Edinburgh's Hogmanay - choirs, ceilidhs, crowds and culture!

As 2014 comes to a close, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay remains THE way to celebrate the end of the old year and the start of a new one.

The Festival City offers a three day party, with events ranging from a parade of firelit Vikings, to music from top stars and traditional Scottish artists, and of course the huge street party and spectacular fireworks concert at midnight on the 31st.

Tuesday 30 December 2014

Things get underway on the 30th with the amazing sight of thousands of torch carriers marching through the streets of the capital, led by the Up Helly Aa’ Vikings of Shetland and the always awesome massed pipes and drums.

The Torchlight Procession will illuminate the city centre in a parade towards a fantastic display of light and music, with some superb fireworks to round things off, and get the city in the mood for the following night....

Wednesday 31 December 2014

New Year's Eve itself, better known as Hogmanay, offers a range of celebratory events for the thousands (and thousands and thousands) who will fill Edinburgh's city centre to see in 2015. For a serene ending to the year, head to St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile for the Candlelit Concert at 7.30pm where the Cathedral Choir will perform some of the world's most beautiful music. Programme details for 2014 are yet to be announced, but 2013's concert featured the likes of Haydn, Mozart and Bach, filling the grand old hall with an atmosphere of pure choral bliss. 

If you're after a wilder night out though, remember to head to the Mound Precinct between the National Galleries of Scotland for the Keilidh at the Street Party, with acts starting at 9pm and playing on until 1am. A professional ceilidh caller will guide novices through traditional Scottish dance moves, allowing just about anyone to birl their way to the bells!

The Street Party doesn't stop at the Mound of course, with most of Princes Street filled with revellers from all over the world enjoying DJs, live music, each other's good cheer and the fantastic annual midnight fireworks display, lighting up the capital's skies in fine style, and accompanied of course by a mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne. At the heart of the Street Party is the Concert in the Gardens, with fantastic live acts starting at 9pm and playing until 1am. This year the concert is headlined by Lily Allen, with more names to be announced soon. Being in the gardens also offers concertgoers a unique, incredible view of the midnight fireworks from beneath the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle.

Thursday 1 January 2015

New Year's Day in Edinburgh is a special day to be a part of, with an atmosphere of freshness and renewal, at least for those not still sleeping off the night before. Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations continue, with a chance to enjoy a free curated journey through Edinburgh’s Old Town to witness nine incredible new worlds, presenting the very best in music, art and theatre, in SCOT:LANDS.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay is one of the world’s greatest New Year celebrations and something everyone should experience at least once in their life - so we'll see you in December!