What Is Edinburgh’s Hogmanay?
Hogmanay is the Scottish name for New Year’s Eve, and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is the city’s multi-day festival built around it. The official programme runs over four days, from 29 December 2026 to 1 January 2027. It combines processions, concerts, a large street party and a free programme on New Year’s Day.
It is a different event from the Edinburgh Christmas Markets. The markets run from mid-November to early January and are a shopping and food event, while Hogmanay is a New Year festival with its own programme and tickets. Our guide to Christmas markets in the UK covers the markets in more detail.
Edinburgh Hogmanay Dates and Main Events
The table below lists the main events in the order they run, based on the official Edinburgh festival information. Event times and any changes are published in the official programme, so check it before you plan your day.
| Date | Event | What the official information says |
|---|---|---|
| 29 December 2026 | Torchlight Procession | Starts at The Meadows and moves through the Old Town, with fire performers, pipe bands and drummers |
| 30 December 2026 | Night Afore concert | Held at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens, with Edinburgh Castle as the backdrop |
| 31 December 2026 | Street Party and Midnight Moment | Princes Street hosts the city-centre party and countdown to midnight |
| 31 December 2026 | Concert in the Gardens and other concerts | Concert in Princes Street Gardens; check the official listing for ticket details. Headliners are announced separately |
| 31 December 2026 | Ceilidh events and candlelit concert | Afternoon and evening ceilidhs, plus a candlelit concert at St Giles’ Cathedral |
| 1 January 2027 | First Footin’ and Sprogmanay | A free New Year’s Day programme of music, arts and a family ceilidh |
Not every event has the same format. Some are ticketed, some are free, and some have age rules. The sections below cover each part in more detail.
The Torchlight Procession
The Torchlight Procession takes place on 29 December 2026, the first day of the festival. The official information describes a route that starts at The Meadows and moves through the Old Town, with fire performers, pipe bands and drummers along the way. It is a visually striking start to the festival, and it is best seen from a spot that you have checked on the route map before the day.
Plan your position in advance. Routes can be crowded, and access may be restricted in some areas. Arrive early enough to find a clear view and a safe place to stand. The official programme is the place to confirm the start time, the route and any access rules for that year.
Edinburgh’s New Year’s Eve Street Party
The Street Party takes place on Princes Street on 31 December 2026 and ends with a countdown to midnight, known as the Midnight Moment. The official information says the party draws about 45,000 people, so expect large crowds, especially close to midnight.
Access arrangements for the street and any enclosed areas are set for each year, and they may change on the night. Check the official event page for the access rules before you travel, and arrive early if you want a good position. Keep your belongings secure, and plan a meeting point in case your group becomes separated.
Concerts and Midnight Fireworks
Alongside the Street Party, the festival includes concerts at several venues. The Night Afore concert on 30 December is held at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens, with the castle as the backdrop. On 31 December, a concert takes place in Princes Street Gardens, and a candlelit concert runs at St Giles’ Cathedral in a quieter setting.
The official information refers to fireworks as part of the New Year celebrations. The pages we reviewed do not give a firm timing or viewing location for the fireworks, so check the official programme for the latest details before you plan where to be at midnight.
Check headline acts and timings yourself
Headline artists and line-ups are announced separately, and third-party sites often show different names. Confirm the artists and timings on the official programme before you book any travel or accommodation around a particular concert.
New Year’s Day Celebrations
The festival continues on 1 January 2027, with a free programme for all ages. The official information describes First Footin’, a culture trail of artists performing across the city in landmark buildings, pubs, cafés and other venues, and Sprogmanay, an afternoon of music, arts and crafts, plus a family ceilidh.
New Year’s Day is a good option if you want a quieter day after the midnight celebrations, or if you travel with younger children. Check the timings for each venue on the official programme, since the trail spans several locations.
