Crowds gathered in central London to ring in 2026, but many who attended in person said the display failed to deliver.
They pointed to poor views, a lack of entertainment, and problems with the experience outside the main event.
Some described feeling “furious” and “disappointed,” while others argued the show was better enjoyed from the comfort of home.
Ryan R, who left a scathing review on Tripadvisor, said: “This event was an absolute disgrace.
“Security staff were rude and arrogant bullies.
“Maybe catch the fireworks on TV.”
Alison H, another reviewer who attended the display near Waterloo Bridge, said her group arrived early and parked just outside the road closures.
While initial impressions were positive, she wrote that the atmosphere quickly faded.
She said: “There was nothing to entertain people.
“There were speakers you could barely hear music through but despite this, us and other people were still dancing, to keep warm.”
She described the crowd near 11pm onwards as “passively aggressive and hostile,” and said the view of the display was “sideways” with “no light show” or atmosphere.
The fireworks themselves lasted around 12 minutes, with no audible countdown or music for her location.
She said: “My advice, do it once, don’t expect too much… you’re always going to have a better view on the TV.”
Others complained about the lack of amenities and poor management in different viewing areas of the city.
One reviewer who was in green area seven said: “I’m now quite furious having watched the BBC version of the London fireworks and having attended in green area seven.
“We were treated like animals. Absolutely nothing to drink, not even water or coffee.
“A complete rip-off.”
The criticism extended to social media, where many viewers voiced disappointment with the televised broadcast and the display itself.
One person wrote on X: “I found the fireworks boring and why was there basically an advert for Wicked in the middle and where were the drones?
“They are usually the best bit.”
Another viewer, Marjorie, said: “Stayed up to watch the London Fire works huge disappointment again with that talking and waffling and awful clips of music.”
Others took issue with the cost and value of the event.
Geraldine Plumbly said: “London’s fireworks were just a heap of bangs and flashes… barely any synchronicity and a lot of tax payers money going up in smoke!”
Even the technical aspects of the show were called into question.
One X user said: “For anyone watching the New Year’s Eve London Fireworks at home and wondering about those image that were on the London eye… Only people watching on tv will see it.”
On Facebook, Gareth Payne wrote: “All that for ten minutes of fireworks.
“Better to spend your money in the pub and watch it on the tv.”
Despite the criticism, some audience members praised organisers for managing crowd safety during the event and ensuring a calm exit from the viewing areas.
However, most agreed that the experience left much to be desired.
