Lots of of 1000's of individuals lined the streets of central London as a blockbuster-themed parade celebrating the beginning of the brand new 12 months passed off.
Crowds massed in Whitehall to see eight,500 cheerleaders, marching band musicians and acrobats from internationally who will dance the route of the capital's New 12 months's Day Parade in its 31st 12 months.
However performers and spectators needed to courageous the downpours of British climate because the heavens opened and soaked them by way of.
Footage from town's streets present folks darting throughout big puddles and huddling beneath umbrellas as some performers saved their rainproof ponchos on all through.
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Performers maintain an inflatable caricature of the Lord Mayor of London as they participate within the London New 12 months's Day Parade
Women don their greatest fancy costume as they courageous the wet begin to the brand new 12 months within the capital for the annual parade
Left, Louise and Lily Stout, 7, dressed as Mary Poppins for the annual parade, and proper, stripe fits and penguin fits on present
Spectators cheered and waved Union flags as the primary performers - cheerleaders accompanied by a marching band from Fort Myers Excessive Faculty in Florida - arrived at Whitehall
The Floridian cheerleaders carried out a few of their unimaginable stunts in entrance of the Massive Ben clock tower on the parade
Cheerleaders stun with their acrobatics as they carry out for a whole lot of 1000's of people that refused to be postpone by rain
Cheerleaders don shiny purple, white and blue outfits as they shake white and blue pom poms within the parade
Earlier than the present, they had been noticed huddling for heat within the chilly temperatures of the primary day of 2017
A spectator darts over an enormous puddle after London's New 12 months's Day parade is hit by a heavy rain bathe
The celebration follows a stunning New 12 months's Eve firework show, which was watched over by three,000 cops in a bid to maintain crowds protected following final 12 months's terrorist atrocities in Europe.
The officers shaped a protecting ring round revellers on New 12 months's Eve, and further measures had been taken to make sure Sunday's parade just isn't threatened.
Dan Kirkby, parade spokesman, mentioned the organising group had adjusted techniques following discussions with police.
He mentioned: 'We're in fixed contact with all of the authorities. Submit-Berlin we had been requested to make some extra modifications to our safety preparations with the authorities and every thing we have been requested to will we do.
'We're working arduous to maintain it a enjoyable household occasion.
'I perceive there are additional police on the route, and we have now bought additional safety personnel and we have now taken sure measures by way of street closures to increase the sterile space.'
Contributors from everywhere in the world have come to be a part of the New 12 months's Day occasion in London on Sunday
There was an array of vibrant outfits and confetti to match because the performers made their method by way of the streets
A painted horse matches his rider's outfit, and a girl sparkles with a sequinned high as she shouts to rally folks watching the parade
Mr Kirkby mentioned it was a 'kaleidoscopic' celebration that had grown and revolutionised London's former 'black gap of tradition' on January 1
Dancers from Bolivia put together in a aspect avenue earlier than they carry out in New 12 months's Day Parade in London
Individuals have come from everywhere in the world for the parade which follows the Mayor's Fireworks show on New 12 months's Eve
Males costume as warriors as they march on horseback with the parade, which began at Inexperienced Park and ends in Parliament Sq.
The parade takes in Piccadilly Circus, Regent Avenue, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Sq. and Whitehall. A pair wore cowboy hats as they drove with the performers
A person drives a small steam powered car by way of the parade, waving on the crowds in an outfit full with a high hat
A performer clothes as Marvel Girl and even clothes the horse to match as a part of the festivities. Spectators did not keep dry for lengthy as a heavy downpour began the 12 months as it could nicely go on
The theme for this 12 months's occasion was blockbusters and paid homage to the movies which have enchanted us over the a long time
The occasion kicked off at Inexperienced Park Tube station and can finish in Parliament Sq., taking in Piccadilly Circus, Regent Avenue, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Sq. and Whitehall.
Government director Bob Bone, mentioned: 'The whole world has been beguiled by movie and tv down the a long time and we wished to pay homage to the women and men that produce such sensible leisure.'
