New Year's Eve revellers have been warned that they face freezing temperatures when they see in 2009.

Hundreds are expected at Belfast’s biggest New Year’s Eve party - headlined by Supergrass at the City Hall.

Nearly 400,000 people are expected to take to the streets of London ahead of a midnight fireworks display centred on the London Eye. Similar outdoor events in Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh should also prove popular.

But weather forecasters believe temperatures could fall to -5C.

The Met Office said an extended period of cold and settled weather lasting for the next fortnight will follow the chilliest start to winter in more than 30 years. The first 13 days of December were the coldest since 1976: temperatures averaged 1.7C – three degrees lower than the long-term trend.

Stephen Holman, senior Met Office forecaster, said: "By midnight on New Year's Eve it will definitely feel very cold. I would advise people to wrap up warm. The temperatures will stay colder than average for the first two weeks of January." The AA asked motorists to bring warm clothing, blankets, food supplies and a torch on long journeys.

Event organisers said they did not expect the freezing conditions to dissuade revellers. Tickets for Hogmanay in Glasgow and Edinburgh, where outdoor events were cancelled two years ago because of high winds and torrential rain, have sold out.

But the popularity of free events is not being matched by demand for setpiece parties. Tickets were still available yesterday for high-profile events including Sir Elton John's concert at the O2 arena in Greenwich, London. Tables were available for the Dorchester Hotel's six-course dinner with live music and dancing (£320 a head).

This year's celebrations in London may be the last with a free New Year's Eve fireworks display. London's Mayor, Boris Johnson, confirmed that he is considering the introduction of ticketing to bring increased "sustainability" to the £1.6m show. "The planning, management and financing of the event remains a challenge, due to the large numbers of people wishing to attend the fireworks and the limited [180,000] capacity of the viewing areas," said Mr Johnson. "Only 40 per cent of the event budget is spent on the actual fireworks and lighting displays. The remainder is spent on crowd management.

"We are considering a number of options, which may include ticketing, all of which will ensure the sustainability of future New Year's Eve celebrations."

A survey for National Savings & Investments found that 76 per cent of people will either celebrate tonight by staying in – or only going out to a free event. The poll of 2,000 adults found just 15 per cent of revellers were prepared to pay as much as it took to enable them to go to the best restaurant, club or bar.

Hoteliers in London and Scotland said an influx of European travellers drawn by the fall of the pound against the euro was helping to boost revenues.

Belfast celebrations

Belfast’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, will be headlined by Supergrass, at the City Hall.

Three of Northern Ireland’s hottest young bands — General Fiasco, Fighting With Wire and Universal Remedy — will be joining in the fun, along with up-and-coming rockers, The Pigeon Detectives. Tickets for the event cost £5.

Gaz Coombes, Mick Quinn, Danny Goffey and Rob Coombes — collectively known as Supergrass — are the band behind hits such as ‘Alright’, ‘Going Out’ and ‘Pumping on your Stereo’.

The Pigeon Detectives, meanwhile, have also been making waves in the music scene, building up a steady fan base thanks to appearances on the festival circuit and being championed by the likes of DJs Steve Lamacq and Jo Whiley.

No stranger to winning over music fans are homegrown talents General Fiasco and Fighting With Wire. Both bands were part of this year’s Belsonic line-up and are being tipped as the next big thing.

The event will be compered by local TV and radio presenter Ralph McLean.

Gates will open at 7pm with Cool FM’s Olga getting everyone in the party mood. The concert will finish at 12.20am.

New Year's Eve: Free events in UK

London

Midnight: After Big Ben, fireworks over London Eye. Screens in Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square relay the event live. Free public transport until 4.30am.

Manchester

Midnight: Ten minutes of fireworks next to big wheel in Exchange Square.

Birmingham

Midnight: Fireworks display in Centenary Square.

Cardiff

From 7.30pm: Free concert in Civic Centre with ex-X Factor contestant Andy Abraham singing in new year.

Newcastle

Midnight: Fireworks display in Foreshore Park.