Patrons & Supporters

It is always a pleasure to send my good wishes to everyone involved in London’s New Year’s Day Parade & Festival.

The Parade is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the year gone by, and to look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. This special annual event brings together communities from across the UK, and around the World, and I am sure that this year’s Parade will be another uplifting and entertaining event. I would like to thank all of those who are taking part and who have made the event possible. You should all be incredibly proud of your dedication to showcasing the very best of our great city.

I am sure participants and spectators alike will have a wonderful time.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year

Prime Minister, Theresa May

Prime Minister Theresa May

“There really is no better place to welcome in the New Year than London. From the World’s greatest fireworks show on New Year’s Eve, to the fun-filled London’s New Year’s Day Parade and Festival, our capital will be celebrating our unity and diversity as we again show the World that London is open to all.

“At the New Year’s Day Parade, more than 10,000 performers from more than 20 nationalities will stand side by side in celebration. From dancers to marching bands, and giant balloons to stunt riders, they will turn some of our most iconic streets into a sea of joy and colour.

“It will truly be a spectacular way to welcome in 2019, so whether you are a Londoner, a visitor or one of the millions watching at home, I’d like to wish you all a very Happy New Year!”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan

LNYDP Patron, former Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster 2004-05

Welcome to London’s New Year’s Day Parade, the showtime theme next year will ensure that 2019 starts off with an uplifting spectacle which will give pleasure to us all whether in London or the other side of the world. As a Patron of the Parade I know how much work goes in to preparing for this fantastic event, not only is a great deal of time and effort dedicated to showcasing the talents of so many entries, but also to raising funds for chosen charities.

It is a privilege to be able to celebrate each groups’ achievements as we watch them go by. We will all have a memorable day here in Westminster and particular thanks must go to the whole community, spectators, volunteers and participants alike, for being part of this spectacular show to celebrate 33 years.

Catherine Longworth

As a Patron of London’s New Year’s Day Parade, it is a great privilege and honour to congratulate all the participants who have worked so hard over many months to prepare for New Year’s Day.

This year, we were treated to a feast of bands, boroughs, music, dancing and many other acts, bringing fun and colour to London’s streets as we rang in the new year.

Next year’s Parade, with its ‘London Welcomes the World‘ theme, promises to be another spectacle, once again showcasing talent from around the world.

Happy New Year and I hope you have a wonderful day of celebration to mark the start of 2019!

Duncan Sandys

In my first year as HM Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London I am delighted to have this opportunity to thank everybody involved in this spectacular Parade.

Over the years it has grown to be a fantastic occasion for both the participants and spectators who assemble from all over the globe.

Indeed it echoes my desire for social inclusion within London. I urge you all to enjoy the day and give generously to support the many worthy charities nominated by the London mayors.

My best wishes to you all for the year ahead.

Ken Olisa

Even with the mortality tables edging ever upwards, thirty three years is not far short of half a life time. It is anyway longer than the life span of many of next year’s participants.

No one should be surprised that London’s New Year’s Day Parade is now an established and keenly awaited fixture in the city’s calendar. If Vox Populi is the gauge that the Romans alleged it is, then the mere fact that three hundred million viewers have television access to the Parade is surely significant.

A resounding welcome, in any case, to the thousands of viewers and participants. This exuberant event is a joyful prelude to a year which we hope will brim with happiness and success.

Roger Bramble DL

The New Year is typically a time for resolutions, for fresh commitments to living better, to acting generously, to being happier. Of course, as we all know, whatever resolutions we have made, we fail to sustain.

So, often we fail to make any resolution at all, or do it halfheartedly, or simply give up trying to be good, generous and happy. I recognise that part of our human condition is to aspire to live better, to act generously and in consequence to be happier. But, sadly and regrettably, we fail to live up to our aspirations.

None of us achieves our goals in this regard. As a Christian, I believe that Jesus Christ, as the only perfect human being ever to have lived and as our Saviour, can enable us to overcome our weaknesses.

So, let us renew our commitment to a better way of life in 2019.