If you’re starting to think about plans for your New Year celebrations, then look no further. Here is all you need to know about Edinburgh New Year for 2023/4
Edinburgh New Year’s Eve is know as Hogmanay
If you’re dreaming of a truly magical start to your new year, look no further than the world-famous Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations. The Scottish capital transforms into a winter wonderland over the Christmas and New Year period and The Hogmanay Street Party offers the perfect opportunity to kick off your year with an unforgettable adventure. It’s the only festival listed in the Discovery Channel’s Top 25 World Travel Experiences and truly is a once in a lifetime event.
Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party
Come New Year’s Eve, or Hogmanay, as it is known in Scotland, Edinburgh Christmas Market gives way to the biggest street party in Scotland. The heart of the celebration lies on Princes Street, where the Hogmanay Street Party comes to life.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party is famous across the world for the scale of it’s celebrations. It’s an unforgettable way to ring in the New Year. Join the lively crowds, enjoy live music, and catch the spectacular fireworks display lighting up the skies over Edinburgh Castle.
Hogmanay Celebrations
Edinburgh Hogmanay 2023 boasts an impressive lineup of artists and bands across various genres. From indie to rock, there’s something for everyone. The street performances add to the electrifying atmosphere, turning the entire city into a stage. There is a whole host of events to choose from on for Hogmanay itself, but the entire event takes place over an incredible 4 days.
Torchlight Procession
Kick off your Hogmanay experience with the Torchlight Procession, a dazzling spectacle of light and camaraderie. The annual torchlight procession takes place on Friday 29th December. The celebrations begin in the Meadows at 6.00pm, the parade leaves at 7.30pm and arrives in the city centre for 8.30 – 9pm.
Live Street Theatre, Fire Performers, Pipe Bands, and Drummers will provide entertainment to kickstart the celebrations. The procession, led by the Vikings from Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad, will create a stunning river of fire through the capital’s historic Old Town. You must have booked beforehand. The cost is £20 per torch and £7.50 for a wristband (only available if you have bought a torch). Even if you don’t join in by carrying, go watch the procession; 20,000 torches is a sight you’ll never forget.
The event raises money for Social Bite. Last year it raised £50,000 for projects in Edinburgh and across Scotland.
The Night Afore
The Night Afore
The night afore gives you the option of a massive disco party in West Princes Street Gardens with Internationally renound band – Bjorn Again. Tickets cost £35 and can be bought here.
Or, alternatively, you might prefer to join the crowd in the Assembly Rooms for an evening with Ross Wilson. Ross Wilson, aka Blue Rose Code writes songs straight from – and to – the heart. They address universal themes of love, loss, home and faith in a deeply personal way, as they seamlessly blend folk, Americana, jazz, soul and pop influences into something truly unique.
Ross, a magnetic performer with a profound love for connecting with his audience, has firmly established himself and Blue Rose Code as one of Scotland’s most uplifting and powerful live acts. Throughout the evening celebrations, Ross will be joined by some special guest stars.
Ross will be joined by some special guest stars during the evening celebrations. Tickets are £30 and can be bought here.
Edinburgh Hogmanay Night
Pulp are presiding over this year’s Hogmanay celebrations. You can see them at Concert in the Gardens, which take place in West Princes Street Gardens. Pulp’s headline appearance at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay marks the Sheffield band’s first live show in the capital for over 20 years, where they will perform the last show of 2023 and first of 2024, bringing in the bells beneath the majestic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. As of this date, support acts are still to be announced, but I will update as that info is released. You can keep up-to-date on all the latest info about the Hogmanay celebrations by clicking here.
This year is the 30th birthday celebrations for the Hogmanay Street party! This makes me feel really old as I remember very clearly being at the 1st few years! The atmosphere in the crowd is incredible. The fireworks are always outstanding. Even if you can’t get tickets into the garden enclosure, you can still hear the music along the street and see the action on the big screens brought in for the event.
There are still tickets available for the street party, which begins at 9pm on the 31st. Click here to get one before they sell out! Cost £28.50 per ticket.
Other Options
On top of the Main headliners in the Concert in the Gardens, you can also choose between:
Tartan Zone
Tartan Zone, on the Waverly Bridge. Here you can get down with your Ceildhi. The opening act, the Hannah Fisher Band, will give us an exhilarating hour of ceilidh dancing. This will be followed by other Scottish bands to keep you entertained all night long. Or you might prefer the Silent Disco Street Party.
Disco Zone
The Disco Zone is where you can join 4,000 others in a silent disco boogie. The music will celebrate the bands that have played over the last 30 years at our Hogmanay celebrations, along with floor filler tunes from a variety of DJ’s.
