If you and your loved one are due to be in London for New Year’s Eve, you’ll find the UK capital has it all when it comes to diverse options to seeing out 2018… and seeing in 2019 – not least if you’re planning to base yourself locally, at the likes of the Park Grand Lancaster Gate hotel…
Around the World in 80 Days
(Battersea Evolution, Queenstown Road SW8 4NW)
How about strolling around the world ‘in 80 days’ via this vibrant this celebration of global culture? Not least because to do so will mean you get to discover the ornate temples of Japan, hot air balloons, the hanging gardens of Babylon and an igloo bar lit by the northern lights. Watch Chinese dragons, cirque performers and an incredible DJ or have fun with bumper cars or the casino. And why not start the exotic festivities as you mean to go on – by indulging in an Indian afternoon tea at your accommodation? Why not!
Carnival of Light
(Troxy, 490 Commercial Road E1 0HX)
Enter the Carnival of Light for a spectacular visual display of lights, lanterns and lasers set in a supernatural underwater space garden. Get covered in psychedelic body paint and dance to a huge dance soundtrack of everything from drum ‘n’ bass to techno. With parades of light puppets and supernatural beings, Chinese dragon performances and talented dancers and acrobats, this is an unmissable experience.
Last Nights of Havana
(Tobacco Docks, Wapping Lane, St Katharine’s & Wapping E1W 2SF)
Escape the city and be transported to pre-revolution Havana for a Cuban-themed night of delicious cocktails and glamour. Rum is the focus here, with unique Caribbean flavours, but there’s plenty of other drinks to choose from. The music combines Cuba’s authentic sounds with contemporary London with DJs and live bands, and as the night goes on Latin beats will see you through to midnight.
New Year’s Eve Spectacular
(Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX)
Dance your way through the decades in a night of elegance and entertainment. This New Year’s Eve, the Royal Festival Hall will become home to six themed pop-up nightclubs, taking you through the music of each decade from the 20s to today. There are seven bars, twelve DJs, live orchestras, dance lessons and photo studios. When the countdown begins, you’ll have a front-row seat to London’s iconic fireworks display for an unforgettable night. Just the cultured thing to top off your New Year’s Eve after savouring dinner at one of the restaurants near Lancaster Gate.
Prohibition Party
(Secret location – yes, really! Visit the website for details…)
Immerse yourself in the age of prohibition at this Roaring Twenties-inspired night of glamour and debauchery. In a secret speakeasy location in London, expect live music, DJs on gramophones, silent cinema, dancing troupes and bootlegged booze. Learn to dance the Charleston like the flappers, test your luck at the roulette table in hidden gambling dens or discover cocktail menus hidden in books.
Silent Sounds
(Banking Hall, 14 Cornhill, London EC3V 3ND)
Party into the new year the Silent Sounds way, all with headphones on. Taking over the charming 1930s Art Deco-style Banking Hall, you’ll join silent disco revellers for a night of singing and dancing to your heart’s content. With three DJs, you can switch between party classics, so you can listen to music you actually enjoy. Plus, fill up on burgers, hot dogs and dirty fries.
The Blitz Party
(Village Underground, 54 Holywell Lane EC2A 3PQ)
Step back in time to the wartime glamour of the 1940s at The Blitz Party. Take cover in the Village Underground which will be transformed into a cavernous air-raid shelter full of music, dancing and classic cocktails. There’ll be live big bands performing 40s classics and modern tunes remixed in the style of the era. There’s even a pre-party dance class with professional swing dancers to show you some moves.
