Hogmanay is the Scottish word for the last day of the year or New Year’s Eve and is generally regarded as the most important Scottish holiday. Christmas was not celebrated as a festival and virtually banned in Scotland for around 400 years. And so it was, right up until the 1950s that many Scots worked over Christmas and celebrated their winter solstice holiday at New Year, when family and friends would gather for a party and to exchange presents which came to be known as Hogmanay’s.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival dates back to 1993 and has evolved to become one of the greatest outdoor celebrations of New Year’s Eve in the world. Hogmanay is technically just one day but the Hogmanay celebration in Edinburgh (as well as in other places in Scotland) lasts for 3 or 4 days. In any normal year, the big events include a torchlight procession, a massive outdoor street party, a live headline concert and fireworks, and free culture trail across the city – and of course immediately after midnight on New Year’s Eve it is traditional for the thousands of revellers to join hands and sing Robert Burns‘ Auld Lang Syne……before continuing to party into the wee hours.
Torchlight Procession
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay have announced the return of the spectacular Torchlight Procession to kick off this year’s Hogmanay celebrations. This family-friendly event is back to mark the start of New Year celebrations around the world on Sunday 29 December. A river of fire will weave its way through the capital’s streets, with torches carried in aid of local and national charities.
With up to 20,000 participants blazing a trail through the Old Town of Scotland’s historic Capital, this event welcome’s locals and tourists alike to a carnival atmosphere in the Meadows with live street theatre, fire performers, pipe bands and drummers, before the ceremonial Torchlight Procession embarks on its route through the Old Town, with a fiery finale underneath Edinburgh Castle. Passing famous Edinburgh landmarks including National Museum of Scotland, Greyfriars Kirkyard, the Tolbooth Kirk, the National Library of Scotland and much more, this spectacle is not to be missed. Returning this year, the procession will be led by Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad, who previously made history when they appointed the first ever female Jarl.
Councillor Val Walker, City of Edinburgh Council Culture and Communities Convener said: “I’m delighted to see the Torchlight Procession returning to the streets of Edinburgh this year. It’s a breathtaking sight as thousands make their way through our capital’s historic streets, their torches lighting up the night— it’s a moving symbol of unity and hope for the year ahead. It is also raising vital funds for four wonderful charities. This highlight of the Hogmanay programme is always a favourite among residents and visitors alike, and I have no doubt it will be just as popular this year.”
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay announces a stellar line-up of Scottish music for New Year festivities
The event has also revealed a stellar line-up of live music events taking place across Scotland’s capital throughout 2024/2025’s New Year festivities. This eclectic programme of events presents indie rock legends, contemporary Scottish bands and DJ’s, alongside classical recitals and foot stompin’ ceilidh chaos. Taking place from 30 December until New Year’s Day, this feast of some of Scotland’s best musicians will perform in landmark venues across the Capital. Featuring the spectacular St. Giles’ Cathedral and Edinburgh’s famous Assembly Rooms.
For the first time, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will host live music events outside the city centre, branching out to Portobello Town Hall and Leith Arches on 1 January, welcoming in the New Year with some outstanding live music. Highlights include Edinburgh’s own Idlewild who will headline a very special Night Afore Concert at the Assembly Rooms, Scottish music icons Texas will headline the Concert in the Gardens, a Candlelit Concert at St. Giles’ Cathedral, and a free Family Ceilidh taking place in Portobello Town Hall.
Councillor Val Walker added: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is once again set to be a spectacular celebration, with events taking place across the city from St. Giles’ Cathedral and Assembly Rooms to Leith Arches and Portobello Town Hall. This diverse programme promises to be an unforgettable experience for residents and visitors alike, featuring live music, ceilidh dancing, and breathtaking views of the midnight fireworks over Edinburgh Castle. I’m excited to see Edinburgh continue to shine as the place to welcome in the New Year!”
Edinburgh’s Winter Festival
Edinburgh’s Winter Festival is the home of Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh. Edinburgh’s Christmas this year runs for six weeks from the from November 2024 to 4 January 2025, and brings festivity to the heart of Edinburgh and beyond. With a newly expanded programme of events and attractions including Christmas Markets, Ice Skating, fairground rides, Christmas Tree maze, community events and more, Edinburgh’s Christmas is the best way to celebrate the festive season with loved ones.
The world-famous Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations bring Edinburgh into the New Year with a bang! Edinburgh welcomes revellers from across the globe for a four-day festival celebrating and ringing in the New Year with live music, spectacular fireworks, Street Parties, comedy and more.
Did you know?
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay
-Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2024-25 is Scotland’s premier Winter Festival, presenting spectacular events which have positioned Edinburgh as one of the world’s greatest New Year celebrations and rightful place as the ‘Home of Hogmanay’.
-Since the inaugural event in 1993, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay quickly grew into one of the world’s leading New Year celebrations, and over three decades has welcomed millions of visitors and locals to party in Scotland’s capital
-Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2024/25 is a key part of Scotland’s winter tourism calendar, generating over £48 million in economic benefit, with over 100,000 people anticipated to attend events in the city for the four-day celebrations
-Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is one of Edinburgh’s eleven major festivals, created in 1993, the festival quickly grew into a globally recognised event, attracting visitors from around the world to celebrate New Year in Edinburgh, the ‘Home of Hogmanay’
-Over 3.35 million revellers have experienced the world-famous Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party over the last 30 years
-Edinburgh’s Hogmanay continues to be a bucket list experience for people around the world looking to celebrate New Year in Scotland.
-The word Hogmanay came from various possible language origins such as Gaelic, Dutch and Flemish.
Hogmanay traditions
-First footing – The ‘first foot’ in the house after midnight is still very common in Scotland. To ensure good luck, a first footer should be a dark-haired man. Fair-haired first footers were not particularly welcome after the Viking invasions of ancient times. Traditional gifts include a lump of coal to lovingly place on the host’s fire, along with shortbread, a black bun and whisky to toast to a Happy New Year. These days shortbread and whisky will suffice. Showing up empty handed is not only very rude but also bad luck!
-Redding the house – Rather than a Spring clean, the Scots have a New Year’s clean to welcome in the New Year. Starting the New Year with a dirty house is bad luck. When open fires were common, people would clear the ashes and lay a new fire for the New Year. Cleaning one’s house also extends to clearing one’s debts. An old Scottish superstition states that you should try to clear all your debts before the stroke of midnight.
-Bonfires and Fire Festivals- Scotland’s fire festivals at Hogmanay and later in January may have pagan or Viking origins. The use of fire to purify and drive away evil spirits is an ancient idea. Fire is at the centre of Hogmanay celebrations in Stonehaven, Comrie and Biggar and has recently become an element in Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebration.
-The singing of Auld Lang Syne all over the world- People sing Robert Burns’ version of this traditional Scottish air. How it became the New Year’s song is something of a mystery. At Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, people join hands for what is reputed to be the world’s biggest Auld Lang Syne.
-The Saining of the House- This is a very old rural tradition that involved blessing the house and livestock with holy water from a local stream. Although it had nearly died out, in recent years it has experienced a revival. After the blessing with water, the woman of the house was supposed to go from room to room with a smouldering juniper branch, filling the house with purifying smoke.
For more information about Edinburgh’s Winter Festival visit: www.edwinterfest.com