Celebrate Edinburgh Hogmanay

15 December 2022|Read time 2 mins

One of the world’s most renowned New Year’s celebrations, Edinburgh is THE place to visit for Hogmanay...

What better place in the world than Edinburgh to say hello to the New Year?

With its spectacular architecture, famous midnight fireworks and street party excitement, the city is the perfect backdrop to spectacular New Year’s celebrations.

Celebrate Hogmanay in Edinburgh

One of the world’s most renowned New Year’s celebrations, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay boasts a range of events, which include a torchlight procession through the Old Town, Concert in the Gardens, The Candlelit Concert, a general all-round festive atmosphere, Fireworks, and not forgetting the dramatic Castle backdrop.

And the good news is, a large number of the events are free!

Other attractions will feature dance, art, conversation, street theatre, light and fire... lots of fire.

Which, of course, can only be good news in the cold, dark Edinburgh days of December and January, when we need all the light and warmth we can get.

For many years Hogmanay was a bigger event in Edinburgh than Christmas – and to some extent that influence lives on, making New Year an extra-special celebration.

The days of Hogmanay street parties when anyone and everyone could – and did – crush onto the streets on the night of 31 December have long gone, however, with better crowd control, ticketing and a big police presence nowadays.

But all of the old fun remains. Hogmanay in Edinburgh is the time to let your hair down and party.

Where is the Hogmanay street party in Edinburgh?

The most famous event is New Year’s Eve’s boisterous Hogmanay Street Party on the main thoroughfare of Princes Street where tens of thousands of revellers jam into the city centre to see in the New Year. 

With top names performing at the party you are sure to have a fantastic time celebrating with friends and family.

Concert in the Gardens

The main event for music in the country on Hogmanay, The Concert in the Gardens has in the past featured the likes of Paolo Nutini, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man & The Pet Shop Boys.

With a spectacular setting underneath Edinburgh Castle, West Princes Street Gardens offers the best spot to enjoy great music and welcome in the New Year.

East Princes Street Gardens, meanwhile, continues to host the amazing Edinburgh Christmas markets throughout the Hogmanay period, into the first week of January.

Festival Ceilidhs

If you fancy a slightly more traditional Scottish Hogmanay, then why not get a ticket to the Festival Ceilidhs, taking place at the Assembly Rooms?

Don't panic if you don't know any steps as there will be a caller to guide you through the evening.

Edinburgh Torchlight Procession

We’re particularly looking forward to the torchlight procession down the Royal Mile, a pagan tradition which continues today.

Over 25,000 attended the event in 2018, including 17,000 torch carriers, who helped create a river of fire through Edinburgh’s city centre from the historic Royal Mile to the finale in Holyrood Park.

Spectators at the event are welcome for free (it’s unticketed), but organisers remind viewers that everyone needs to wrap up warm and not stand in front of the procession to take photos.

The procession usually begins in The Old Town and ends with torchbearers forming the outline of Scotland in Holyrood Park (also free and unticketed).

New Year's Day in Edinburgh

The Hogmanay party continues on New Year's Day when people brave the  'Loony Dook', a quick swim in the Firth of Forth!

Other concerts and events continue on 1st January, marking the first day of another fantastic year in Edinburgh.

Book a Hogmanay trip with Reserve Apartments

Reserve Apartments have a wide range of city centre self-catering properties for your Hogmanay trip to Edinburgh

View our portfolio and book today - we look forward to welcoming you!