Edinburgh's Hogmanay is dominated by its world-famous Street Party, when a hundred thousand revellers descend on Princes Street for a night of live music and general bonhomie. Whether or not you're at the party, you can't miss the Seven Hills Fireworks, which see in the New Year in classic Edinburgh style. But not all the action's outdoors. Of the hundreds of private parties across the city on Hogmanay, the upmarket Hoog stands out as a favourite, while a more reflective take on the calendar rollover is offered by the Candlelit Concert at St Giles'. And in the excitement surrounding the big day, don't overlook the events leading up to Hogmanay. On 29 December, the pretty Torchlit Procession is popular with families and a great way to get back into the festive mood. Then, the next day, you can warm up for the big party with a trip to the The Dancin'. If you're a veteran of Edinburgh's Hogmanay season, watch out for one important change - this year's 30 December ("Night Afore") event has relocated from George Street to the Grassmarket.
|
 31 December. Entertainment starts 10pm. No admission after 11pm
Princes Street and surrounding area Options from £10 to £42.50. Details below. No admission without a pre-booked ticket Ticket news, updated 29 December: The cheaper basic passes and "Party Plus" packs are now sold out, but you can still get in with a ticket for the Concert in the Gardens, Ceilidh in the Gardens or new event Boogie Wonderland. The best-known of Edinburgh's Hogmanay events, a trip to the Street Party is a rite of passage for party-goers around the world. Since its quiet beginnings in the early 90's, the event's grown to accommodate almost 100,000 revellers, all packing into the environs of Princes Street right in the centre of town. |
|
Read more...
|
Main event: 31 December. Doors open 7pm, music starts 7:30pm. Carriages 2am.
Family event: 30 December. Doors open 6:15pm, music 7pm - 10pm. The Assembly Rooms, George Street Main event: £52.50 per person
Family event: £40 for a family of 4 / £45 for a family of 5 Ticket news, updated 29 December: Tickets are still available for the main event on Hogmanay. The family event on 30 December is now sold out. For a barnstorming party the weather definitely can't spoil, look no further than the Hoog, the celebrated Hogmanay ceilidh held in the splendour of the city-centre Assembly Rooms. For many years this party was known as the New Year Revels: it's back in 2008 with a new name, a perkier image, and a new family event the night before. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 Fireworks launched over Edinburgh Castle On the stroke of New Year Free and non-ticketed. Just turn up! Whether or not you're mixing it at the street party, you'll want to be out of doors on the stroke of midnight to take in the fireworks from the Seven Hills. Edinburgh's a city addicted to pyrotechnics, so it's no surprise to see the New Year welcomed with a bang - as synchronized displays are launched from hilltops around the city. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 The magnificent 1992 pipe organ at St Giles' 31 December, 7:30pm to 9pm St Giles' Cathedral, High Street Ticket news, updated 29 December: Tickets are still available. A far more serene lead-in to the New Year is offered at St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile, through its annual Candlelit Concert of classical music. Held early in the evening, before the city-centre revels get underway, the quality programme is perfectly matched by the atmospheric surroundings of the Church of Scotland's High Kirk. |
|
Read more...
|
|
 29 December. Assemble at 6pm, procession leaves 6:30pm
Assemble at Parliament Square (by St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile) and parade to Calton Hill (near the east end of Princes Street) Free and non-ticketed. Just turn up! Torches £5, advance booking recommended. Big-hearted, kid-friendly and tinged with just a hint of pyromania, the 29th December Torchlit Procession is a highlight of Edinburgh's Hogmanay. In the city's homage to Shetland's Up Helly Aa, a posse of modern-day Vikings parades a replica longboat through the streets of Edinburgh - then spectacularly sets it alight on top of Calton Hill. |
|
Read more...
|
|
Free and non-ticketed. Just turn up! A brand-new curtain-raiser for the Princes Street revels, oddly-named party The Dancin' camps out on 30th December down in the valley of the Grassmarket. Just like the main event the following day, it promises to be a crowded and exuberant occasion, spread over a number of stages and lasting for hours. Unlike the big party... it's completely free. Replacing previous years' Night Afore celebrations on George Street, we can't be sure exactly what to expect from the new event - but, as it's a collaboration with the much-respected Dance Base centre, a quality experience is all but guaranteed. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Christmas and Hogmanay 
