People around the nation had to brave wet and windy conditions to celebrate the new year, but that did not deter tens of thousands of people from attending.
More than one hundred thousand people gathered on the banks of the Thames to celebrate the beginning of the year 2023 in London, where the New Year’s fireworks display included a tribute to the late Queen and a show of support for Ukraine.
The theme of the sold-out fireworks display was “love and unity,” as over 12,000 explosions illuminated the sky.
2023 with love from London” was written out by drones at the opening of the display.
The homage to the Queen, who passed away in September, included a recording of her voice as well as comments from Dame Judi Dench.
Then, it honored the King with a message from him about the importance of protecting our world.
It also highlighted the Lionesses’ Euro victory at Wembley and commemorated the 50th anniversary of London’s Pride with a message from Gay Liberation Front member Peter Tatchell.
Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, the Ukrainian Eurovision champion Kalush Orchestra, hits by Stormzy, Dua Lipa, Cher, Dave, Rihanna, and Calvin Harris, and the customary Auld Lang Syne to close the evening.
People gathered in Edinburgh for the first full Hogmanay celebrations in three years, due to the coronavirus pandemic affecting prior gatherings.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted, “Thinking back to Hogmanay last year and the year before, we are reminded of how far we’ve gone since the darkest days of the pandemic.”
As in London, partygoers in Edinburgh braved the weather to listen to the 1980s duo The Pet Shop Boys perform, while fireworks lit up the sky behind the city’s castle.
Winter Wonderland was the place to be in Cardiff, while the Europa Hotel held its annual Gala Ball in Belfast.
But in some areas of the United Kingdom, there were no fireworks.
Scarborough, a beach resort in North Yorkshire, canceled its show out of worry that the noise and light may harm Thor, an Arctic walrus.
The walrus was seen earlier this month around the coast of Hampshire and came into Scarborough’s harbor on New Year’s Eve.
