It’s official, Edinburgh Hogmanay is back with the iconic Street Party to welcome in 2024 with a bang in the city centre, including four days of celebrations. After being cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic, people from all around the world will be ecstatic to hear it is back on track and hosted by Unique Events and Assembly Festival who are also hosting Edinburgh’s Christmas.
Expect DJ soundtracks, giant screens, funfair attractions and a complete selection of street food & drink throughout the arena. What is more, the Torchlight Procession will be taking place for the first time since 2019, and is expecting to welcome 20,000 participants.
Torchlight Procession
The Torchlight Procession will be raising funds for the homelessness charity Social Bite, hoping to raise £50,000 for the worthy cause. Taking place on Friday, December 29, the procession will start at The Meadows at 7:30pm and will make its way to the city centre. Keep in mind that the start location is not the same as the previous years! Live entertainment will begin at 6pm at The Meadows before the procession starts.
The procession will begin at the Meadows for the first time ever, where guests will collect their torches while enjoying live street theatre, fire performers, pipe bands and drummers to officially kick off the Hogmanay celebrations.
Thousands of people with torches will embark on a new route up Middle Meadow Walk, crossing George IV Bridge and making their way along Johnston Terrace before reaching Castle Terrace beneath Edinburgh Castle.
Hogmanay Street Party
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party will welcome 40,000 visitors from around the world on December 31 with views over Edinburgh Castle, as well as traditional firework displays on the ground on West Princes Street, as well as live soundtracks, giant screens, Street Performers, Pipers, Drummers, funfair attractions, delicious street food & drink throughout the arena and a carnival-like feel.
Edinburgh Hogmanay welcomes the return of pyrotechnic wizards, Titanium, who once more, who will be designing noteworthy New Year firework displays, launched from the stunning setting of Edinburgh Castle for an unforgettable firework and light spectacle.
As usual, the first 5000 ticket purchases with an EH postcode will be discounted at £23.50, while the full price tickets come at £28.50. The tickets go on sale on October 18, so if you’re an Edinburgh resident and want to take advantage of the discount or are coming from further away, get the tickets here.
Edinburgh Hogmanay Line-Up
Hogmanay celebrations begin on December 29 with the torchlight procession, and The Night Afore Disco Party on December 30 where you can dance the night away at the family-friendly event. What is more, it was announced today (October 5) that internationally acclaimed ABBA sensations Björn Again will headline the Night Afore Disco Party beneath Edinburgh Castle, while the New Year’s Revels are making a triumphant return to the New Town Assembly Rooms.
Björn Again will be supported by the original sing-along live band Massaoke, celebrating 30 years of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, together with breakfast show presenter and DJ Ewen Cameron from Greatest Hits Radio, promising a spectacular sing-a-long
Organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay today announced that cultural icons Pulp will headline the 30th Anniversary Concert in the Gardens on Sunday, December 31, welcoming partygoers from around the globe to celebrate their way into 2024 at the world-famous New Year festival. Fronted by Jarvis Cocker, Concert in the Gardens promises hit-filled pop anthems including Common People, Disco 2000, and Do You Remember the First Time?.
Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker said: “When your grandkids ask “Do you remember the first time Pulp played Edinburgh’s Hogmanay?” What will your answer be? Come along & start 2024 in the very best way possible. Oh yes.”
December 31 will also see a candlelit concert at St Giles’ Cathedral is set to provide a festive celebration featuring soulful music for brass, choir and organ. As usual, January 1 will see Sprogmanay with a family-friendly programme, as well as First Footin’ with a free live music trail around the city.
New Year’s Day free programme
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has announced a packed programme of free events today (November 9), as First Footin’ and Sprogmanay is on for another year on New Year’s Day between 2pm and 8pm.
First Footin’
Visitors will be able to enjoy a full (and did we mention FREE?!) roster of music and live events in venues and city centre attractions throughout the Scottish capital’s Old and New Towns.
First Footin’ will feature some of Scotland’s “most beloved artists” alongside newcomers and some very special guests. Guests can rejoice in an afternoon of performance and guest collaborations from artists like Lau, Fergus McCreadie, Kathryn Joseph, Hot Chip (DJ set), Bemz, Cloth, Sean Shibe and much more on New Year’s Day.
On the afternoon of January 1, locals and tourists can embark on the First Footin’ culture trail, with live performances ranging from folk to rap, indie to classical, as well as more surprises. Some highlights of the said trail include folk trio Lau, who will be joined by cult singer-songwriter Kathryn Joseph for a New Year’s Day party at St Giles’ Cathedral, as well as a “special daytime club event” at Virgin Hotel with special guests Hot Chip (DJ Set) and other DJs.
Jazz fans can also enjoy award-winning jazz from Fergus McCreadie Trio and special guests Juliette Lemoine & Chris Amer at Greyfriars Kirk, while the more active folk can take part in an afternoon of ceilidh dancing with Mull’s Hannah Fisher Ceilidh Band at the Assembly Rooms Ballroom. Don’t worry, there are more spots on the trail too!
Sprogmanay
Little ones can also enjoy lively performances and things to do on New Year’s Day, with music performances from Unicorn Dance Party and Sprog Rock, arts and crafts, and the ‘Resolution Tree’, where “children are invited to write their hopes and ambitions for 2024 on a star”. Plus, the Sprogmanay Family Ceilidh hosted by the Fruin Ceilidh Band at Assembly Roxy is set to get everyone on their feet.
To view the full programme and book your tickets, you can head to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay website.