Thomas Doggett NYE Thames Cruise London - Historic Boat with Live Music 2026
Celebrate aboard the historic Thomas Doggett! Traditional Thames cruise with modern entertainment, live music, stunning river views, and prime position for London's iconic midnight fireworks display. Last spots available!
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Boarding
Bankside Pier 9:00pm
Entertainment
Live music
Type of Experience
Teens 12+ and adults
Duration
Approx. 4.5 hours
The Thomas Doggett is a New Year’s Eve cruise on the Thames aboard a boat named after the oldest continuously held sporting event in the world — Doggett’s Coat and Badge, rowed on this river since 1715. It leaves Bankside Pier on 31 December 2026: boarding at 9:00pm, departure at 9:45pm, returning at approximately 1:45am. Live music and dancing through the evening, with a bar paid separately. Tickets cannot be cancelled or amended once booked.
The later of the two boats from Bankside
Both Bankside departures return at about the same time, so the choice between them is really about when your evening starts. The Thomas Doggett boards at 9:00pm and casts off at 9:45pm, half an hour later than the Typhoon — less time on the water before midnight, but half an hour more on dry land to get across a city that is closing itself off.
The boat carries the name of the Doggett’s Coat and Badge, the sculling race between London Bridge and Chelsea run every year since 1715. It is the sort of detail that means nothing to the evening and everything to the choice, if you like the idea of seeing in the year on a river that has been doing this longer than anyone.
How the night unfolds
From 9:00pm — Bankside Pier
Check-in on Bankside, London SE1 9DT. Arrive with time in hand: boat timings are strict and latecomers cannot be waited for. Roads across central London close early on 31 December, so allow far more time than usual and check the Transport for London closures before you travel.
9:45pm — away, with the music starting
The Thomas Doggett leaves Bankside and works along the river, live music on board and the bar open.
Midnight — the fireworks
The countdown on board and the display over the Thames, watched from the deck.
Until 1:45am — back at Bankside
The boat returns to Bankside Pier. London Bridge and Southwark are the nearest stations.
Before you book
Arrive early. The timings are strict and the boat will not wait: there is no refund for a missed departure. Luggage and large bags are not allowed on board.
The bar on board is paid separately. The crew work to hold the best position they can for the fireworks, but river traffic, weather and tide decide where the boat sits on the night, and the captain’s decision is final. Tickets cannot be cancelled or amended once booked.
Both leave Bankside Pier on the same night and return at about 1:45am. The Typhoon boards earlier, at 8:30pm, and includes a Prosecco on arrival and a champagne at midnight; its bar takes cards only. The Thomas Doggett boards at 9:00pm and its bar is paid separately.
The boat leaves on time and cannot wait. No refund is given for a missed departure, so allow far more time than usual: central London closes to traffic long before midnight.
The display is launched over the river and the crew work to position the boat as well as they can for it. Visibility cannot be guaranteed: the Thames is busy that night, and weather and tide affect where the boat can sit. The captain’s decision on the night is final.
