There’s no better way to ring in the new year than to watch the night sky light up with a glorious display of fireworks, surrounded by your loved ones. Instead of sitting and watching firework displays from around the world on your TV this New Year’s Eve, why not make an adventure of the celebration? Check out some of the best New Year’s Eve fireworks displays that will be happening around the UK this December 31st to really kick your new year off with a bang!
Newcastle Quayside
New Year’s Eve is known for being the biggest and best night out of the year, so Newcastle, with its reputation for larger-than-life parties, is the perfect place for the party of the year accompanied by a wondrous display of fireworks. The dazzling display is accompanied by live music and excited crowds to really help you celebrate the new year in style. With previous Newcastle New Year celebrations including everything from pyrotechnic performances to carnival parades, and with the promise of a great night on the ‘toon’ to follow, Newcastle is a prime spot for firework-watching this New Year’s Eve.
Trains to Newcastle:
CrossCountry offers services directly to Newcastle from all over the UK, many of which come with a stunning view over the River Tyne as you cross the bridge from Gateshead into Newcastle. Whether you’re coming a long way - like from Edinburgh, Plymouth, or Liverpool - or from nearby Durham or Morpeth, CrossCountry has a whole host of routes to get you to Newcastle in comfort.
St Ives, Cornwall
Get your glad rags on and get yourself down that favourite seaside spot - St Ives! Over the years, the St Ives celebrations in West Cornwall have grown from a local occasion to a full-blown event that people flock to for a great evening of costumes, fireworks, and fun. The fun tradition of fancy dress on New Year’s Eve in St Ives means that as you stand in the crowd watching fireworks become spellbinding colours in the night sky, you’ll be amongst all kinds of animals, aliens, characters, and much more!
Trains to St Ives:
St Ives is just a short train or bus ride away from St Erth station, which is on a direct line from Plymouth, Bristol, Exeter, and many different stations along the way.
Centenary Square, Birmingham
Be part of the biggest New Year’s celebration in the West Midlands, in Birmingham’s beautifully modern Centenary Square. England’s second city has been hosting all kinds of groups for its magnificent fireworks display for many years, making it an ideal location to join crowds of excited people to celebrate the dawning of a new year and watch the spectacular fireworks display.
Trains to Centenary Square in Birmingham:
Only a 10-minute walk away from Birmingham New Street station, not only is this a mesmerising New Year’s fireworks celebration, but it is also super convenient to reach from a whole host of UK towns and cities with CrossCountry services.
Hogmanay in Edinburgh
If you’re in the mood for a wickedly entertaining fireworks display on New Year’s Eve, nothing can top Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations. Famous all around the world, Hogmanay is simply the Scots word for the last day of the old year, but it has come to symbolise their extraordinary celebrations of the coming of the New Year. Edinburgh is always the capital of the Hogmanay celebrations, so expect magnificent fireworks displays to ring in the New Year, as well as street parties, huge events, and a lively atmosphere. Watch Edinburgh Castle light up on a backdrop of fireworks in Edinburgh this New Year.
Trains to Edinburgh:
If you’re coming from the South, you can reach Edinburgh train station from plenty of English cities and towns, including Durham, Darlington, York, Derby and more. As you might expect, you can also reach Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations with ease from around Scotland too, like from Dundee, Aberdeen, and Glasgow.
Bournemouth
Imagine a Southern hemisphere New Year celebration with fireworks on the beach - this is what’s on offer in Bournemouth on the south coast. Just don’t forget your woolly hats and gloves! Gather your loved ones on the beautiful Devon beach to watch the sky light up with colours, accompanied by all your favourite seaside treats like candy floss, doughnuts, and hot chocolate. Grab yourself something tasty to eat or drink and settle in for a fantastical display of fireworks with an excited crowd of people.
Trains to Bournemouth:
With easy access on plenty of CrossCountry routes, it couldn’t be simpler to make your way to the Bournemouth on a CrossCountry train. Check out our popular routes, including Reading to Bournemouth, Manchester to Bournemouth, Birmingham to Bournemouth, and more, for easy access from all over the UK.
If you're planning a trip to one of the best New Year’s Eve Fireworks displays in the UK, don't forget to book an Advance ticket via our website or our Train Tickets app. You can also find information on how to get cheaper train tickets via our special offers page. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
The UK is bursting with fun activities. Whether you're visiting one of the best places to find fossils in the UK, the most famous landmarks in the UK, or the best indoor ski slopes in the UK, you can always travel by train. CrossCountry has services running up and down the country to ensure you can get to the places you need to be.
Written by Julia