London welcomes 2025 with dazzling fireworks despite weather cancelling UK events
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To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. Thousands of revellers in Birmingham were disappointed at the stroke of midnight when a New Year firework display turned out to be fake news.
![[??George Cracknell Wright 01/01/2025 London, United Kingdom London New Year's Eve Fireworks Fireworks explode above the London Skyline shortly after midnight to mark the start of the New Year. Photo Credit: George Cracknell Wright]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_234652422-4063.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
AI posts on social media had convinced many residents that the city was hosting its first official display in a decade – and it was going to be spectacular. Instead, the beginning of 2025 was marked by cheers and a solitary firework let off by someone in the crowd.
![[People on London's Embankment waiting for the start of the fireworks display to see in the New Year. Picture date: Tuesday December 31, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCIAL NYE. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234642789-d10e.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Officers from West Midlands Police were sent to break the unfortunate news to those gathered, but a large number decided to stick around to soak up the community atmosphere regardless. Birmingham Superintendent Emlyn Richards said: ‘There are rumours online that a fireworks display will take place in Centenary Square but there isn’t a planned event this year.
‘We don’t want people travelling into the city to be disappointed when they arrive and discover this is the case.’. In London, a stunning firework display reputed to be the biggest in Europe lit up the skyline as the UK welcomed in the New Year. The River Thames and the London Eye were illuminated with the colourful light show, accompanied by music and the familiar bongs of Big Ben.
Celebrations at the Primrose Hill viewpoint in north London were marred by a dangerous driving incident in which a pedestrian received minor injuries. A man has been arrested. Meanwhile, huge crowds braved relentless rain in Manchester to watch the city’s display.
