8 Reasons Why Hogmanay in Edinburgh is the Best!
Whether you call it New Year’s Eve, Hogmanay, or Auld Years Night, Edinburgh is the place to be to celebrate it! From Edinburgh’s renowned Street Party to the serene Candlelit Concert, Edinburgh comes alive with celebrations, fireworks, and parties. Below you’ll find our curated list of events happening on Hogmanay and New Year’s Day, which we’re very sure will entice you to experience Hogmanay in Edinburgh for yourself. If that’s the case, we still have a few wonderful homes available over the New Year period, click here to browse for yourself.
1. Torchlight Procession
- When: 30th of December
- Where: Edinburgh City Centre
- Website: www.edinburghshogmanay.com/whats-on/torchlight-procession
As in previous years, the 2017 Torchlight Procession opens Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations. The Torchlight Procession has previously been referred to as the “river of fire”, due to the effect it creates. Last year, around 30,000 people come out for the event. This year, upon arrival at Holyrood Park, the torches will spell out a word, #ScotWord.
Photo Credit: Edinburgh Hogmanay
2. Prestonfield Hogmanay Ball
- When: 31st of December
- Where: Prestonfield House
- Website: www.prestonfield.com/2017-festive-brochure
Fancy celebrating the New Year in grandeur? Well, the Prestonfield Hogmanay Ball may be the perfect event for you. The ball will be held at Prestonfield’s Stables Ballroom, include a Champagne reception and a decadent four-course dinner, while a ceilidh band keeps you dancing all night, followed by a disco after midnight. But, be sure to book early!
Photo Credit: Prestonfield House Facebook
3. Concert in the Gardens
- When: 31st of December
- Where: West Princes Street Gardens
- Website: www.edinburghshogmanay.com/concert-in-the-gardens
Over the years, the Concert in the Gardens has seen various famous faces grace its stage as the headline act, and this year Rag’n’Bone Man – who’s song “Human” achieved chart success earlier this year – will have the honour. As well as the concert, you’ll have a spectacular view of the fireworks with Edinburgh Castle as a backdrop!
Photo Credit: Visit Britain
4. Street Party
- When: 31st of December
- Where: Edinburgh City Centre
- Website: www.edinburghshogmanay.com/street-party
Join both locals and visitors from around the world to bring in the New Year at one of the world’s biggest and best outdoor parties. Your ticket will give you access to various stages to enjoy live music and DJs, street performers, dancers, acrobats, plus access to an extensive range of outdoor bars and street food throughout the arena. Culminating with a fabulous fireworks display from Edinburgh Castle.
5. Candlelit Concert
- When: 31st of December
- Where: St Giles Cathedral
- Website: www.edinburghshogmanay.com/whats-on/candlelit-concert
This is a magical event you will not want to miss! The annual Candlelit Concert features JS Bach’s Lutheran Mass in F BWV 233, which brings a close to the Reformation’s 500th anniversary year. The concert will also feature the world-renowned, Austrian Rieger organ heard in Handel’s Organ Concerto Op 4 No 2 in B flat played by Peter Backhouse, with the concert concluding in a showpiece finale of Handel’s Dixit Dominus.
6. Ceilidh Under the Castle
- When: 31st of December
- Where: West Princes Street Gardens
- Website: www.edinburghshogmanay.com/ceilidh-under-the-castle
At the foot of Castle Rock, in the shadow of Edinburgh’s iconic castle, dance the night away at a traditional Scottish ceilidh. Join hands with old friends and new to dance in the New Year with a full ceilidh band and plenty of local food and drink to keep you spinning all night.
7. Loony Dook
- When: 1st of January 2018
- Where: South Queensferry
- Website: www.edinburghshogmanay.com/whats-on/loony-dook1
An albeit odd but fun post-Hogmanay tradition, the Loony Dook began on the 1st of January 1987 and has been going strong ever since. The Loony Dook consists of dressing up and running into the waters of the Firth of Forth to raise money for charity. So, get 2018 off to a fresh start with a bracing New Year’s Day dip in the freezing River Forth!
Photo Credit: Welcome to Scotland, Lloyd Smith
8. SCO: New Year Gala ’18
- When: 1st of January 2018
- Where: Usher Hall
- Website: www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on/sco-new-year-gala-18
Lastly, brush off the Christmas festivities and start 2018 the way you mean to go on, with great music and good company! With a sporting twist to this year’s programme, conductor and violinist Joseph Swensen will have you galloping through classical music’s finest waltzes and polkas. There’s also a touch of romance with Kreisler’s gorgeous love songs.
Featured Self Catering Apartment – 42B North Castle Street
Have we convinced you Edinburgh is the best place to celebrate the New Year? Well, if so, here’s a beautiful home for you to stay in, located just 100 m from George Street, so you’ll be at the heart of the festivities and have a brilliant view of the fireworks! Luxury is an often overused word – but it is THE word to describe this beautiful home. It is truly luxurious – both in terms of the ambiance, the location, the sense of space and the quality of the furnishings and linens. Guests are going to have a great stay here and you have a sense of the luxury as soon as you open the front door.
Browse the rest of our self catering homes in Edinburgh here!
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