As London prepares to welcome 2026, more than 100,000 revellers are expected to descend on the capital for the Mayor's iconic Thames-side fireworks display. With countless others attending events across the city, Transport for London (TfL) has announced a series of travel changes to manage the huge crowds on Wednesday, December 31.
Central London Station Closures and Crowd Management
Significant disruption is anticipated in Central London due to the fireworks event, which runs from 8pm until 12.30am. Key pedestrian bridges including Westminster, Waterloo, and the Golden Jubilee bridges will be closed from 2pm. To ensure public safety and manage the flow of people, TfL will implement a series of station closures and restrictions across the network.
Several Tube stations will close early or operate with exit-only restrictions. Westminster station will shut its doors from 9.30pm. Charing Cross Tube station closes at 6pm, though its National Rail station remains open. Other major closures include Leicester Square becoming exit-only from 10pm before a full closure at 11.30pm, and Piccadilly Circus shutting at 11.30pm. Commuters should also note closures at Blackfriars, Embankment, Lambeth North, Pimlico, and Temple at various times throughout the evening.
All-Night Services on Tube, Elizabeth Line and Overground
To help party-goers get home safely, extensive all-night services will be in operation. Both the London Underground and the Elizabeth line will run a service equivalent to a reduced Saturday timetable, but will continue operating through the night.
Specific line alterations include the District line having no services to Kensington Olympia, and the Piccadilly line offering no service between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge. The Waterloo and City line will run every 10 minutes after 11:30pm, with its final service at 2.40am.
Parts of the London Overground will also run overnight. Special all-night services will operate on the Mildmay line between Clapham Junction and Shepherd's Bush, and between Willesden Junction and Stratford. On the Windrush line, trains will run all night between Highbury & Islington and Crystal Palace/West Croydon. However, the Lioness, Suffragette, and Liberty lines will not operate overnight services.
Buses, DLR, Trams and the End of Free Travel
Bus services will largely follow a Saturday schedule, with some day routes running overnight and several Central London services diverted to avoid road closures. The DLR will operate an all-night Saturday service with trains every 15 minutes from 12.30am. Trams will also run all night, with services to Wimbledon, New Addington, and Beckenham Junction departing every 30 minutes. There will be no overnight tram service to or from Elmers End.
One notable change for Londoners is the confirmed absence of free travel on New Year's Eve. A TfL spokesperson explained that, due to the ongoing financial impact of the pandemic, passengers must pay for their journeys as was the case in the previous two years. This marks a significant shift from the traditional free travel offered in the capital on December 31st.
With large crowds expected and multiple transport adjustments in place, planning your journey in advance is strongly advised to ensure a smooth and safe celebration as London rings in the New Year.
