Hogmanay Events in Edinburgh

During the Hogmanay celebrations, Edinburgh is the place to be for live gigs, bands and crowds, and the three-day party is well known for being one of the best celebrations in the world.

Some of the most fun ways to celebrate must be experienced if you live in or around the city - for example the Hogmanay Torchlight Procession on 30th. It’s popular – you’re looking at around 30,000 people carrying torches across the George VI Bridge and through the city to a spectacular fireworks display, but it’s a real family event and so much fun!

The New Year fireworks are not to be missed – but like the Torchlight Procession, they are incredibly popular, so get there early and be prepared for a crowd. If you’re out for a night of merry making on New Year’s Eve, you’ll know that the street party is a ticketed event and some of the bars in Edinburgh charge for admission after the fireworks, but there are also some that will issue tickets for free. A ticketed bar means that you can avoid a mad rush for that first drink of 2016.

Christmas Markets

In the lead up to Christmas, Edinburgh is full of Christmas markets, but if you want to try something a little different, Cowgate's own alternative Christmas Market is on at The Three Sisters every Friday & Saturday from the end of November to 19 December. Food stalls and craft ales are joined by drag queens singing Mariah Carey classics and festive films showing in an open air cinema.  For the kids, there’s a free Children’s Market until 4th January at Santaland, complete with face painting, crafts and gifts for little ones.

Dancing and Celebrating

A ceilidh is a great way to work off some of the Christmas excesses and have a lot of fun, but the main Hogmanay Ceilidh is like most of the events in Edinburgh –very popular! If you fancy a bit of a dance with a difference, there’s always the Abandoman bass drop ceilidh in St Andrew’s Square that mixes hip hop with traditional sounds to create a “Ceilidh Rave.”

Also in St Andrew’s Square and with a family feel is the super-cute Baby Loves disco. Don your kilts and Christmas jumpers and head off for a mid-day boogie to some 2015 hits and nostalgic floor fillers, for kids and grown-ups alike. There’s even a family ceilidh, and on 30th December there’ll be an Auld Lang Syne practise run. There will be bubbles, balloons and face painting for the kids and a bar for the adults, so they’ve got everything covered! If you have an EH postcode get a 20 per cent discount, too.

A new home for 2016?

We’re gearing up for Christmas with some great properties you might want to view before the festivities. If you’re looking to move in the New Year, have you considered the highly desirable Colinton district? We have a lovely three bedroom mid terrace home in an attractive courtyard setting on Bonaly Rise, and if you’re looking for a project to get your teeth into next year, we have a delightful family villa on Cammo Grove in the Barnton area, which is well-looked after but could do with some modernising. To view these properties, contact the office and speak to one of our friendly team.

Merry Christmas and happy Hogmanay!