Tickets and Booking Advice
Ticket rules differ by event. The official Edinburgh information shows that some events are ticketed and others are free, and that new ticket information is released through the festival website and its newsletter. Prices and sale dates are not stated on the official pages we reviewed, so this guide does not quote them.
- Check the official Hogmanay website for the current ticket list before you travel, and sign up for its newsletter for programme updates.
- Expect early-release and general sale windows to have opened already. Availability for popular events can be limited, so check what is still on sale.
- Buy tickets only through the official site or a clearly identified official route. Check the seller, the terms and the refund conditions before you pay.
Packages from travel companies
Travel companies sell packages that bundle tickets, accommodation and transfers around Hogmanay. These can suit some visitors, but they are a separate purchase from the official tickets. Read exactly what is included, check any deposit and cancellation rules, and do not assume that a company is an official partner unless the official festival information confirms it.
Where to Stay in Edinburgh
Accommodation near the city centre is usually the most convenient base for Hogmanay, because many events are within walking distance of Princes Street and the Old Town. Book early, since the festival period is busy and rooms can sell out. Compare the walk from your room to the event you plan to attend, and allow for crowds when you head back at night.
If you stay further out, check the transport options from your accommodation to the centre on the day, and confirm when the last services run, since timetables can change over the festive period. Check cancellation terms before you book, particularly if the event programme or your travel plans might change.
Getting Around During Hogmanay
Edinburgh Waverley is the main station, and it sits close to Princes Street, which makes it a practical arrival point for visitors by rail. The city also has trams, buses and taxis. Routes can change during large events, because road closures and crowd arrangements are common in the city centre.
Before you travel on 31 December or 1 January, check the operators’ service notices. Plan a route home that does not depend on a single connection, and keep a charged phone and a backup plan in case your first option is closed or full.
Weather, Clothing and Safety
Edinburgh in late December is cold, and wind off the hills can make it feel colder than the forecast. Dress in warm layers, choose a waterproof outer layer and wear shoes with good grip for icy or wet pavements. Hats, gloves and a scarf help when you stand outside for long periods.
- Carry only what you need, and keep valuables out of sight in crowds.
- Follow the instructions of stewards and signage, and keep clear of closed areas.
- Arrange a meeting point with your group in case you become separated.
- Check the bag and entry rules for each event before you set out, as they can differ.
Visiting Edinburgh from Outside the UK
Edinburgh is in Scotland, which is part of the United Kingdom, so the UK entry rules apply. Whether you need an ETA depends on your nationality and circumstances. Visitors who are eligible for an ETA and travel for tourism, including a festive trip, can use one, and travellers who are not eligible may need a visa instead. Our UK ETA requirements guide explains who needs an ETA, and the tourism guidance covers holiday visits in more detail.
If you are eligible and need an ETA, you can start your application here: Start your UK ETA application.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2026–2027?
The official festival runs from 29 December 2026 to 1 January 2027.
Is Hogmanay the same as the Edinburgh Christmas Markets?
No. Hogmanay is a separate New Year festival with its own programme. The Christmas markets are a different event with their own dates.
Is the Street Party free?
Check the official event listing for the current ticket and access rules, because they can change between years. Do not assume a free event is open to everyone without a ticket, or that a ticketed event will be accessible without one.
Are there age limits for Hogmanay events?
Age rules differ by event. The official pages we reviewed did not set a general age limit, so check each event before you book, especially if you travel with children.
Do I need an ETA to attend Hogmanay?
That depends on your nationality and circumstances, not on the event. Check the requirements guide before you book travel.
Travel Planning Checklist
- Confirm the festival dates and each event’s timing on the official programme, and check it again close to your trip.
- Check whether each event is ticketed, free or has access rules, and buy only through an official route.
- Choose your accommodation early, and check the walk or transport from it to your events.
- Plan your route home for 31 December and 1 January, and check the operators’ service notices.
- Pack warm layers, a waterproof outer layer and shoes with good grip.
- Confirm your UK entry requirements, including any ETA, before you book flights.