It’s official, Edinburgh Hogmanay is back with the iconic Street Party to welcome in 2023 with a bang in the city centre. 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.
But there is more: this year, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party visitors will be part of the light show. Every attendee will be given an LED wristband that will light up at midnight. So, striking midnight will not only paint the sky with traditional firework displays, but also create a magical light show on the ground on West Princes Street as visitors from all over the world wave their wristbands in the air.
Penny Dougherty of Unique Events and William Burdett-Coutts of Assembly Festival, Directors of the Edinburgh-based event, said: “We can’t wait to welcome people back to celebrate in Edinburgh at the Home of Hogmanay. Our new LED wristbands will ensure that all the Street Party revellers are part of the show, and part of the spectacular Midnight Moment as we bring in 2023 together.”
The wristbands will be provided by Xylobands, a company that also collaborated with Glastonbury and Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony 2022, visually connecting audiences with music. What is more, 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 £22.50, while the full price-tickets come at £27.50. 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 30, with The Night Afore Disco Party with the pop princes Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Altered Images where you can dance the night away at this family-friendly event. December 30 will also mark Festival of Ceilidhs – Countdown to Hogmanay, where a series of exhilarating ceilidh evenings at the Assembly Roxy are sure to get people moving with foot-stomping, boisterous fun. The ceilidh series conclude on New Year’s Day with the free Sprogmanay Family Ceilidh with the Edinburgh Ceilidh Club.
The main event of the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens will be headlined by Pet Shop Boys Greatest Hits into the New Year on December 31, as the pop legends will show the world how to party.
A candlelit concert at St Giles’ Cathedral is also set to provide a festive celebration featuring soulful music for brass, choir and organ. This year’s concert features John Rutter’s Gloria, Cecilia McDowall’s Christmastide Cantata A Winter’s Night, and Parry’s ever popular I was Glad performed by the Choir of St Giles’ Cathedral, with Jordan English on the organ, who are joined by the dazzling young brass ensemble Carnyx Brass.
To view the full programme and book your tickets, you can head to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay website.