London's New Year's Day Parade

Last updated

A pearly queen at the 2019 parade 'S DAY PARADE 2019 (183) (32695977868).jpg
A pearly queen at the 2019 parade
A giant balloon at LNYDP LNYDP Mayor Giant Balloon.jpg
A giant balloon at LNYDP

The London New Year's Day Parade (LNYDP) is an annual parade through the streets of the West End of London on 1 January. The parade first took place in 1987, [1] as the Lord Mayor of Westminster's Big Parade. The parade was renamed in 1994, and for 2000 only it was called the Millennium Parade.

Contents

The parade went virtual in 2021 but returned live for 2022, albeit scaled-down, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [2] 500,000 spectators attended the 2023 parade. [3]

Organisation

The London parade is the biggest New Year's Day street event of its kind. [4] It attracts around a million live spectators and US television network PBS (more than 250 stations) cover the entire event live, reaching millions of viewers world-wide. [5] There is ticket-only grandstand seating at various points along the route. Destination Events Ltd. are the organisers of London's New Year's Day Parade (LNYDP). [6]

Parade route

Baton Twirlers taking part at LNYDP MS LNYDP 010120 059.jpg
Baton Twirlers taking part at LNYDP

The parade route is two miles (3.2 km) long. [7] Before 2010, it began at Parliament Square in Westminster, continuing along Parliament Street and Whitehall to Trafalgar Square. It then continued along Cockspur Street and Regent Street. The final section was along Piccadilly and the parade ended at Green Park.

In 2010, the parade route was reversed to "appease US television broadcasters" and to "give the American audience the best views of the capital's landmarks, such as the Elizabeth Tower of the Palace of Westminster (The Houses of Parliament, also known as Big Ben) and Trafalgar Square". [8] The revised route started at the Ritz Hotel, along Piccadilly to Piccadilly Circus, down Regent Street, then along Pall Mall to Trafalgar Square, then along Whitehall to Parliament Square.

Participants

Stunt Riders taking part at LNYDP Moto Stunts 2.jpg
Stunt Riders taking part at LNYDP

The parade is used to raise funds for charities in London and representatives from each of the 32 London boroughs are encouraged to take part as a "borough entry", judged as part of the event. London's New Year's Parade (LNYDP) has raised “the best part of £2 million” for London charities since its inception. [9] The competition did not take place in 2021 or 2022 due to the Covid 19 pandemic. [10]

Marching bands

A marching band performing at the event in 2018 MGS58032.jpg
A marching band performing at the event in 2018

The event broadcast is popular in the United States, receiving an estimated 100 million viewers, and each parade features marching bands from multiple US universities. [11]

The Pride of New Mexico Marching Band from New Mexico State University was the first collegiate marching band to participate, taking part in the first Lord Mayor of Westminster's Big Parade in 1987.[ citation needed ]

Scouts

Over 200 Scouts from across London, led by the Enfield District Scout Band, took part in the 2007 parade, heralding the start of the UK's "2007 Centenary of Scouting Celebrations".

London's town crier is also part of the parade.

Musical groups

London School of Samba performing at LNYDP MS LNYDP 010120 035.jpg
London School of Samba performing at LNYDP
Andrew Lee performing at LNYDP Andrew Lee performing at LNYDP.jpg
Andrew Lee performing at LNYDP

In 2019 Megan McKenna sung a duet with US country music performer Kaleb Lee. [12] Alongside Megan McKenna, illusionist Andrew Lee became the first Malaysian to take part in London's New Year's Day Parade. [13] In 2021, the British K-pop girl group Kaachi, gave a virtual performance. [14] Jamie Cullum and Sophie Ellis-Bextor added to the virtual spectacular in 2021, joining KAACHI and other performers. [15] Television and Broadway star Marisha Wallace headlined LNYDP 2022 alongside a roster including The Voice UK winner Molly Hocking and DJ Bodalia. [16]

The 2023 parade featured headline performances from Scouting For Girls and Toploader. [17]

The 2024 parade featured headline performances from Chesney Hawkes and Boyzlife. Rachael O'Connor performed the LNYDP anthem. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trafalgar Square</span> Public square in London, England

Trafalgar Square is a public square in the City of Westminster, Central London, established in the early 19th century around the area formerly known as Charing Cross. The square's name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, the British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars over France and Spain that took place on 21 October 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West End of London</span> Area of Central London, England

The West End of London is a district of Central London, London, England, west of the City of London and north of the River Thames, in which many of the city's major tourist attractions, shops, businesses, government buildings and entertainment venues, including West End theatres, are concentrated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayfair</span> Area of central London, England

Mayfair is an area in London, England and is located in the City of Westminster. It is in Central London and part of the West End. It is between Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly and Park Lane and one of the most expensive districts in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitehall</span> Road in the City of Westminster, in Central London

Whitehall is a road and area in the City of Westminster, Central London, England. The road forms the first part of the A3212 road from Trafalgar Square to Chelsea. It is the main thoroughfare running south from Trafalgar Square towards Parliament Square. The street is recognised as the centre of the Government of the United Kingdom and is lined with numerous departments and ministries, including the Ministry of Defence, Horse Guards and the Cabinet Office. Consequently, the name "Whitehall" is used as a metonym for the British civil service and government, and as the geographic name for the surrounding area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charing Cross tube station</span> London Underground station

Charing Cross is a London Underground station at Charing Cross in the City of Westminster. The station is served by the Bakerloo and Northern lines and provides an interchange with Charing Cross mainline station. On the Bakerloo line it is between Piccadilly Circus and Embankment stations, and on the Charing Cross branch of the Northern line it is between Leicester Square and Embankment stations. The station is in fare zone 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Park tube station</span> London Underground station