Spectators cheered and waved Union flags as the primary performers - cheerleaders accompanied by a marching band from Fort Myers Excessive Faculty in Florida - arrived at Whitehall.
The theme tunes for Ghostbusters, the James Bond movie Skyfall and the Harry Potter collection had been additionally performed as town celebrated the primary day of the 12 months.
Mr Kirkby mentioned it was a 'kaleidoscopic' celebration that had grown and revolutionised London's former 'black gap of tradition' on January 1 since its first look 31 years in the past.
He mentioned: 'We reckon we have now about 20 completely different nations represented, from Bolivia by way of to the US, and we have got Pakistan celebrating the 70th anniversary of the state of Pakistan, so all kinds.
Individuals experience mannequin steam engines through the New 12 months's day parade as spectators had been soaked by way of by rain showers
An elf sings his coronary heart out for the crowds who had been compelled to duck beneath umbrellas and keep away from splashing in puddles
'It is a kaleidoscopic parade filled with tradition, music and color. It is quintessentially quirky, the perfect of British meets folks from everywhere in the world.
'And it is a testomony to the truth that London is open for enterprise,' he added.
Commenting on the downpour, Mr Kirkby joked the rain was displaying guests the capital in all its varieties.
He mentioned: 'It reveals the spirit of London, that everybody's staying within the deluge.'
Sodden performers from the borough of Lambeth stoically carried out the Circle of Life from the Lion King, their shiny animal costumes dripping with rain.
On the seashores and coastlines across the nation, courageous swimmers bought soaking moist on function as they washed away their hangovers working into the icy seas round Britain.
Round 100 folks donned fancy costume outfits as they entered the chilly water at Whitley Bay, North Tyneside.
Some wore woolly hats and wigs with bathing fits for the dip whereas different dressed up as Batman, bananas and a lion.
Round 100 folks donned fancy costume outfits as they entered the chilly water at Whitley Bay, North Tyneside
A lady struggles to drag her swimming costume again up as she dips into the North Sea at Whitley Bay
Swimmers climb again out of the waters in what's a memorable begin to the brand new 12 months and a positive hearth strategy to clear a hangover
Though some opted for hotter scuba outfits, one determined a grass skirts and a lei could be loads of protection
One man was noticed in a blue bikini and an elf hat as he braved the very chilly wintry morning for the swim
One man was captured sporting a girls's bikini and an elf hat whereas one other man placed on a Hawaiian skirt.
Margaret Mcquillan, 55, and Melanie Harriott, 43, dressed up in Victorian bathing costumes.
The pair, who're each nurses from Gateshead, took half within the occasion for the second time.
Margaret mentioned: 'It was breathtaking, it was very chilly.
'It is a great way to start out the 12 months.
'We're mad, there isn't any different cause, it is simply insanity.
Individuals bumped into the ocean for the New 12 months's Day dip sporting onesies and tinsel and carrying Santa outfit hats in Whitley
Batman was even within the sea because the swimmers jumped in for the morning dip. Youngsters had been noticed beneath cautious supervision from mother and father
'We determined to decorate up as Victorian bathers as it's one thing completely different.
'I'm glad we have now taken half, we will probably be again once more subsequent 12 months!'
Jonnie Doughty, 50, took half within the New 12 months's Day dip for the ninth time with his household.
The practice driver, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, wore a Santa hat and matching purple shorts to run into the ocean.
He mentioned: 'It cleanses the soul.
'There have been 5 of us doing it. We do it as a household yearly.
'We attempt to costume up as one thing completely different yearly.'
A smaller model of the New 12 months's Day dip passed off in Broadstairs, Kent, the place there was much less fancy costume on show
Swimmers wore tiny bikinis as they dashed in to the chilly waters in Broadstairs, Kent, on New 12 months's Day
Liz Bone, 41, from Massachusetts, US, took half within the occasion whereas visiting relations in Whitley Bay.
She was considered one of ten relations who dressed up in bananas costumes.
Liz, a trainer, mentioned: 'We thought we might costume up as bananas as we're bananas for going into the ocean.
