Edinburgh Hogmanay 2026: Dates, tickets, and lineup

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is Scotland’s four-day New Year festival featuring street parties, live music concerts, and traditional events. The celebration ends with fireworks at midnight, with Edinburgh Castle as the focal point.

This guide covers the 2026/2027 festival edition, including its exact dates, headline acts, Street Party tickets and prices, packages, and practical travel tips.

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TL;DR: What is Edinburgh Hogmanay 2026?

Hogmanay is the Scottish term for both the last day of the year and the traditional multi-day winter festival that celebrates the New Year in Scotland. Edinburgh is renowned globally for this celebration due to its rich cultural roots. 

• Confirmed dates: 29 December 2026 – 1 January 2027
• Main locations: Central Edinburgh, including Princes Street, Princes Street Gardens (Ross Bandstand), the Old Town, and the Meadows
• Official tickets and info: edwinterfest.com/hogmanay

Main events include: 

• Torchlight procession (Dec 29): Thousands of torchbearers march through Edinburgh’s Old Town, creating a sea of light.
• The Night Afore (Dec 30): Pre-party music events and live headliner concerts in Princes Street Gardens.
• Hogmanay Night (Dec 31): The core street party featuring live stages, pipe bands, DJs, and the flagship Midnight Moment fireworks over Edinburgh Castle.
• First Footin’ (Jan 1): Free live music and cultural pop-up events hosted across venues, pubs, and halls in the city.

When is Edinburgh Hogmanay 2026/27?

The festival dates are officially confirmed to run from 29 December 2026 to 1 January 2027. The main Hogmanay Street Party and midnight fireworks take place on 31 December 2026, welcoming the arrival of 2027. 

Specific event timings and schedules should always be verified on the official website (edwinterfest.com/hogmanay) before traveling. 

What is the Edinburgh Hogmanay 2026 schedule?

Hogmanay is a four-day festival, with a distinct celebration taking place each day.

29 December: Torchlight Procession

The Torchlight Procession was introduced as a formal event in 1993 during the very first official, organized Edinburgh Hogmanay festival. It was designed to give the city’s New Year celebrations a dramatic, ritualistic opening ceremony. 

• Date and location: Tuesday, 29 December 2026, starting at The Meadows (Melville Drive) and winding through Edinburgh’s historic Old Town to finish beneath Edinburgh Castle.

• Early afternoon: Torch collection points open.
• 6:30 PM: Pre-procession entertainment begins at The Meadows (live music, fire performers, street theatre).
• 7:30 PM: The procession sets off along its ~1.5 km route.
• 9:00 PM: Event conclusion.

What to expect on this night: 

• The river of fire: Approximately 15,000 people carrying wax torches form a steady flow of light as they move through the city.
• Viking and pipe leaders: The procession is traditionally led by the Shetland Up Helly Aa Vikings in full costume alongside massed pipe bands and drummers.
• Street performers and fire acts: Jugglers, fire-spinners, and musicians perform at the assembly point and along the route.

To participate in the procession by carrying a torch or walking within it, you need to buy an official ticket or wristband beforehand. Usually, at least one torch is shared between two participants. But viewing the procession is free. People can gather on Old Town pavements along the route. 

30 December: The Night Afore Party

The Night Afore Party on 30 December serves as the major warm-up celebration for New Year’s Eve. It turns the heart of Edinburgh into a high-energy, outdoor live concert the night before the main Street Party.

• Location: West Princes Street Gardens (at the Ross Bandstand).
• Setting: An outdoor arena directly beneath the illuminated backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
• Doors open: 6:00 PM (runs until approximately 10:30 PM).
• Ticket info: Ticketed outdoor standing event (prices start around £42.00).

On the Night Afore Party, you can expect: 

• Big concert vibe: Unlike the multi-stage format of New Year’s Eve, the Night Afore Party is focused around a single stage in the gardens.
• Festival bars and street food: Outdoor bars and local Scottish street food vendors operate inside the concert grounds.
• No fireworks: Fireworks are saved exclusively for midnight on 31 December, making 30 December strictly about the live music.

