Athletes performing in the streets of london for the special event

About the London New Year’s Day Parade

Eligible Participants: 

  • UCA Varsity All-Americans (excluding California)
  • NCA Varsity All-Americans and All-American Nominees (excluding California)
  • UCE Varsity All-Americans (excluding California)

Year in School: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Location: London, England

Trip Dates: December 26, 2024 – January 2, 2025

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🗓️ Event Itinerary

PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change based on local health regulations. A final, more detailed itinerary will be emailed to all registered attendees closer to the event date.

There is limited capacity for this event. Registration will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Deposits must be paid in order to be confirmed. 

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26TH: Travel Day

  • Depart from your gateway airport on a wide-bodied jet for LONDON, ENGLAND!
  • Fly overnight with a Varsity Spirit Staff Member, other All Americans and families, and enjoy dinner, beverages and on-board entertainment.
  • Enjoy a good night’s sleep and a little breakfast before touching down at one of London’s major airports.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27TH : Arrive to London, England!

  • Once off the aircraft, pass through customs and immigration before being met by a London Parade Representative.
  • Make the short journey into central London by luxury motor coach to The Tower Hotel.
  • Upon arrival at the hotel, check into your room and get settled for the week ahead.
  • Adventure out into London. Dinner this evening will be served in the hotel.

 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28TH: Guided Tour of London and Show!

  • Gather by bus groups this morning for a GUIDED TOUR of the greatest capital city in the world!
  • During the day, see such places as BUCKINGHAM PALACE (home to King Charles III), the TOWER OF LONDON, ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL (one of the world’s most impressive cathedrals), WESTMINSTER ABBEY (England’s most important ecclesiastical building and scene of the royal wedding of William & Kate), BIG BEN, and the HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT (the country’s political heart).
  • Throughout the week, enjoy four optional GUIDED AUDIO WALKING TOURS for a firsthand look at some of London’s most magnificent sites. Take advantage of them all!
  • Dinner will be served in your hotel.
  • Depart by bus for London’s West End to enjoy Wicked!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29TH:  Tower of London

  • Today, you will visit the Tower of London to tour the magnificent grounds and prepare to be dazzled by the breathtaking, world-famous collection of 23,578 gemstones in the Crown Jewels.
  • Receive a London Transport Day Oyster Card for use on the extensive underground network. Follow a unique itinerary for the day and take “the tube” to visit various London landmarks!
  • Use your meal card to dine in various popular London restaurants.
  • Parade rehearsal this evening.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30TH:  Tour of Windsor Castle

  • This day’s guided tour takes you out of the capital towards the west to one of England’s greatest and most historic cities— WINDSOR.
  • This city has been home to a ROYAL PALACE for over 900 years. Although still used by the royal family, parts of the palace are open to the public, and you will be able to see some of the chapels, the State Apartments, and even Queen Mary’s Doll House– all within the castle walls!
  • Upon your return to London, you will dine with your meal card and enjoy a free evening in London!

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31ST: Happy New Year’s Eve!

  • Another chance to EXPLORE LONDON! Continue to use your Oyster Card.
  • Check your London Parade Welcome Pack for details of many more places of interest, like the TATE GALLERY or COVENT GARDEN!
  • Use your meal card for dinner in central London to experience a unique British dish!
  • Ring in the New Year with a private party before turning in for the night. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1ST: Parade Day!

  • Rise and shine for the London NEW YEAR’S PARADE!
  • Upon departing the hotel for the parade assembly area, the day will begin with the Official London Parade photo! Your performance group will have a professional photograph taken in performance uniform, with a major London landmark as an iconic backdrop.
  • Perform alongside 10,000 participants before a street side audience of more than one million, and via television, a total audience of more than 20 million around the world! Celebrate with all of London, as you cheer and dance your way past BERKELEY SQUARE, BIG BEN, DOWNING STREET, TRAFALGAR SQUARE, PICCADILLY CIRCUS, and THE RITZ HOTEL.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2ND: Depart home from London!

