Brits have braved lashing rain and howling winds to celebrate the new year – despite weather warnings being issued for large parts of the UK.

London rang in 2025 with a dazzling pyrotechnic display along the River Thames attended by thousands. But with a huge storm bringing bitter weather and strong winds to other parts of the nation, however, the famous Hogmanay even in Edinburgh was among the major events cancelled. Planned New Year’s fireworks in Blackpool and Ripon were also called off.

There was meanwhile disappointment in the centre of Birmingham after social media scammers lured thousands of people for a ‘fireworks spectacular’ that never materialised. Police were forced to tell people gathered waiting in the city’s Centenary Square that a display advertised online was in fact a hoax.

A spectacular sight unfolded in Allendale last night, where the Tar Barrel’s Men processed through the streets under torchlight in a tradition dating back to the mid 19th century. New traditions were also started as Manchester held its first ever official fireworks display. Pyrotechnics were launched above St Peter’s Square from the roof of the landmark Central Library.

Wind and rain have continued to bring travel disruption to parts of the UK through the early hours of 2025. North-West England was bearing the brunt of the rain on Wednesday morning, although Met Office weather warnings were in place across large parts of England, Wales and Scotland on New Year’s Day. An amber alert is in place for North-West England until 9am, with the Met Office saying heavy rain had fallen across the region for several hours.