'I feel it's so a lot enjoyable that the group will get collectively and has these festive actions for everybody.'
The swim is an annual occasion which takes place in entrance of the city's Rendezvous Cafe.
It was organised by the Panama Swimming Membership however now the individuals get collectively independently.
There have been related occasions in Lyme Regis, Broadstairs, and the annual Loony Dook occasion, a part of Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations.
Members of the general public dressed as characters from Star Trek carry a 'Joyful New 12 months' banner by way of the water
Two girls opted for a summer season look in bikinis and dungarees however went for beanies to maintain their heads heat for the massive dip
A person, showing to be in a blazer and jumper, reacts to the chilly water as he joins round 1,000 New 12 months swimmers
A lady smiles as she wades by way of the water as she joins round 1,000 New 12 months swimmers, many in costume, in entrance of the Forth Rail Bridge
A person dressed as a child poses for a photograph within the water as he joins round 1,000 New 12 months swimmers
There have been related occasions in Broadstairs, Kent, and in South Queensferry in Scotland.
Greater than 1,000 hardy new 12 months revellers kicked off 2017 with a bracing dip within the chilly River Forth within the conventional Loony Dook.
Contributors donned fancy costume for the sell-out occasion at South Queensferry, and paraded alongside the Excessive Avenue earlier than working into the water within the shadow of the Forth Bridges at round 1pm.
Two folks costume as chillies, however nonetheless discover the water chilly, although one manages a thumbs up signal to the digicam
A person in a snowman onesie shudders on the icy temperatures whereas one other in a Saltire high appears to take all of it in his stride
A gaggle turned a bath into a ship to experience the tides as a substitute of swimming on the Loony Dook swim
A pirate kisses her captain within the sea as Santa takes care of a person in his bathtub boat, full with rubber geese
A New 12 months's Day custom for extra three a long time, this 12 months round 1,100 folks took half and raised a whole lot of 1000's of kilos for charity.
Tony Fullerton, of porridge agency Stoats which sponsors the dook, took the plunge in a group with a elaborate costume theme based mostly on Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
He mentioned: 'I am simply out the water and I am very chilly and moist. It was fairly Baltic. We're dressed because the porridge bears and Goldilocks.
A lady braves the chilly in only a bikini as she dashes by way of the waters with 1,100 others on the Loony Dook
A pair donned Bananaman outfits to offer them tremendous power for the icy temperatures they confronted
One man's costume got here full with bubbles in his tub. Those that took park got porridge to heat them up afterwards
Some took on typical Scottish stereotypes, together with tartan, ginger hair and painted the Saltire on their faces to courageous the waters
Wonderwoman seems to be shocked as she runs into the ocean along with her dinosaur good friend on New 12 months's Day morning
Two girls dressed as elves pose for a photograph with Santa within the water as they elevate cash for the RNLI
A teams of males go for Hawaiian shirts, large sun shades and inflatable guitars as they make their charity dip
'There's round 1,000 folks within the water right here and there is extra leaping round and celebrating New 12 months's Day with a loopy occasion in South Queensferry.'
Members of the Stoats group handed out porridge to entrants to warmth them up, with the hangover-busting flavour of scorching toddy porridge with whisky being a preferred alternative.
A part of the doorway payment goes in direction of South Queensferry RNLI whereas many individuals additionally elevate cash for different charities.
Earlier than their chilly dip, the swimmers march the size of the Excessive Avenue to point out off their costumes.
Tens of 1000's of individuals gathered final evening in Edinburgh and different occasions throughout Scotland to see within the New 12 months at Hogmanay celebrations.
Fancy costume was additionally the order of the day on the Lyme Regis occasion the place a crowd of rubber geese took over the seas.
Dippers and geese met at Cobb seashore at 1pm, with individuals inspired to put on fancy costume over their wetsuits to do the Lyme lunge.
Pals costume in metallic blues, purples and greens to develop into magical mermaid for the annual dip, elevating cash for charity
Individuals put on rubber duck costumes, to make them seem like sitting on them, full with bathe caps on their heads
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