Advice for Primrose Hill visitors on New Year’s Eve

In the run-up to New Year’s Eve, The Royal Parks and the Metropolitan Police are reminding visitors not to bring fireworks or paper lanterns to Primrose Hill and that the park is not an official viewing area for the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

There is no firework display or any kind of event in the park and the park is not an official viewing area for the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks. This year’s London firework display is sold out. There are plenty of other exciting ways to celebrate NYE in London - Visit London has a guide to the alternatives. 

Or watch at home – the best view without a ticket will be watching it on TV, with the display being broadcast live on the BBC at midnight.

The Royal Parks is working with partners, including the Metropolitan Police in ensuring that the park does not become a place for large groups to gather to hold their own firework event or party. Organising large gatherings without permission and setting off fireworks or lanterns is in breach of Royal Parks regulations, which are enforceable by the Met Police.

Primrose Hill is not suitable for large gatherings. The Metropolitan Police will be present in the park on New Year’s Eve, supported by stewards, who will be reminding people that the park will close at 1am on New Year’s Day. 

Nick Biddle, Park Manager for The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, said: 

“Primrose Hill isn’t suitable for hosting a display or for people to bring their own fireworks or paper lanterns. Fireworks and lanterns are not allowed in any of the Royal Parks, including Primrose Hill.

“We ask that people please respect the park and the surrounding area by not organising a gathering on Primrose Hill or letting off your own fireworks or lanterns. Also, if the bins are full, please take litter home with you.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 

“Our officers will of course do their best to ensure the safety of the public by providing a visible presence and dealing swiftly with incidents, but we must make clear this is not an official viewing area.

“We’d encourage people to spend their evening at one of the many organised events taking place across London instead.

“For everyone’s safety, we would urge anyone who does choose to come to Primrose Hill to leave fireworks or similar items at home.”