New Year's Day Parade

London's New Year's Day Parade crowns the capital's festive season – make sure you don't miss it!

The New Year's Day Parade in London

The New Year's Day Parade in London features more than 10,000 performers representing 20 countries world-wide.

Dancers, acrobats, cheerleaders, musicians and performers assemble in the heart of the city for a "celebration of nations".

Young people from the US, Japan and Europe come together with those from London for three hours of pomp and frivolity.

London's New Year's Day Parade Route

This year's parade route has changed from previous years: it starts at The Ritz hotel and ends in Parliament Square. 

The parade starts in 12 noon and proceeds along Piccadilly to Piccadilly Circus, then takes in Lower Regent Street, Waterloo Place, Pall Mall, Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and ends at Parliament Square in front of Big Ben. 

More than half a million people are expected to cram into London's most famous streets to see the parade weave its way along the 2.2-mile (3.5km) route.

Watching the Parade in London

The theme of the 2010 New Year's Day Parade is "Let Us Entertain You". And, with more than 8,000 participants from around the world as well as 25 London boroughs represented, you won't be disappointed!

"With so many boroughs on board – and lots of overseas participants planning to make the trip – there will be no better way to start 2010," says the parade's executive director, Robert Bone.

Get your space early to see this spectacular celebration!