Chesney Hawkes and Paddington Bear joined 8,000 performers from around the world for the annual New Year’s Day parade marching through London today.
The celebration through the capital’s West End from Green Park to Westminster filled the streets with marching bands, cheerleaders, acrobats, kites and more.
More than 250,000 spectators were expected to watch from the roadside from 12pm while there will be a television audience of 500million, according to the organisers.
The London’s New Year’s Day Parade (LNYDP) ran along Piccadilly, Regent Street, St James’s, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall, and was shown on London Live.
Scotland Yard said police were ‘on patrol to respond to any concerns’ and asked attendees to ‘stay vigilant and report anything suspicious to them or by calling 999’.
A marching band make their way through London during the New Year’s Day Parade today
Cheerleader performers during the New Year’s Day Parade in London this afternoon
Performers dressed as Stormtroopers dance during the London’s New Year’s Day Parade today
Performers during the New Year’s Day Parade in London this afternoon
Participants take part in the annual New Year’s Day Parade in London today
The parade in London will start at Green Park station before heading down to Piccadilly Circus, turning left down Regent Street St James’s, along to Trafalgar Square, then right into Whitehall
Joining British singer Hawkes as headliners were supergroup Boyzlife, the Irish duo consisting of Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden from Boyzone and Westlife.
Hawkes, 52, flew into London from his home in Los Angeles for the event, which first began in 1987 with 2,000 performers – but now has 8,000 taking part.
Also involved today was Rachael O’Connor, a singer from Northern Ireland who appeared in series three of The Voice aged 16 and reached the quarter finals.
O’Connor, who has worked in Stockholm for the past few years, has also been a backing vocalist with Duran Duran and is now embarking on a new solo project.
Organisers added that performers from London’s School of Samba were appearing, telling spectators to ‘brace yourselves for a collision of rhythms and beats’.
Participants take part in the annual New Year’s Day Parade in London today
Performers during the New Year’s Day Parade in London this afternoon
A marching band make their way through London during the New Year’s Day Parade today
Members of the public watch the annual New Year’s Day Parade in London today
Performers during the New Year’s Day Parade in London this afternoon
Participants take part in the annual New Year’s Day Parade in London today
Participants take part in the annual New Year’s Day Parade in London today
Cheerleaders during the New Year’s Day Parade in London this afternoon
Cheerleaders during the New Year’s Day Parade in London this afternoon
Participants take part in the annual New Year’s Day Parade in London today
Performers during the New Year’s Day Parade in London this afternoon
Participants take part in the annual New Year’s Day Parade in London today
Also on the billing is dance troupe Boogie Storm, who became known as the dancing Stormtroopers on Britain’s Got Talent in 2016 and will ‘add a dash of sci-fi flair’.
Parade organisers Destination Events, who are based in the capital, said there would be ‘huge giant inflatables, a myriad of performance and community groups will be joined by a phalanx of the very best in American marching bands and cheerleaders’.
The parade started at 12pm near Green Park station before heading down to Piccadilly Circus, turning left down Regent Street St James’s, along Cockspur Street to Trafalgar Square, then right into Whitehall and through to Parliament Square.
Hundreds of thousands of freestanding places were available next to barriers along the two-mile route today after 4,000 grandstand seats sold out last September.
Participants take part in the annual New Year’s Day Parade in London today
Participants in London’s New Year’s Day Parade 2024 pass through Whitehall today
Performers from Sabine’s Art of Dance Company group from Berlin pose for a photo today
A performer takes part in the London’s New Year’s Day Parade event in London today
Participants take part in the annual New Year’s Day Parade in London this afternoon
A performer takes part in the London’s New Year’s Day Parade event in London today
Participants take part in the annual New Year’s Day Parade in London this afternoon
Performs at the New Year’s Day Parade in London today as they entertain the crowds
Participants take part in the annual New Year’s Day Parade in London this afternoon
High school students from Varsity Spirit, a dance and cheer programme in the US, today
Performers stand near Big Ben after taking part in the London New Year’s Day Parade today
A performer attends the London’s New Year’s Day Parade event in London today
People dressed as pandas walk in front of cheerleaders at the New Year’s Day Parade today
Dancers from Bolivia sit in the back of a car after taking part in the New Year’s Day Parade
A man rides through the streets of London during the New Year’s Day Parade event today
Chesney Hawkes prepares for the annual London’s New Year’s Day Parade (LNYDP) today
Paddington Bear joins performers from Peru at the London’s New Year’s Day Parade today
People wearing costumes sit down on the day of the London’s New Year’s Day Parade today
Organisers said there will be the ‘very best in American marching bands and cheerleaders’
The London’s New Year’s Day Parade (LNYDP) runs through the West End of London today
Chesney Hawkes has flown into London from his home in Los Angeles for the parade today
Parade director Joe Bone said: ‘We always have a blast on New Year’s Day, but this time round promises to be the biggest and best yet.’
He added: ‘We are going to party like it’s 2024, and to have such a top talent with Chesney and Boyzlife leading the way, it’s going to be the icing on the cake.’