the release of his brand-new album Heartland and his biggest headline show to date at Wembley Arena on November 6th, 2025, Sam is kicking off 2026 right at the heart of his capital.
Joining him is the legendary Heather Small, the distinct voice of M People. Heather’s uplifting anthem Moving On Up has been inspiring crowds for decades and it will feel especially fitting as she quite literally moves on up theparade route, bringing smiles with every note.
Family Fun
For families, the fun steps up a notch with Andy Day, the beloved children’s TV presenter, who’s bringing some very special (and very large) friends: life-sized dinosaurs stomping through Westminster. Think Jurassic Park collides with New Year’s Day, it’s an unforgettable sight for kids and grown-ups alike.
And don’t forget to look skyward. Floating above the crowds will be The Dream Engine’s Heliosphere: an illuminated balloon with an acrobat spinning and soaring beneath it. Equal parts theater and magic, it’s a spectacle that transforms the London skyline into a stage.
Add in more than 8,000 performers, including samba dancers, cheer squads, stunt teams, glittering floats and the best marching bands from around the world, and you’ve got London at its most alive.
Street performer; The Dream Engine’s Heliosphere; giant dragon display © Splash News
The Parade Route
The celebrations begin at 1pm on Piccadilly – next to the world-famous Ritz London hotel. From there, the 2.2-mileparade takes over centralLondon, winding past some of the world’s most iconic landmarks:
Piccadilly Circus
Regent Street St James’s
Trafalgar Square
Whitehall
Parliament Square
A Parade with Purpose
The London Parade has always been more than just a dazzling display. At its heart lies community spirit. Every year, London’s boroughs create unique floats and performances for the London Borough Competition, raising money for local charities in the process. Over four decades, the event has raised a more than £2.5 million, proving that celebration and giving back can go hand in hand
Highlights
★ Heather Small performing her iconic hits
★ Andy Day and the life-sized dinosaurs
★ Boogie Storm dance troupe
★ The Dream Engine’s Heliosphere glowing above the crowds
★ 8,000+ performers from around the globe
★ The very best international marching bands, samba groups, cheer squads and stunt teams
★ Floats and performances designed and choreographed by London’s boroughs, full of creativity and sparkle
★ Giant helium balloons drifting overhead
★ Vintage cars and cultural groups representing more than 27+ countriesIt’s a mix of show-stopping stars, community pride and plenty of ‘did you just see that?’ moments.
Essential Information
When: Thursday, 1 January 2026, parade starts at 1pm.
Admission: Free for all (standing). Limited Grandstand and VIP tickets are available via Ticketmaster, for those who want the best seats in the house.
Nearest Tube stations: Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Charing Cross, Westminster.
Find all the information at London Parade.
