Millions watched from around the globe as London welcomed 2023 with a message of love and unity using fireworks and drones. The capital's biggest-ever New Year's Eve show celebrated the Lionesses winning the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, marked 50 years of Pride, sent a message of support to Ukraine and honoured the late Queen Elizabeth II and His Majesty King Charles III. More than 100,000 ticket holders enjoyed the return of the spectacular public celebration after two years of being a TV event due to the pandemic. London sent a message of love and unity to the world as its globally-renowned New Year’s Eve fireworks celebrations returned to the banks of the River Thames in spectacular fashion, with a surprise drone display above Horse Guards Parade for the first time ever.
The capital welcomed 2023 with unique fireworks and drone celebration that highlighted the Lionesses’ history-making Euro 2022 win at Wembley, marked 50 years of London's Pride with a powerful message from Peter Tatchell from the Gay Liberation Front, and sent a message of support to Ukraine. The display also paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, featuring a voice recording from Her Majesty and words from Dame Judi Dench, and honoured King Charles III, together with a message from His Majesty about the need to preserve our planet’s future. The capital's biggest-ever show, organised by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, saw more than 100,000 ticket holders usher in the New Year on the banks of the Thames, opposite the lastminute.com London Eye, for the first time in three years due to the impact of the pandemic. This year’s display formed part of the Mayor’s “Love London” tourism campaign, taking a ‘with love from London’ theme. The show was produced by Identity and included 12,000 fireworks from Titanium Fireworks and 400 drones from Celestial, with lighting designed by Tim Routledge and music directed by Kojo Samuel, both responsible for Stormzy’s iconic Glastonbury headline set. The musical feast included Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’, Ukrainian Eurovision winner Kalush Orchestra, and hits from Stormzy, Dua Lipa, Cher, Dave, Rihanna and Calvin Harris, concluding with the traditional Auld Lang Syne. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted that Londoners and visitors to the capital were once again able to join together on the banks of the River Thames to welcome in the new year with our best ever celebration.
Millions from around the world also watched our unique show, which brought together fireworks, drones, lighting and music to remember key moments in 2022 and look ahead to 2023. I’m proud that we have sent a message of love, hope and unity and I am excited for 2023 as we continue to build a better, greener and more prosperous city for everyone.” The Mayor was under fire after holding a surprise New Year’s Eve fireworks display that cost £1.5m. Tory London Assembly member Tony Devenish hit out at the mayor during Tuesday’s budget and performance committee meeting via video link, calling the display “pathetic”.However the event did generate revenue. Asian Voice asked community members who attend the event to know what they felt about the fireworks and spending. Koushik Sen told the newsweekly, “London welcomes 2023 with spectacular fireworks celebrations along the Thames River in Central London. This time I was in London to see fireworks and it was the best experience of my life. The theme was "Love and Unity" and the Mayor of London wanted to send that message to everyone watching the event around the world. The New Year's Eve show celebrated the Lionesses winning the UEFA Women's Euro 2022, supported Ukrainian refugees with love and honoured the Late Queen Elizabeth II.
The Covid pandemic has destabilised London's economy, but the Mayor of London hopes unity will overcome the economic crisis. Where there is unity there is always victory.” Sudipto Bhowmick told Asian Voice, “London fireworks welcomed the crowd after 3 years. The last time I went there was in 2019. The crowd was huge and it was an amazing experience for me and my friends. There were lots of people of Indian origin and the DJ just made us feel special by playing some famous Punjabi and Bollywood numbers. We reached the viewing area at around 9 pm and finally after 3 hours we witnessed the amazing spectacle of the fireworks to welcome 2023. The spirit of the crowd was amazing and as they said it was truly "WithLoveFromLondon".
