Thousands of revellers stood along the banks of the River Thames to usher in 2022, despite an appeal by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan to remain at home and watch the fireworks on TV.
Unlike a traditional New Year display, last night’s fireworks were dispersed around the city so crowds of people could not gather to watch them.
At the London Eye, a group of anti-vaxxers held a protest which resulted in a heavy police presence.
The midnight show acknowledged the NHS and the vaccine campaign, mentioning the England football team’s Wembley heartbreak as well as Marcus Rashford’s campaign to feed children.
Instead of one large fireworks display, there were smaller pyrotechnic shows along the River Thames interspersed with live performance from Olly Alexander and The Pet Shop Boys.
Fireworks lit up the sky in front of the London Eye at midnight with a smaller display than normal
The banks of the River Thames were considerably quieter than a normal New Year’s Eve as Londoner’s stayed away
Not everyone was impressed with the London fireworks this year, with @fan234 writing on Twitter ‘The British public reacting to the “firework” display’ and including an ‘is that it? gif
And another Twitter user, MB, used an unimpressed gif of Mr Bean to show that not everyone was satisfied with the London fireworks this year
The Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral were used as a backdrop for tonight’s firework display
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan had urged Londoners to watch the display on television
Crowds line the Southbank beside the Thames for New Year’s Eve
As well as fireworks and lasers, the New Year Eve show featured performances by Olly Alexander and the Pet Shop Boys
Hundreds of people gathered in central London ahead of midnight, although this year’s fireworks display was not visible from the ground
Fireworks light up the sky over the Old Royal Naval College after the normal New Year’s Firework display was cancelled due to the pandemic
Anti-vaxxers held demonstration in central London with various people opposed to Covid-19 regulations and possible vaccine passports
Maskless protesters stood on the Southbank next to the London Eye for the late night demonstration against Covid rules
Lasers were shot across the London skyline from St Paul’s Cathedral