Illustration of a New Year's Eve countdown with revelers in party hats and fireworks over a town square (Edinburgh's Hogmanay)

Edinburgh's Hogmanay

Participants gather for a carnival atmosphere featuring live street theatre, fire performers, and drummers. Massed Pipes & Drums and Vikings from Shetland's South Mainland Up Helly Aa' Jarl Squad then guide thousands of torchbearers through Edinburgh's historic Old Town. The procession illuminates the city, creating an extensive river of fire.

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Plan Your Visit

When

Tickets

Prices from £5.75. At least one torch must be purchased per two people; additional participants need entry wristbands and/or additional torches. A charity donation is collected with each ticket purchase: £2.00 per Torch Ticket or £1.00 per Additional Procession Ticket.

Hours

18:30.

Ages

12+

Neighborhood

Old Town and City Centre

Going?

Location

The Meadows · Melville Dr, Edinburgh EH9 1ND Get Directions

Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 ⚪ (4/5)

Best For

Families and visitors who enjoy large outdoor spectacles

Vibe

Festive and dramatic

Energy Level

High

Photo Friendly

High

Weather Sensitivity

High

Tips & Advice

  • Buy at least one torch for every two people, then add entry wristbands or extra torches so everyone else in your party can join.
  • Buy only from edinburghshogmanay.com, ticketmaster.com or tickets-scotland.com, because tickets from Eventbrite or secondary sites are not valid and there's no official resale.
  • Get there in time for the warm-up, when street theatre, fire performers and drummers get the crowd going before the pipes and Vikings set off.
  • Wrap up warmly for about two hours outdoors on a December evening, walking with thousands of torchbearers through the Old Town.
  • A charity donation is collected with every Torch Ticket and Additional Procession Ticket to raise money for the festival's local charity partners.

Links & Contact

Run by Unique Assembly Ltd.

Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can children join the procession?

Yes. It's open to all ages and listed as a family event.

Does everyone in my group need a torch?

No, but you need at least one torch for every two people. Anyone else in your party needs an entry wristband or an extra torch.

What happens before the procession sets off?

Street theatre, fire performers and drummers warm the crowd up. Then the Massed Pipes & Drums and Vikings from Shetland's South Mainland Up Helly Aa' Jarl Squad lead the procession through the Old Town.

Where can I buy valid tickets?

Only from edinburghshogmanay.com, ticketmaster.com or tickets-scotland.com. There's no official resale, and tickets on Eventbrite or secondary sites are not valid.

How long should I allow?

The procession runs for about two hours.

Browse Christmas in Edinburgh

Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.

Contributors & Updates

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