With four days to go until 2016, London is preparing for its most momentous New Year""s Eve celebration yet. For the first time, the Mayor of London""s spectacular fireworks display will be joining forces with Edinburgh""s Hogmanay in support of Unicef""s New Year""s Resolution for Children.
In an unprecedented partnership, Unicef will bring together thousands of revellers at two of the world""s most famous New Year""s Eve celebrations for a unifying moment, aimed at raising awareness and helping children whose lives have been turned upside down by the conflict in Syria. Millions of people watching the displays from home will also have the opportunity to get involved.
Key landmarks across both cities will also be turning blue for Unicef in support of this major awareness and fundraising campaign. In London, Big Ben, BFI London IMAX (Waterloo), BT Tower, the Coca-Cola London Eye, County Hall, the Golden Jubilee Bridges, National Theatre, the Shard and the Shell building will be illuminated with the Unicef cyan blue. Lighting up in Edinburgh will be Edinburgh Castle, Queen Victoria on the roof of the National Galleries, Jenner""s Department Store Princess Street, Balmoral Hotel and Camera Obscura. Both cities will hold a minute of blue fireworks.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: ""Our stunning fireworks display this year promises to be one of the greatest yet as we join forces with Edinburgh""s Hogmanay through Unicef""s New Year""s Resolution for Children. Not only will it be a momentous occasion, uniting millions of people across the country and overseas, it will be an opportunity to make the world an even better place in 2016 and beyond by helping children affected by the Syrian crisis.""
The New Year""s Resolution for Children is being backed by a campaign on television and across social media, which urges people to ""put your money where your mouth is"". Everyone who is participating will be encouraged to donate £3 to Unicef""s campaign. All donations will be doubled by the UK Government, meaning that everyone""s gift will go even further to help save more children""s lives this winter. Donate to Unicef""s New Year""s Resolution at unicef.uk/nye.
Unicef""s Deputy Executive Director Catherine Cottrell said: ""Unicef""s New Year""s Resolution for Children aims to bring people together to make a special promise to help keep children safe. Together we can make a resolution that we can all keep and help children whose lives have been turned upside down by the conflict in Syria. We are delighted that two of the world""s greatest cities Edinburgh and London are uniting for Unicef""s Resolution in what promises to be a very special and memorable New Year""s Eve.""
Tickets for the Mayor of London""s New Year""s Eve fireworks with Unicef are sold out. If you haven""t got a ticket there are hundreds of other opportunities to bring in 2016 in style at bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs across the capital. Revellers are reminded that New Year""s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year, particularly in central London and they are advised to plan ahead. People should plan their journeys in advance, with public transport being the best way to get around. There will be services through the night, including free travel on all buses, Tube, tram, DLR, TfL Rail and London Overground from 11:45pm on New Year""s Eve and 4:30am on New Year""s Day, provided by Transport for London and supported by KAYAK.co.uk. London Overground and some TfL Rail services may finish earlier.
For updates about the Mayor of London""s New Year""s Eve fireworks with Unicef go to www.london.gov.uk/nye. Members of the public can also contact the Greater London Authority on 020 7983 4100.
For the Mayor""s New Year""s Eve message go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO7xdMtR798
Unicef""s Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is video can be found at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=woDuPUO43No
For live updates on the night follow #LondonNYE
TOP TIPS FOR ON THE NIGHT
We have put together a few tips to help you prepare for the event.
Dos
Remember – you must have a ticket to gain entry. Bring your ticket with you on the night (email confirmations etc will NOT be accepted). Your tickets are barcoded and personalised to you and will be scanned on entry, and you may be required to show photo ID at the entrance point which matches the booking name on the ticket
Expect very large crowds
Plan your journey to and from the fireworks. Remember you may need to take a different route home from the way that you arrived. Allow plenty of time for your journey home and consider walking part of it, as there""ll be long queues to access nearby stations and diversionary walking routes in place
If planning to meet members of your group before the event, choose less busy locations away from the entrance gates
Report anything suspicious to police, stewards or Transport for London staff
Keep valuables well-hidden, pickpockets operate in crowds
Stay hydrated and drink responsibly
Dress for the weather
Be prepared to stand for long periods of time
For all medical needs please visit one of the first aid points in the event viewing areas
Donts
No glass will be allowed into the event viewing areas; alcohol will be permitted in small quantities in plastic bottles or cans (any alcohol you carry should be for your own personal consumption only, not for your group, or it may be confiscated)
Please do not bring any fireworks (including sparklers) into the event viewing areas
The event is not suitable for small children; please do not bring buggies or prams into the event viewing areas
The event is standing only; no chairs or tables will be permitted into the event viewing areas.
Please do not bring any pets with you (except assistance dogs)
For more information: www.london.gov.uk/nye