New Year's Eve in London
 

We are thinking about a trip to London right after Christmas. What kind of New Year's Eve celebrations might we expect to be going on?<BR><BR>Thanks!

Much like New York. There will be loads of people in Trafalgar Square (much like in Times Sqaure). But all the pubs, clubs and restarants will be packed. All the good ones will have guest lists. I would do some research as to what you want to do and book, particularly if you want to go for a meal or to a club.

I'd give Trafalgar square a miss. Often a lot of drunken violence and petty theft 'bag snatching etc' breaks out. Police try very hard to keep numbers down by discouraging people from going.<BR><BR>Best bet is to either book a meal somewhere or perhaps go to a decent suburban pub rather than one in central London but get there early as they often close doors well before midnight and consider how you willl get back.<BR><BR><BR>

My first time in london was my 9th grade school trip over the Christmas holiday and we went to Trafalgar Square. At the time it was wonderful now at 40 I wouldn't be so sure LOL. I would email the concierge at your hotel and ask for recommendations. Surf London Websites, the theatre always a good bet for New Years Eve, at least here in NYC it is. <BR> Maybe one of the historic walks thru london might be fun and to mix with the locals in neighbor hood pubs. Let's face it bars are crowded here on New Years Eve and people still go

Just a gloss on the comment above on 'how you will get back' - for the last few years, buses have been free from 10pm or so on New Year's Eve, and extra night buses have been run. You'll need to consider whether you'll enjoy being with crowds of 'revellers' who will probably have drunk too much, but you're unlikely to be stranded.<BR><BR>There is also usually an American style parade in central London on New Year's Day. Personally I prefer to stay in the warm and watch the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year concert on TV while finishing my Christmas chocolates, but then I'm boring and middle-aged.

If the drunken crowds in Trafalgar are not what you are looking for, there are also "First Night" celebrations held in Canary Warf, Docklands and Greenwich:<BR><BR> http://www.firstnight.com/features.asp?TopicID=6<BR><BR>

Thank you, all!