31 December: Street Party and fireworks

The main event on 31 December is the Hogmanay street party and concert in the Gardens. It is a ticketed event featuring multi-stage live music, street performers, DJs, and headline acts (like dance legends Underworld). 

• Location: Central Edinburgh (Princes Street, Waverley Bridge, and West Princes Street Gardens).
• Gates open: 8:00 PM (Last entry strictly at 11:00 PM).
• Event runs: 8:00 PM – 12:30 AM.

Highlights and entertainment on this night are: 

• Live stages and music: The street party zone features multiple stages across Princes Street with live bands, traditional street performers, and giant Silent Disco zones.
• Concert in the Gardens headliners: Electronic pioneers Underworld headline the main stage beneath Edinburgh Castle. In a festival first, Underworld will be soundtracking the official Midnight Moment live.
• The countdown and midnight fireworks: At 12:00 AM, a massive fireworks display fires directly from Edinburgh Castle and Castle Rock.
• Auld Lang Syne: Immediately after the fireworks, the crowd joins hands along Princes Street to sing Robert Burns’ Auld Lang Syne.

Note: This event requires a ticket. So, buy tickets in advance and download them to your mobile wallet (Apple or Google Wallet) before you arrive. 

1 January: New Year’s Day events

On 1 January, the festival shifts to daytime, family-friendly cultural events across the city to welcome the New Year.

The main events on this day are:

First Footin’

First Footin’ is a citywide cultural music trail featuring live acoustic, indie, and traditional Scottish music performed in historic venues, pubs, and halls throughout Edinburgh.

• Time: Afternoon to early evening (typically 2:00 PM – 6:30 PM).
• Access: Free (first-come, first-served basis per venue).
• What to expect: A relaxed, venue-hopping atmosphere featuring stripped-back musical sets, traditional ceilidh bands, local Scottish talent, and warm pub indoor spaces to cure a Hogmanay hangover.

Sprogmanay and Family Ceilidh

Sprogmanay and the Family Ceilidh are daytime winter festival sessions designed to give children and families a child-friendly way to celebrate the New Year together.

• Time: Late morning to mid-afternoon (typically 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM).
• Access: Mix of Free and ticketed (free drop-in craft and storytelling workshops; ticketed access for the structured family ceilidh sessions).
• What to expect: Interactive Scottish dance callers, child-friendly live music, arts and crafts stations, face painting, and an early afternoon “mock countdown” for younger kids.

The Loony Dook

The Loony Dook is a charitable New Year’s Day plunge into the freezing waters of the Firth of Forth.

• Time: Morning to early afternoon (registration ~10:30 AM; march and dip ~11:45 AM – 12:00 PM)
• Access: Ticketed for swimmers (~£12 registration fee benefiting local charities); Free for spectators along the beach and High Street.
• What to expect: Hundreds of costumed participants march down South Queensferry High Street before plunging into the icy river beneath the Forth Bridges. Spectators cheer along the beach, while nearby pubs and hot drink stalls await after the dip.

Who is headlining Edinburgh Hogmanay 2026?

Here are the main music headliners across the festival:

• The Fratellis: Headlining the Night Afore Party on 30 December in West Princes Street Gardens, performing hits like “Chelsea Dagger” and celebrating 20 years of their debut album Costello Music.
• Underworld: Headlining Hogmanay in the Gardens on 31 December, marking their festival debut and performing live to soundtrack the midnight fireworks display.
• Julie Fowlis: Performing a special show on 30 December alongside guest Pippa Blundell.

Additional support acts and Street Party stage lineups are announced closer to the event.

Do you need tickets for Hogmanay in Edinburgh?

