Edinburgh’s Hogmanay – Time To Party!
Organisers have announced full details of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay – reputedly the best New Year’s party on the planet!
The three-day Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival takes place from December 30, 2015 to January 1, 2016 and is a key part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals celebrations.
The celebrations launch on December 30 with the family-friendly Torchlight Procession, when 10,000 torchbearers will wind their way through streets lined with tens of thousands of spectators towards the finale of the Son et Lumière display on Calton Hill.
An exhilarating party soundtrack
On December 31 , the musical line-up across the seven stages in the centre of the city promises to deliver an exhilarating party soundtrack for the anticipated 75,000 revellers. The flagship Concert in the Gardens (which sold out in a record 10 days) features headliners Biffy Clyro, who are joined by very special guests Idlewild and Honeyblood for a very strong all-Scottish line-up.
There’s a new look to the world famous Street Party with an additional stage and screens, expanded entertainment zones and dedicated ‘Food & Drink Villages’.
The best in traditional Scottish music
A new event for 2016 sees the annual sell-out ‘Keilidh’ move into its own exclusive outdoor arena on the Royal Mile to become ‘The Old Town Ceilidh’. Two live stages will feature the best in traditional Scottish music with performances from Cask Strength Ceilidh Band, Whisky Kiss, Ceilidhdonia and Sporran Again, with ‘Ceilidh Makers’ on hand to make sure everyone knows the moves.
At 11.00pm, there will be an to attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the ‘World’s Longest Strip the Willow’ – those wishing to participate a kilt, tartan trews or a sash.
The spectacular Midnight Moment
New Year revellers across Edinburgh and beyond will enjoy a feast of fireworks with countdown displays on the hour from 9.00pm, rising to the crescendo of the spectacular Midnight Moment as the fireworks lift from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill. The fireworks will be followed by the world’s largest rendition of Auld Lang Syne as old friends and new join hands across the arena to sing Burns’ New Year anthem.
On New Year’s Day, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay presents Scot:Lands – incredible new worlds hidden in beautiful buildings and outdoor spaces in the city’s Old Town, where audiences can discover the very best in music, art and theatre – all free.
‘Nowhere in the world ‘celebrates New Year like the Scots’
“There is nowhere in the world that celebrates New Year like the Scots,” said The Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop. “As the bells strike midnight, the eyes of the world turn to Edinburgh and Scotland and I warmly invite people from near and far to visit and join the celebrations.”
‘A grand celebration’
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events added: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is an incredibly important occasion for Scotland, helping to promote our reputation as the perfect stage for events and Edinburgh as the world’s leading festival city to a global audience.
“The festival continues to grow each year and the 2015/16 programme of events looks set to be the strongest yet, with more than 150,000 visitors expected to take to the streets of the capital over the course of three days.
“I can think of no better way to welcome in the New Year than what is sure to be a grand celebration of Scotland’s rich cultural heritage, supported by some of our finest performers and artists.”
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- Blazing torches are carried to the top of Calton Hill in the Torchlight Procession. Photo by Lloyd Smith
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- The Street Party’s in full swing as the Hogmanay Celebrations light up Edinburgh! Photo by Chris Watt
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- Fireworks add even more sparkle and noise to Edunburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations. Photo by Lloyd Smith
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- As the clock chimes 12, the fireworks begin. Photo by Lloyd Smith THIS IMAGE CAN NOT BE SOLD TO A THIRD PARTY
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- Just what you need the morning after the Hogmanay before – Stoats Loony Dook at Queensferry!
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- Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2015
Key Facts
- Tickets for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens are already sold-out.
- Tickets for the world famous Street Party (£25, including booking fee), The Old Town Ceilidh (£45, including Booking Fee), and pre-booked Torches for the Torchlight Procession (£10) are on sale here now.
- Early bird tickets for EH postcode residents are still available at £19 (including booking fee).
Calling All Dookers!
On January 1, 2016 the ‘Stoats Loony Dook’ celebrates its 30th anniversary, with 1,250 ‘Dookers’ in fancy dress welcoming the New Year with a dip in the River Forth at South Queensferry.
To register, click here. (£10 including booking fee and 10% donation to the South Queensferry branch of the RNLI).
