Edinburgh’s Hogmanay

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is a four-day New Year festival in Scotland’s capital, running from 29 December 2026 through 1 January 2027. The programme opens with the Torchlight Procession, includes concerts and city-centre events, and ends with First Footin’, a New Year’s Day music programme across Edinburgh. The organizer’s 2026–27 announcement (opens in a new tab) confirms the dates and current programme highlights.

Torchbearers and pipers move through Edinburgh’s Old Town at dusk. · 1 / 3

2026–27 dates and programme

Events take place at venues across Edinburgh’s historic centre. The main outdoor gatherings are joined by indoor music, comedy and ceilidh events. Check the organizer’s live programme (opens in a new tab) for the latest event times and ticket availability.

• Tuesday, 29 December: The Torchlight Procession begins at 18:30 at The Meadows. Street theatre, fire performers and drummers lead into a procession with pipe bands and Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad through the Old Town. The event page gives the current procession details and ticket information (opens in a new tab).
• Wednesday, 30 December: The Night Afore Party takes place in West Princes Street Gardens. The Fratellis are announced as the 2026 headliners, with special guests; see the organizer’s line-up announcement (opens in a new tab).
• Thursday, 31 December: The Street Party on Princes Street starts at 20:00. Its programme includes live music, DJs, street theatre, food and drink, and a midnight celebration with fireworks from Edinburgh Castle. The official Street Party page (opens in a new tab) lists the current entry details. Underworld will provide a live soundtrack for the Midnight Moment in West Princes Street Gardens.
• Friday, 1 January: First Footin’ brings free and ticketed music events to venues across the city. The wider programme includes indoor ceilidhs, comedy and family events. Check the First Footin’ information (opens in a new tab) for the final venue list and which performances need tickets.

What the festival is like

The Torchlight Procession opens the festival with a crowd carrying torches through Edinburgh’s Old Town alongside pipers, drummers and performers. For the 2026 procession, the organizer says £2 from each torch ticket and £1 from each additional procession ticket will go to local charity partners. These donations are collected when tickets are purchased.

McEwan Hall becomes a Festival Club for 2026, with Scottish music, comedy, ceilidh and conversation events. The Night Afore Party and the New Year’s Eve Street Party have separate programmes and locations. At midnight, fireworks over Edinburgh Castle accompany Underworld’s live soundtrack for the Midnight Moment. On New Year’s Day, First Footin’ spreads music across city venues, with free and ticketed events.

Tickets, age limits and official updates

Use the links on each event page to check what is still available and whether a particular performance is free or ticketed. The organizer lists edinburghshogmanay.com, Ticketmaster and Tickets Scotland (opens in a new tab) as official ticket sellers and says there is no authorized resale. Avoid tickets offered on resale sites that the organizer does not list.

Age rules differ by event. The Street Party, Night Afore Party and Hogmanay in the Gardens are listed as 12+, and anyone under 16 must have a full-price ticket and attend with an adult aged 18 or over. Other programme events have their own restrictions, so check the warning on the relevant listing before booking for a family.

Several of the headline outdoor events are standing-room gatherings in Scottish winter weather. The organizer recommends sturdy shoes and weatherproof clothing when needed; umbrellas are not allowed. Check the live event page close to your visit because ticket conditions, access arrangements and schedules can change.

Getting to Edinburgh and around the city

Edinburgh Airport’s tram runs to the city centre in about 30 minutes and continues toward Newhaven. Stops include Princes Street and St Andrew Square; Waverley railway station and the bus station are a short walk from St Andrew Square. See the airport’s tram information (opens in a new tab) and Edinburgh Trams’ route map and stops (opens in a new tab) when planning your arrival.

Venues are spread across the city centre, so check the address and entry gate for each event. If you are staying overnight, compare Edinburgh accommodation (opens in a new tab) with the events you plan to attend. Leave time to walk between venues and check current public-transport notices for your travel dates, especially for late journeys on New Year’s Eve.

Access and practical planning

The Torchlight Procession route is approximately 1.5 km and includes roads, cobbled streets and public paths. It is an all-standing event with no seating. The Street Party is also all standing, and the organizer says accessible viewing spaces are limited. Contact the event box office in advance about access arrangements, a suitable event or a Personal Assistant ticket. The organizer’s access information (opens in a new tab) describes the current arrangements for each venue.

Plan for cold, possibly wet weather and expect busy streets around the main events. Keep your ticket details easy to reach and read the latest entry rules before setting out.

Common questions

When is Edinburgh’s Hogmanay in 2026?

The announced festival dates are 29 December 2026 to 1 January 2027. The Torchlight Procession opens the programme on 29 December, and First Footin’ closes it on New Year’s Day.

Is the New Year’s Day programme free?

First Footin’ includes both free and ticketed events. Check its event listings for the cost and entry requirements of each performance.

Can children attend?

Some events are designed for families, but age restrictions vary. The Street Party, Night Afore Party and Hogmanay in the Gardens are 12+; visitors under 16 need a full-price ticket and an adult aged 18 or over. Check individual event pages for current rules.