The Aurora Clipper New Year’s Eve evening is an eight-hour programme in two parts on 31 December 2026: a three-course dinner ashore at Balls Brothers, Minster Court (3 Mincing Lane, EC3R 7PP) from 5:00pm, then an escorted walk to Tower Millennium Pier for 8:30pm boarding and a 9:15pm departure, returning at approximately 1:45am. A welcome drink at the restaurant, a second before departure, live music on board and a drink at midnight to toast 2027 are included; the bar on board is paid separately. Children are welcome from two years old. Cancellations and amendments are no longer available.
Dinner at Minster Court, then the walk to the pier
This is the only New Year’s Eve programme here that happens in two places, and the join between them is what you need to understand before booking. Dinner is at Balls Brothers on Mincing Lane, in the middle of the City, from 5:00pm. When it finishes you are walked to Tower Millennium Pier as a group, escorted by staff — you are not left to find the pier yourself, and the walk is short.
The practical consequence is the length: from sitting down at 5:00pm to stepping off the boat at about 1:45am is close to nine hours, most of the evening spent standing, walking or on the water. Tables at the restaurant are shared with other diners, so if you are booking for a group and want to eat together, book in a single transaction.
How the night unfolds
5:00pm — Balls Brothers, Minster Court
Meet at 3 Mincing Lane, EC3R 7PP. A welcome drink, then a three-course dinner at tables shared with other guests. Roads across central London close early on 31 December, so allow far more time than usual to get into the City.
After dinner — the walk to Tower Pier
The group is escorted on foot from the restaurant to Tower Millennium Pier for boarding at 8:30pm. Dress for the walk as well as the boat: it is outdoors and it is December.
9:15pm — on the water
A welcome drink before departure, then live music on board as the Aurora Clipper works its way along the river with the City lit behind.
Midnight to 1:45am — the fireworks, then back
A drink is served at midnight to toast the first hour of 2027 as the fireworks go up. The boat returns to Tower Millennium Pier at approximately 1:45am.
Before you book
Tables at Balls Brothers are shared with other diners, and there is no guarantee that separate bookings will be seated together: book in one transaction if that matters to you. After dinner you are escorted on foot to the pier, so wear something you can walk in on a cold night. Children are welcome from two years old, and the child fare covers ages 2 to 11.
The dinner drink, the drink before departure and the midnight toast are included; everything else at the bar on board is paid for separately. Neither the transport to the restaurant nor the transport home is included. Cancellations and amendments are no longer available for this programme, so treat the booking as final.