  • With your belongings and memories all packed, it’s time to board your motor coach and head to the airport for your return flight to the U.S.
  • During the daytime flight home you will be served lunch shortly after take-off and afternoon tea shortly before arrival.
  • Complimentary refreshments and inflight entertainment will also be provided as you travel home in comfort following what will have been an extraordinary week on the London Varsity Spirit All-American Tour

🏷️ Tour Package Pricing

CLICK HERE for 2025 London New Year’s Day Pricing Information

TOUR COST, RESERVATIONS & PAYMENTS: The total number accepted for the tour is limited. Completed reservation application and $900.00 (non-refundable) per person deposit MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE VARSITY SPIRIT LLC OFFICE on or before the dates listed below: (This deposit is credited towards your total cost.)

HOW DOES PRICING WORK? All prices listed on the pricing sheet are per person. There will be a fee of $900 for a single room request.

PAYMENT DEADLINES: $900 per person deposit due by the following dates below.*

  • If you attended camp in June, your deposit is due on July 11, 2024.
  • If you attended camp in July, your deposit is due on August 15, 2024.
  • If you attended camp in August, your deposit is due on September 6, 2024.

SECOND PAYMENT OF $1,200 PER PERSON IS DUE ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 25, 2024.

FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE IN THE VARSITY SPIRIT LLC OFFICE ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 15 2024. UNIFORMS WILL NOT BE SHIPPED UNTIL THE BALANCE OF PAYMENT IS MADE.

*Trips may sell out prior to deadlines. Registrations are taken on a first come, first served basis with deposits. After September 14, please call the Varsity Spirit LLC office for availability at 800-238-0286 (option 2) for availability. 

Cancellations on or before September 24, 2024 will receive a full refund except for the $500 of your deposit. For cancellations between September 25, 2024 and October 14, 2024 an additional $1000 per person penalty will apply.  After October 15, 2024 there will be no refunds.

CHAPERONES: EACH All-American MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE ADULT CHAPERONE. However, if there is more than one All-American attending from your school, you may have one chaperone for up to two All-Americans and must all room together. Adult Chaperones must be 21 years of age or older. Varsity Spirit LLC is not responsible for supervising the All-Americans.

SPECTATORS: In addition to below, spectators will receive the following items:

  • Grandstand seat for the New Years Day Parade
  • New Year’s Day brunch at the hotel
Included with Cost of Trip NOT Included with Cost of Trip
Participation in the 39th London New Years Day Parade Round trip airfare from hometown to USA gateway city (if applicable)
Round Trip economy air travel from your USA gateway to a major London airport Money for any souvenirs and extra purchases beyond what is included in cost of trip
Round trip motorcoach transfers from your London airport to the hotel Meals outside of what is included with the tour package
Six (6) nights of accommodation at a four star hotel
Enhanced continental buffet breakfast served each day in London (6 breakfast meals total)
Two (2) Hotel Dinners
Four (4) dinners through meal cards that can be used throughout London
Card to access the London ‘tube’ system
All-American Uniform
Souvenir T-Shirt for All-American and spectators
Pre-packed snack for performers on parade day
Educational guided tour of London’s West End and City ‘Changing of the Guard’ at Buckingham Palace
One (1) admission ticket to the Tower of London – including the Crown Jewels
Excursion to Windsor with a professional tour guide, transportation and entrance into Windsor Castle
Link to download historical walking tours of London. Including Parade Route guide, Rock and Roll Capital and Explore the Southbank.
Admission ticket to an evening performance of a West End musical at a London Theatre.
Exclusive New Year’s Eve Celebration at hotel
New Year’s Day brunch for parents & spectators
Digital copy of group photo taken on New Year’s Day
2025 London New Year’s Day Parade medal for all parade performers
Access code to a Vimeo download of full parade
All tips and taxes to service providers

TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN:

To help protect your travel investment, we have partnered with Trip Mate to provide an optional Travel Protection Plan for your trip. The Travel Protection Plan includes coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Missed Connection, Baggage Delay and more.

The optional Travel Protection plan, must be added to your reservation within 2 weeks of registering for the event and must be paid in full with your deposit.

For additional information on the Travel Protection plan, please visit www.tripmate.com/ wpF440V.

Travel Protection for London is based on the gateway city. The per person cost can be found below.