Elsewhere across the city centre there will be street entertainment, drummers and pipers, funfair rides, food and drink stalls, all culminating in a carnival atmosphere you won’t want to miss.
Edinburgh Hogmanay Fireworks
Edinburgh Hogmanay Fireworks
As the clock strikes midnight, prepare to be awed by the world-famous Hogmanay fireworks from Edinburgh Castle. Find your perfect spot to watch the sky explode with color and light. The countdown is exhilarating, and the pyrotechnics are absolutely jaw-dropping. They are accompanied by a musical score, which lifts the experience to a whole other level. At this time it has not yet been revealed who is creating this years music for the event. Where else can you see such a display with the backdrop of a medieval castle?
If you don’t want to deal with the crowds and crush on Princes St and aren’t lucky enough to have a room overlooking the castle, there are other places in Edinburgh you can go to see the display from a distance.
Many people flock to Carlton Hill, as it’s walkable from anywhere in the town. Others walk up Salisbury Crags. If you want to be closer, the corner of George St and Castle is an excellent viewpoint, or on North Bridge, just above Waverly Station. You’ll need to get there early though, as many others will have the same idea.
First Footin’
First footin’ is the Scottish tradition of visitors bringing a gift as the New Year arrives, to bring luck to the household. Steeped in symbolism, a dark-haired visitor meant good luck. Conversely, a red-head first over the doorstep didn’t bode well for the coming year! Gifts generally took the form of a coin, shortbread or something edible, a lump of coal or wood for the fire and a drink of whisky. These represent prosperity, food, warmth and good cheer.
This year, new for 2023, Edinburgh Hogmanay introduces First Footin’ in the city. It will be an afternoon of free live music and performances taking place across the Old and New Town, in some of Edinburgh’s landmark pubs and other venues.
You can find which specific venues are participating in the new event through checking out the Edinburgh Hogmanany website. Venues include pubs in The Grassmarket, Greyfriars Hall, The Mound, Rose Street, Cowgate, and The Scottish Cafe at Scottish National Gallery.
First Footin’ audiences can extend their Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations for an extra day this year. They can enjoy Hogmanay traditions of friendship, food and drink along with live music from Scottish artists. The line-up includes singer-songwriter Callum Beattie, Roseanne Reid and more.
Even better entrance to these performance are unticketed and free!
Loony Dook
If you want to start your new year with a dip in the sea, then make your way out to South Queensferry on the morning of the 1st.
Called the Loony Dook because of the freezing cold North Sea water, you can join hundreds of others, many in fancy dress, taking a quick dip, or a ‘dook’ to refresh themselves after the excesses of the night before.
The event takes place in view of the famous Forth Road and Rail bridges, in South Queensferry, giving it a special Scottish flavour. You can easily get to South Queensferry by train from Waverly Market, or the number 43 bus, but be aware there will be a very limited service running on New Year’s Day.
Whilst this event is no longer officially part of Edinburgh Hogmanay, I can pretty much guarantee that there will still be some hardy locals and tourists heading out to partake in this crazy new year ritual! They’re all braver than me!
Accommodation
Hogmanay Accommodations Plan your stay in Edinburgh early, as accommodations fill up fast during this time. Staying central makes it easier to return to your accommodation, especially as taxis will be in great demand and public transport minimal on New Year’s Day. George Street is an expensive, but luxurious choice. Alternatively, EasyHotel on Princes St is a much more affordable option, with rooms with a view of Edinburgh Castle.
Got a little more time?
After Hogmanay – Exploring Edinburgh
Extend your Edinburgh adventure by exploring the city’s rich history, culture, and culinary delights. Museums, historic sites, and local dining experiences await.
If you are lucky enough to be able to extend your stay in Edinburgh past the Hogmanay celebrations, there are many things to do and see to keep you occupied, even in Winter.
If you’d like some inspiration I recommend that you check out some of my other blog posts on Edinburgh: How to Have the Perfect Edinburgh Weekend, The Perfect Edinburgh Itinerary to Make You Feel Like a Local or if you fancy heading out of the city to see more of what Scotland has to offer: 3 Great Days Trips from Edinburgh
Conclusion:
Edinburgh Hogmanay is a Memorable Start to the New Year
As the curtains close on the Edinburgh Hogmanay 2023 celebration, you’ll be left with cherished memories and a heart full of joy (and hopefully not a sore head!). This iconic event is a magical way to welcome the new year, you don’t want to miss it.
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