Green Park is a London Underground station located on the edge of Green Park, with entrances on both sides of Piccadilly. The station is served by three lines: Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria. On the Jubilee line it is between Bond Street and Westminster stations, on the Piccadilly line it is between Hyde Park Corner and Piccadilly Circus stations, and on the Victoria line it is between Victoria and Oxford Circus stations. It is in fare zone 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Kensington tube station</span> London Underground station

South Kensington is a London Underground station in the district of South Kensington, south west London. It is served by the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines. On the District and Circle lines it is between Gloucester Road and Sloane Square, and on the Piccadilly line between Gloucester Road and Knightsbridge. It is in Travelcard Zone 1. The main station entrance is located at the junction of Old Brompton Road (A3218), Thurloe Place, Harrington Road, Onslow Place and Pelham Street. Subsidiary entrances are located in Exhibition Road giving access by pedestrian tunnel to the Natural History, Science and Victoria and Albert Museums. Also close by are the Royal Albert Hall, Imperial College London, the Royal College of Music, the London branch of the Goethe-Institut and the Ismaili Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pall Mall, London</span> Street in Central London

Pall Mall is a street in the St James's area of the City of Westminster, Central London. It connects St James's Street to Trafalgar Square and is a section of the regional A4 road. The street's name is derived from pall-mall, a ball game played there during the 17th century, which in turn is derived from the Italian pallamaglio, literally "ball-mallet".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Buses route 6</span> London bus route

London Buses route 6 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Willesden bus garage and Victoria station, it is operated by Metroline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Buses route 9</span> London bus route

London Buses route 9 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Hammersmith bus station and Aldwych, it is operated by Metroline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Buses route 23</span> London bus route

London Buses route 23 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Westbourne Park station and Aldwych, it is operated by RATP Dev Transit London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Buses route 453</span> London bus route

London Buses route 453 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Deptford Bridge and Marylebone stations, it is operated by Go-Ahead London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Buses route 113</span> London bus route

London Buses route 113 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Edgware bus station and Marble Arch station, it is operated by Metroline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Buses route 94</span> London bus route

London Buses route 94 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Acton Green and Piccadilly Circus, it is operated by RATP Dev Transit London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of South Florida Herd of Thunder</span> Collegiate athletic bands program

The Herd of Thunder is the name for the athletic bands of the University of South Florida, which includes the show band, "Rumble" pep band, and marching band ensembles, although it is often used to refer simply to the Marching Band. The Herd of Thunder was founded in 1999, two years after USF fielded its first football team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Buses route 159</span> London bus route

London Buses route 159 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England. Running between Streatham station and Oxford Circus, it is operated by Transport UK London Bus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Night buses in London</span> Series of night bus routes that serve Greater London

The London Night Bus network is a series of night bus routes that serve Greater London. Services broadly operate between the hours of 23:00 and 06:00.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Moore (town crier)</span> British town crier (1939–2009)

Peter Moore was a British town crier. He worked for the London Tourist Board, the Mayor of London, the cities of London and Westminster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaachi</span> 2020–2023 British K-pop girl group

Kaachi were a British girl group formed by FrontRow Records. They debuted on 15 April 2020 with the digital single "Your Turn." Originally debuting as a 4-member group, Dani left the group on 23 July 2021, followed by Coco who left on 3 September 2022.

References

  1. "London New Year's Day parade marks 30 years". BBC News. 1 January 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  2. "London's New Year's Day Parade Returns For 2022, But With Some Big Changes". Londonist. 29 November 2021.
  3. Chantler-Hicks, Lydia (1 January 2023). "Huge crowds turn out for London's New Year's Day Parade". Evening Standard. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  4. Moellering, Amy (23 December 2008). "Amador band goes international for London's New Year's parade". The Oakland Tribune. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  5. Westhead, Ian (15 December 2021). "LNYDP 2022 to stream online and air on London Live". ATV Today.
  6. Westhead, Ian (15 December 2021). "LNYDP 2022 to stream online and air on London Live". ATV Today. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  7. "Thousands watch New Year Parade". BBC News. 1 January 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  8. "London New Year's Day parade reversed for US audience". BBC News. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  9. "Cultural dancers and bike stunt teams perform at scaled-down return of London New Year's Day parade". independent. January 2022.
  10. "Brent Council - Brent culture celebrated in front of an audience of millions worldwide". www.brent.gov.uk.
  11. "Parade reversed for US audience". 7 December 2009. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  12. Tobin, Olivia (1 January 2019). "Thousands gather for London's annual New Year's Day Parade". www.standard.co.uk.
  13. MAGANATHAN, DINESH KUMAR. "Illusionist Andrew Lee is first Malaysian cast in London's New Year's parade". The Star.
  14. "KAACHI Akan Tampil Di Parade Hari Raya Tahun Baru London 2021 Sambut True Normal". Berita Musik - Mata Mata Musik (in Indonesian). 3 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  15. "JANVIER 2021 - HOTEL ALHAMBRA BLOG". The Alhambra Hotel. 28 December 2020.
  16. Westhead, Ian (23 December 2021). "Marisha Wallace to entertain on New Year's Day at LNYDP". ATV Today.
  17. Young, Amira (23 December 2022). "The 2023 London New Year's Parade returns to the two-mile route, with Toploader and Scouting for Girls joining 8,000 performers - London News". UK Daily News. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  18. Salisbury, Josh (1 January 2024). "Thousands take to streets of London for annual New Year's Day parade". Evening Standard.

51°30′21.66″N0°7′49.45″W / 51.5060167°N 0.1304028°W / 51.5060167; -0.1304028