Hogmanay: Tips for New Year’s in Edinburgh

“New Year’s Eve, known as Hogmanay in Scotland, is a fabulous event that takes place over three days and includes entertainment and culture. Hogmanay in Edinburgh is unforgettable, with elaborate fireworks bursting over ancient castle walls and parades and parties venturing down darkened passageways in the city.

If you’re planning to attend Hogmanay, here’s everything you need to know to ensure you have a wonderful New Year’s Eve experience.

About Hogmanay
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Hogmanay is the Scottish word for the last day of the year, or New Year’s Eve. It’s widely regarded as one of Scotland’s most important holidays. Many of the Hogmanay traditions arose from pagan traditions and early Christmas traditions, as well as some modern additions throughout the years.

Older traditions and customs that are still practiced at Hogmanay include house blessing, gift giving and first footing, which is a belief that the first person to cross the household threshold in the New Year will bring good fortune to the home. Traditional gifts for first footing include whisky, coal, food and silver coins.

Hogmanay is typically celebrated with music, dancing and food. Local customs vary across the regions, and Edinburgh’s festival dates back to 1993.

Typical Hogmanay events
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Hogmanay officially begins on December 30th and starts with a Torchlight Procession, which involves 10,000 revellers with torches marching through the city streets. After the procession, the Up Hell Aa’ Vikings from Shetland follow for an awesome visual spectacle. After that, there’s a vibrant fireworks display from Calton Hill.

On December 31st, the party really begins. The New Year’s Eve Street Party officially starts at 9 p.m., which involves multiple bands and performers on stages throughout the city. The main event is the Concert in the Gardens, which takes place at the Princes Street Gardens with the Edinburgh Castle as a backdrop. Though the new year is welcomed at 12 midnight, the parties continue on until 1 a.m.

What to do on New Year’s Day
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On New Year’s Day, the Loony Dook has an event with a swim in the icy River Forth for UK charities. If you’re brave, you can take part in this event and earn the bragging rights.

If swimming in the cold river is too much for you, Scot:Lands has a scavenger hunt around the city that takes you to some of the most iconic buildings to see world-famous art, music and theatre. The event ends with a Final Fling, which is a ceilidh traditional dance that marks the end of Hogmanay.

Tickets for Hogmanay events
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Most Hogmanay events require tickets, though there are a few free events during the festival. Tickets are required for the Torchlight Procession, the family events, the ceilidh, the Candlelit Concert at St Giles and the Concert in the Gardens. Tickets can be purchased online, in person or by phone from the Edinburgh box office.

Most of the fireworks displays are free, and you can watch certain parades and events without a ticket. Some events are also free, but require tickets to gain entry. Smaller events tend to sell out fast, so it’s important to get tickets for your events early.

Where in Edinburgh are Hogmanay events?
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Hogmanay events take place all over the city, but the primary events are within the Princes Street Gardens area. The exact locations change throughout the year, but they mainly take place near the Waverley train station, Royal Mile, McEwan Hall and the Mound. Many of the museums hold special events and exhibitions as well.

Fortunately, the events are within walking distance of each other. Some events overlap, however, so it’s a good idea to check the event times and make sure you have time to walk or drive between locations. Most of the events have a cut-off time for entry and don’t allow you to leave and re-enter, so be sure to plan your day and night accordingly.

Travel to Hogmanay
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Hogmanay is an incredibly popular event in Edinburgh, so if you plan to attend, it’s important to book your travel, accommodation and other arrangements early. Prices not only increase over the holidays, but you may not be able to book a hotel, car hire, flight or other travel accommodation last minute.

Tips for Hogmanay
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Here are some helpful tips to ensure you have a fun, comfortable and safe experience at Hogmanay:

– Alcohol: You can bring your own alcohol into street parties, but only in cans or plastic bottles. No glass is allowed. If you plan ahead, you can avoid standing in line for drinks and missing the party.
– Shoes: Wear flat shoes, because many of the Hogmanay events are standing only, so you may not be able to sit down. The hills are steep around Edinburgh as well, and it can get slippery in the rain.
– Clothing: Pack layers and warm clothing, such as thick sweaters, down or wool jackets and wool socks. You may want to pack a backpack to carry your belongings and make it more comfortable to dance and walk around.
– Cell phone charger: Hogmanay is a long event, so you may want to invest in a portable cell phone charger to ensure you have a full battery for pictures.

With these tips and advice, you’re ready to attend Hogmanay in Edinburgh and experience the best the event has to offer. If you need to plan your trip, visit Expedia to check out Edinburgh hotels and get great deals on travel and accommodation for Hogmanay!”