Edinburgh Hogmanay 2024

Edinburgh's Hogmanay NYE fireworks, parties and events for new years eve 2023-2024

Edinburgh Castle new years eve fireworks

Celebrate the New Year in Edinburgh, one of the most iconic cities in the world! It is one of those places everyone should go at least once in their lifetime, a genuine "I've been there" type of experience, and the party is also available to a global audience with the addition of a live online stream to take the party worldwide! This year sees some fantastic events in the run up to th Hogmanay that you won't want to miss!

The cannon on Edinburgh Castle, fired by the locally famous Tam the Gun on the stroke of midnight, provides a highlight of the evening, and is immediately followed by a large fireworks display, for which the castle itself, perched majestically at the peak of the city, and viewable for miles around, provides a wonderful central point.

Hogmanay Schedule

Along the length of Princes Street and the adjacent eponymous Gardens the city comes alive with festivities - hundreds of thousands of revellers gather to bring in 2024 in style, in a party that gets underway from 8pm. This year celebrates 30 years!!

There will be live performances, with footage of the concert beamed into a giant screen in the main arena, so people can really enjoy the experience. There's also the option of a silent disco too.

As this is one of the world's biggest outdoor parties the local council has no choice other than to limit the number of people who can get in, meaning you must have a street party pass to enter the Princes St Edinburgh New Years Eve party - if you have an EH post code you will automatically qualify for a £5 discount.

You can buy your Street Party Pass, plus tickets for all of the following events, online via the official Hogmanay website here.

New Years Eve Fireworks

The fireworks over the Castle are of course one of the main highlights of the evening, and the best viewing areas away from the big street party include Calton Hill and Waterloo Place. A little further out you can also watch the display from Lothian Road, Bruntsfield Place, Salisbury Crags or Inverleith Park.

Concert in the Gardens

The Concert in the Gardens, held in the gorgeous West Princes Street Gardens is always one of the highlights of the evening's entertainment. This years headline is the magnificient Pulp, with special guests Hot Chip DJ set! Be aware this does require a seperate ticket, and they do sell out very quickly.

Tickets for the concert start from 70 pounds and include access to the street party afterwards. Get your tickets from 28th October here.

Torchlight Procession

Starting at 7.30pm on the 29th December, the 20,000 people strong, Torchlight Procession led by vikings, kicks off the main party in fine style, with torch bearing participants walking the city streets accompanied by the music of bagpipes.

With a new start location at the Meadows from 6pm, there will be lots of live entertainment, then the procession makes it way, like a river of fire, through the old town and comes to an end around 9pm in the city centre, where wicker sculptures will be set ablaze by the torches in a spectacular climax to the event. Get your ticket here.

Night Afore Disco Party

An incredible festival event, headlined by Abba Sensations, Bjorn Again and supported by fringe festival sing along band Massaoke. The party will be held on 30th December, in West Princes Street Gardens, this is a great family event to kick start the celebrations. Get your tickets here.

Candelit Concert at St Giles Cathedral

If you prefer your new year celebrations to have a more cultural edge, then we can heartily recommend the annual candelight concert in the spectacular St Giles Cathedral, getting underway at 6pm. Get details here

New Year Revels

This is the perfect excuse to brush off that kilt and don your most glamorous outfits as you twirl the evening away a truly stunning location. Join the party in the ballrooms of the Assembly Rooms with a top ceilidh. The perfect place to have a memorable evening! You can also pop out at midnight to catch the fireworks before coming back in and dancing the night away. Get your tickets here.

Bairns New Year Revels

A great event for the family at The Assembly Rooms on 31st December from 2 - 3.30pm bringing you an afternoon of New Years Eve fun with live music, singing and ceilidh dancing. This is a ticketed event, so check here for tickets and more info..

Hogmanay Ceilidhs

Grab your partner and take to the dancefloor as you Strip the Willow and dance the Gay Gordons! A Scottish Ceilidh is amazing fun and a great way to see in the new year in the Scottish capital! Try out Lauriston Hall, Old St Paul's Church, or there's always the big one at Assembly Rooms on George Street where you can dance the night away the Ceilidh Band.

Top New Year Bars

Away from the main, official celebrations, the bars and restaurants of the city's Grassmarket will be packed and buzzing, with Molly Malone's, the Bee Hive Inn, Biddy Mulligan's, The Last Drop Tavern and The White Hart Inn among the perennial favourites.

Many of Edinburgh's bars do tend to be ticket only on NYE though, so make sure you check in advance and give yourself plenty of time to make the appropriate arrangements.

Loony Dook

If you manage to make it through the new years eve celebrations in one piece then the ideal opportunity to chase away the hangover comes on new years day, when intrepid crowds head down to South Queensferry for a dip in the Forth under the shadow of the spectacular bridges. Get down there for 12.30pm if you want to join in with the madness!

NYE Restaurants

There are plenty of top notch restaurant choices for your new year dining experience in Edinburgh - personal favourites in my carnivorous days were the Witchery at the Castle and Cellar Door, although these days I prefer the vegetarian and vegan fayre on offer at Hendersons.

There are special menus and events on in the city centre, so get yourself booked in as soon as you can as these will sell out quickly. Check out Cold Town House, Le Monde, Las Iguanas, Whiski Rooms, Browns, Gaucho, The Scotsman Hotel & Grand Cafe, Metro at the Apex Grassmarket. You really are spoiled for choice!

Whatever your preference, you would be wise to reserve a table in plenty of time - see the full range of eating options here.

New Years Eve Hotels

If you're planning on visiting Edinburgh over the New Year period, then early reservation is very strongly recommended. You can search, check availability and book all of the top Edinburgh Hogmanay hotels here.

NYE Live Stream

There will also be Hogmanay live coverage on BBC Scotland

Latest NYE News

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