Gateway City                                     Travel Protection Plan Cost*

Atlanta                                                 $325.00

Austin                                                  $297.00

Chicago                                               $299.00

Dallas                                                  $335.00

Denver                                                $314.00

Houston                                              $297.00

Kansas City                                         $325.00

Los Angeles                                        $300.00

Newark                                                $284.00

New Orleans                                       $335.00

New York JFK                                     $283.00

Orlando                                               $297.00

Phoenix                                               $314.00

San Francisco                                     $300.00

Seattle                                                 $297.00

Washington DC                                  $288.00

For additional information on the Travel Protection plan, please visit https://www.tripmate.com/wpF440V.

Please see important disclosures https://www.tripmate.com/main/consumer-disclosures/

This advertisement contains highlights of the plans developed by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, which include travel insurance coverages underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, Principal Office located in Morristown, New Jersey, under form series T7000 et al, T210 et al and TP-401 et al, and non-insurance Travel Assistance Services provided by Generali Global Assistance and FootprintID. The terms of insurance coverages in the plans may vary by jurisdiction and not all insurance coverages are available in all jurisdictions. Insurance coverages in these plans are subject to terms, limitations and exclusions including an exclusion for pre-existing medical conditions. In most states, your travel retailer is not a licensed insurance producer/agent, and is not qualified or authorized to answer technical questions about the terms, benefits, exclusions and conditions of the insurance offered or to evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance coverage. Your travel retailer may be compensated for the purchase of a plan and may provide general information about the plans offered, including a description of the coverage and price. The purchase of travel insurance is not required in order to purchase any other product or service from your travel retailer. CA DOI toll free number is 800-927-4357. The cost of your plan is for the entire plan, which consists of both insurance and non-insurance components. Individuals looking to obtain additional information regarding the features and pricing of each travel plan component, please contact Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand; P.O. Box 527, Hazelwood, MO 63042; 1-833-297-2255; assistancefees@tripmate.com. We are licensed in all states. While Trip Mate markets the travel insurance in these plans on behalf of USF, non-insurance components of the plans were added to the plans by Trip Mate, and Trip Mate does not receive compensation from USF for providing the non-insurance components of the plans.

🧾 Event Registration

Event Registration – NOW CLOSED.

Registration Specialist:

Please do not email credit card information. After your registration is received and entered, you will receive a confirmation via email. Please allow 10-14 business days for it to be entered. Once you receive the confirmation email, you may contact the Varsity office at 800-238-0286 to make a credit card payment. Registration will not be complete until payment is received.

Registration will not be complete until payment is received. 

✈️ Travel Planning

Roundtrip airfare from a USA gateway city to a London airport is included in the cost of the tour.

Round trip airfare from your hometown to a gateway city is not included in the cost of the tour and will be the responsibility of the attendees.

Below are this year’s list of gateway cities:

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Austin, TX
  • Chicago, IL
  • Denver, CO
  • Dallas, TX
  • Houston, TX
  • New York City, NY
  • Kansas City, MO
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Newark, NJ
  • Orlando, FL
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • San Francisco, CA
  • Seattle, WA
  • Washington DC

*Gateway cities are subject to change and availability.

Airfare from your hometown to your selected gateway city is not included in the cost of the trip and will be the responsibility of the attendee.

CLICK HERE to view our travel partners and airline discounts that are available!

👕Uniform Information

Female athletes will receive a uniform top, skirt, briefs, pullover and poms, Male athletes will receive a uniform top, pants and a pullover.

All participants will need to bring white tennis shoes and white socks. Uniforms will be shipped two weeks prior to the event.

CLICK HERE to view the London New Year’s Day Parade Uniform Fit Guide.

Not sure what size to order? Watch our Uniform Measurement Guide to find out:

📝 Important Forms

CLICK HERE to download the 2024 Event Release Waiver.

  • Please print, fill out and bring with you to London!

CLICK HERE to view 2025 London New Year’s Day Parade Terms and Conditions.

Press Release

CLICK HERE to view the event press release template!

💲 Fundraising

CLICK HERE to view more information about Varsity Spirit’s fundraising partners!

Experience the Moment