QUICK ANSWER
London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks cost several million pounds a year. The latest official figure from the Greater London Authority is for the show that welcomed 2024: a budget of about £3.85–£4.1 million, plus £1.75 million of costs covered by ticket sales. Final costs for the 2025 and 2026 shows haven’t been published. The budget covers far more than fireworks: production, crowd safety, ticketing and marketing.
London New Year Fireworks Cost by Year
| Show | Cost (official GLA figures) | Notes |
| NYE 2017 | About £3.15m total | Net ticket income about £858,000 |
| NYE 2020 | £1.5m budget | No crowds — broadcast-only show during Covid |
| NYE 2022 | £3m budget + £1.3m from tickets | 100,000+ people along the Thames |
| NYE 2023 (welcoming 2024) | £3.85m–£4.1m budget + £1.75m from tickets | GLA gave two figures in separate FOI answers |
| NYE 2024 (welcoming 2025) | Final cost not published | About 12,000 fireworks, around 100,000 ticketholders, no drones. Media reports estimate about £2.5m |
| NYE 2025 (welcoming 2026) | Not yet published | Tickets £20–£55, sold out |
| NYE 2026 (welcoming 2027) | Not yet announced | Tickets not on sale at time of writing |
“NYE 2023” means the show on 31 December 2023. The GLA usually says final costs are “still being reconciled” for several months afterwards.
How Much Did the London Fireworks Cost in 2025?
If you mean the show that welcomed 2025 (31 December 2024), the GLA hasn’t published a final figure. In a Freedom of Information reply in February 2025, it said final costs were still being reconciled, and gave the previous year’s budget instead: £4.1 million, with further costs covered by £1.75 million in ticket revenue. Some media outlets have reported a figure of around £2.5 million for that show, but that number doesn’t appear in any official GLA release, so treat it as an estimate.
That show used around 12,000 fireworks and was watched by about 100,000 ticketholders in central London. Despite claims online, the GLA confirmed drones were not part of it.
How Much Will London’s New Year Fireworks Cost in 2026?
No budget has been announced for New Year’s Eve 2026. Based on recent years, expect a GLA budget in the region of £3–4 million, with more costs covered by ticket sales. We’ll update this page if City Hall publishes a figure.
Who Pays for London’s New Year Fireworks?
The event is run by the Mayor of London’s office and paid for from the Greater London Authority’s events budget. Since 2014 it has been a ticketed event, and ticket income helps cover the costs of running the viewing areas. The GLA says it makes no profit from the event.
What Does the Money Actually Pay For?
The fireworks themselves are only one part of the bill. According to the GLA, the total cost includes:
- Production and creative design — the show, music and timing.
- Crowd management and safety — barriers, stewards, medical cover and road closures for 100,000+ people.
- Ticketing — running the ticketed viewing areas along the Thames.
- Marketing and communications.
How Much Are London New Year’s Eve Fireworks Tickets?
For New Year’s Eve 2025, tickets cost between £20 and £55, depending on the viewing area and whether you have a London postcode. Prices for non-Londoners rose by £5 that year to cover rising event costs. Tickets are only sold through Ticketmaster, you can buy up to four, and you can’t get into the viewing areas without one. Tickets for New Year’s Eve 2026 usually go on sale in the autumn in several releases.
Is It Worth the Money?
City Hall argues it is. Its research found that ticketholders spend an average of £138.75 each on the night, which it says adds about £14 million to London’s economy — not counting people without tickets. An earlier estimate put the immediate economic boost at about £16 million, or more than £5 for every £1 spent. Critics point to the cost at a time of tight public budgets, but the event remains one of the most watched New Year celebrations in the world.
London Fireworks Cost: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do the London New Year fireworks cost?
Several million pounds. The last confirmed GLA budget was £3.85–£4.1 million for the show on 31 December 2023, plus £1.75 million of costs covered by tickets.
Did the 2025 London fireworks cost £2.5 million?
That figure has been reported in the media, but the GLA hasn’t published it. Its final cost for the show that welcomed 2025 is still listed as being reconciled.
How many fireworks are used in London on New Year’s Eve?
About 12,000 fireworks were used in the show that welcomed 2025, according to the GLA.
Are London’s New Year fireworks free?
No. The official viewing areas are ticketed, with prices from £20 to £55 in 2025. You can’t enter them without a ticket.
Who pays for the London fireworks?
The Greater London Authority, from its events budget, with ticket sales covering part of the cost.
Your Own New Year’s Eve Show — Without the Million-Pound Budget
You don’t need City Hall’s budget to see in 2027 with a bang. A well-planned garden display with a few cakes and a finale can give you your own midnight moment. For a single big finish, try the Unleash the Beast 180-shot compound cake. If space is tight, read our top 10 fireworks for small gardens. For bigger spaces, browse our 1.3G fireworks, or see our own-brand Big Shotter range. Hosting a New Year party indoors? Our cold spark machine hire gives you the look of fireworks safely inside. Remember: fireworks are allowed until 1am on New Year’s Eve.
