Edinburgh's Hogmanay

Four days of New Year in Edinburgh, from the torchlight procession to fireworks over the castle.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay runs from 29 December to 1 January. It opens at 18:30 on 29 December with the Torchlight Procession, which sets off from the Meadows and winds through the Old Town behind massed pipes and drums and Vikings from Shetland's Up Helly Aa. Watching is free; walking in it needs a torch ticket. On 30 December The Fratellis play the Night Afore Party in West Princes Street Gardens. On 31 December, 45,000 ticket holders fill Princes Street for the Street Party from 20:00, with live music, DJs and the midnight fireworks over the castle, while Underworld headline Hogmanay in the Gardens. New Year's Day brings free First Footin' performances in venues across the city. Buy tickets only from the official site, Ticketmaster or Tickets Scotland, and book a room well before December.