What’s on in Edinburgh for Hogmanay?

The spectacular midnight firework display over Edinburgh Castle is the traditional stock image of Hogmanay in Scotland’s capital.

But that is just one of dozens of events that draw thousands of people to the city to celebrate the dawn of the new year.

If you’re planning to join the three-day party, this is what you can expect as we head into 2026.

Celebrations begin on 29 December with a torchlight procession, creating a “river of fire” during the parade from the Meadows through the Old Town.

And they will continue with live music and dancing at Vic Galloway’s Vitamin C club night at the Assembly Rooms.

A series of Night Afore Concerts take place on 30 December at venues across the city, including Peat and Diesel at Princes Street Gardens.

There will also be comedy at the Assembly Rooms and a candlelit folk music performance at St Giles’ Cathedral.

For many the street party is the highlight of Hogmanay itself, when the city centre is transformed into a massive outdoor party with live music, DJs, street theatre and a carnival atmosphere for tens of thousands of revellers.

But for those who prefer a more traditional Scottish party, the Assembly Rooms will play host to two ceilidhs on 31 December – including an early one for children.

A candlelit concert in St Giles Cathedral will feature the work of Bach and Mozart, while indie rock band Wet Leg headlines the Concert in the Gardens.

Alternatively party-goers can select one of three different genres of music to dance to at the Street Party Mega Silent Disco.

At midnight fireworks will light up the sky above Edinburgh Castle as revellers link arms and sing Robert Burns’ Auld Lang Syne.

New Year’s Day is traditionally the day when brave swimmers don their fancy dress for the Loony Dook – a hangover-clearing dip in the bracing waters of the Firth of Forth.

January 1st will also see a series of free music and cultural events in pubs, cafes and venues across the city as part of the music trail.

A performance by Tinderbox Orchestra with Kathryn Joseph at St Giles’ Cathedral is expected to be one of the highlights.

There will be a series of family-friendly events at the National Museum of Scotland for Sprogmanay, as well as a family ceilidh at Assembly Roxy.

And at Portobello town hall Garbage’s Shirley Manson will be among a series of literary guests in conversation at Muckle Be The Light.

Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party happens mainly in the city centre, primarily along Princes Street, creating a ticketed arena with music and DJs.

Separate tickets are required at the Concert in the Gardens in West Princes Street Gardens and at the Ross Bandstand.

Tickets for the street party cost £33, while available briefs for the concert start at £73.

The concert, headlined by Wet Leg, will also feature performances by Scottish supports acts Hamish Hawk and Lucia & The Best Boys.

Comedian Susie McCabe will host the event and lead the countdown to midnight and the famous fireworks.

Alcohol is permitted into the street party but not into the Concert in the Gardens.

It must be in plastic containers and cans not exceeding 500ml and a maximum of four per person will be permitted.

There will be bars and food outlets throughout the street party – all operating a cashless policy.

Edinburgh Trams has put out a Festive timetable.

• Hogmanay (31 December): Trams will operate a 10-minute service on either side of the closure of Princes Street, between Edinburgh Airport and The West End, and Picardy Place and Newhaven.

• After midnight all trams will be free. From midnight until 02:00, trams will operate every 10 minutes, then a frequent service until the early hours of New Year’s Day.

• New Year’s Day (1 January): Normal weekday service will resume once Princes Street re-opens, with trams running on either side of the closure before that.

Lothian Buses has put out a Hogmanay timetable.

• After 18:00 on Hogmanay: There will be unlimited bus use for £5.

• Between midnight and 04:00 on New Years Day: There will be unlimited bus use for £10.

Accessible viewing places are limited for the events for people with permanent disabilities. Contact access@unique-assembly.co.uk or call 0131 623 3033.

BBC weather presenter Kirsteen Macdonald said the forecast was for a relatively dry Hogmanay in Edinburgh.

She added: “‘High pressure generally remains to the north of the UK, but drifts further to the west.

“This more westerly positioning will allow for the potential of an even colder N/NE flow setting up with isolated showers from the North Sea affecting eastern coastal areas.

“Most models are now backing away from a wintry element to these showers which look more likely to be rain.

“They are also looking substantially lighter on latest model runs. Areas away from the east will likely remain drier.”

It is an outdoor party in the winter so organisers advise that party-goers dress warmly and be prepared for crowds.