London's world-famous New Year's Eve fireworks display, orchestrated by Mayor Sadiq Khan, has faced a blistering critique from an attendee who branded the experience "f***ing s***" and a colossal waste of money. The revelation has sparked a wider debate about the commercialisation and accessibility of the capital's flagship celebration.
'Penned in like sheep': The £45 On-The-Ground Experience
Content creator Alex Dodman, with 200,000 Instagram followers, delivered a scathing review of his experience at the 2024/2025 event. He paid £45 for a ticket in the 'green zone' behind the London Eye, only to find himself "penned in like sheep" from 10:30pm with over 90 minutes to kill in a dense, anxious crowd. He described the view as "f***ing awful," partially obstructed by a building site.
The amenities offered little comfort. Dodman highlighted "massive" queues for food trucks selling extortionately priced fare, including a £22 'Big Cheese Burger' and chips for an additional £6.50. He also claimed the music was nearly inaudible on the ground, making the display feel tailored purely for television. The ordeal concluded with a chaotic exit, navigating "absolutely rammed" Tube stations.
From Free Festivity to Ticketed Spectacle
Dodman lamented the event's evolution from a free public celebration with complimentary Tube travel to a heavily managed, ticketed affair. Free travel on New Year's Eve was scrapped in 2020 and not reinstated, a move Dodman saw as ending a "nice little gesture to the people of London." The ticketing system was introduced in 2014 under then-mayor Boris Johnson.
His candid assessment resonated with many. One follower who attended the same zone confirmed they "couldn’t even buy a drink! Not even a bottle of water," while another dramatically stated they'd "rather rip my face off and throw salt on it" than repeat the experience.
TV Spectacle vs. Public Backlash: The 2026 Display Controversy
The controversy extended to the broadcast of the 2026 display, watched by 100,000 on the Thames and millions on the BBC. While Mayor Khan hailed it as "the greatest in the world" with a theme of "togetherness," viewers criticised a prominent segment featuring the movie Wicked: For Good.
The display, which used over 12,000 fireworks and hologauze technology, included visuals and songs from the film, plus a message from its star, Cynthia Erivo MBE. Many on social media accused it of being a blatant advertisement, with one tweeting, "why was there basically an advert for Wicked in the middle?" Others noted the absence of a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July 2025.
Despite the criticisms, the production celebrated a year of British achievements, including England's women's rugby World Cup win and the Lionesses' Euros victory, set to a soundtrack featuring Raye, Sabrina Carpenter, and Coldplay.
The stark divide between the polished television broadcast and the reported on-ground reality raises significant questions about the value and execution of one of Europe's largest annual public events. As the backlash grows, pressure mounts on the Mayor's office to reconcile its vision of a global showcase with the actual experience offered to paying attendees.
