New Year’s Eve carnage in photos as revellers brave storms to ring in 2025
The UK erupted into a huge party to welcome the start of 2025 – but the night was dogged by bad weather, cancelled events and even a social media hoax that fooled thousands of people
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.
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In with a bang
London’s fireworks display was one of the success stories of the night, as thousands turned up for the event despite windy conditions
(Image:Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Not much to see
Crowds gathered in Birmingham’s Centenary Square to wait for official fireworks that were rumoured to be happening on social media – but they were sorely disappointed
(Image:Alamy Live News.)
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Party’s off
There were no official New Year’s celebrations in Edinburgh this year after organisers cancelled the Hogmanay due to safety concerns
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Here for a good time
Revellers braved heavy rain as they made the most of New Year’s Eve in Liverpool city centre
(Image:Ioannis Alexopoulos/LNP)
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Spirits not dampened
Partygoers hit the bars and clubs across Britain despite the weather cancelling New Year’s Eve events
(Image:Ioannis Alexopoulos/LNP)
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Bad news
In Birmingham, police officers patrolled the square telling those who made their way down that the event was not happening
(Image:Alamy Live News.)
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When it rains it pours
Some brave souls in Edinburgh city centre stuck it out after all outdoor events were called off
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A fiery tradition
The Tar Barrel Festival is a New Year celebration in the Northumberland village of Allendale which dates back to 1858
(Image:AFP via Getty Images)
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Come rain or shine
In Liverpool, bags for life worked perfectly as a rain cover for this dedicated group of friends
(Image:Ioannis Alexopoulos/LNP)
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Happy New Year!
Happy New Year from everyone at the Mirror
(Image:PA)