Yes, tickets are required for all major Hogmanay evening events, including the Street Party, Hogmanay in the Gardens, the Torchlight Procession, and the Night Afore Party. 

Each event requires its own ticket unless explicitly purchased as part of an official VIP accommodation or access package. For example, a ticket for Hogmanay in the Gardens does not permit access to the broader Street Party arena, and vice versa.

Where is the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party?

The Street Party takes place on Princes Street, from the West End to Waverley Bridge, offering direct views of Edinburgh Castle for the midnight fireworks. Entry is strictly restricted to the gate assigned on your ticket: 

• East gate: Princes Street East/ North Bridge
• South gate: Bank Street/ The Mound
• West gate: Princes Street West/ Lothian Road

Note: Once you leave the perimeter, you will not be able to re-enter.

Is the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party worth it?

Visiting the city’s old Castle is already one of the best things to do in Edinburgh, but seeing it come alive during Hogmanay takes its elegance to a whole new level.

However, whether the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party is worth it depends on what you want out of your New Year’s Eve. 

• For bucket-list travelers seeking an electric, mass-scale party, it is an unforgettable experience. 
• For those who dislike dense crowds or freezing temperatures, it can feel like a test of endurance. 

If you are not sure which event to attend, the comparison between the street party and Hogmanay in the Gardens can help:

What to know before attending Edinburgh Hogmanay 2026

The following tips help you have a better experience on 2026 Edinburgh Hogmanay:

• Arrive early: Security queues build up significantly after 9:30 PM. Aim to enter your assigned gate between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM to avoid long waits.
• Download e-tickets in advance: Cell phone service bogs down across central Edinburgh due to crowd density. Save all digital tickets to your mobile wallet before approaching the gates.
• Travel on foot or tram: Main central roads close from mid-afternoon on 31 December. Taxis are almost impossible to catch post-midnight. Rely on extended night tram services or walk back to your accommodation, as Edinburgh is one of the best cities for public transport in the UK. 
• Layer Up: Expect temperatures between 1°C and 5°C (34°F–41°F) with wind chill coming off the Firth of Forth. Wear a thermal base layer, a fleece mid-layer, and a windproof/waterproof outer coat.
• Restrictions: Bring only small bags (no larger than A3-sizedpaper). Large backpacks are prohibited and will slow down security lines. Umbrellas are banned inside ticketed event arenas. Rely on hoods, beanies, and waterproof gloves instead.
• Footwear is everything: You will spend 4 to 5 hours standing on cold, wet stone. Wear sturdy, waterproof boots with good grip for cobbled streets, paired with thick wool socks.
• Pack hand-warmers: Tuck disposable or rechargeable hand-warmers into your gloves and boots for quick relief while standing in the crowd.
• Dense crowds: Expect packed streets and long lines for stages, bars, and toilets.

Stay connected during Edinburgh Hogmanay 2026

Mobile data is essential during Hogmanay for accessing digital event tickets, coordinating post-midnight transport, and staying connected with your group in crowded areas. 

Holafly Edinburgh eSIM is a convenient option for international visitors to this festival, highlighting:

• Unlimited data
• 5G speeds where available
• 24/7 customer support
• Holafly Reusable eSIM, which lets travelers reuse the same eSIM without installing a new one for every trip
• Always On, which provides 1 GB of backup data every 30 days at no extra cost after the main data allowance is exhausted

If you are a frequent traveler or would like to travel to different destinations within a month, Holafly Plans offers a monthly connectivity plan. Additionally, Ultra Plan is an ideal option for travelers interested in more digital and travel services, such as travel protection and health support.

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Violet Lee

SEO Content Specialist

Formerly a travel journalist turned marketing copywriter, I found my way back to the travel world with Holafly—my dream company that made remote work possible. My motto? “Dream big and make it happen.” I’m passionate about writing, exploring the world, and staying active through walking, running, swimming, and hiking. I also love learning, reflecting, and connecting with inspiring minds.

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