Scotland celebrates New Year with a multi-day festival that fills Edinburgh’s Old Town with pipers, fireworks and music. Here is what is on from 29 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, which events need tickets, and how to plan your trip.
Quick Answer
- Dates: 29 December 2026 to 1 January 2027
- Main night: Thursday 31 December 2026
- Street Party: From 20:00 on Princes Street, ending with Castle fireworks
- Free option: First Footin’ music trail on 1 January
- Tickets: Street Party and Concert in the Gardens are separate; buy from the official festival site
What Is Edinburgh’s Hogmanay?
Hogmanay is the Scots word for New Year’s Eve, and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is the city’s multi-day winter festival around it. The 2026/27 edition runs from 29 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, with the main night on Thursday 31 December, according to the festival’s official tourism listings.
The festival opens with a Torchlight Procession, in which tens of thousands of people walk through the Old Town led by pipers, drummers and Up Helly Aa’ guizers from Shetland, according to the festival. It closes on New Year’s Day with a free live-music trail.
A cobbled Old Town street glowing at dusk
What Events Make Up Hogmanay 2026/27?
| Event | When | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Torchlight Procession | Opens the festival | Tens of thousands walk through the Old Town; exact date confirmed by the festival |
| Julie Fowlis with Pippa Blundell | 30 December 2026, 18:00 | Listed on the official festival site |
| Street Party | 31 December 2026, from 20:00 | On Princes Street; ends with the Midnight Moment fireworks from Edinburgh Castle; ticketed |
| Concert in the Gardens | 31 December 2026 | Ticketed concert beneath the Castle; Underworld have been reported as headliners |
| First Footin’ | 1 January 2027 | Free, unticketed live-music trail across the city |
How Do You Plan Hogmanay Step by Step?
- Pick your night. The Street Party and Concert in the Gardens are separate tickets, and a Street Party ticket does not get you into the Concert.
- Buy tickets only from the official festival site (edinburghshogmanay.com), where 2026 ticket details were still being finalised at the time of writing.
- Book accommodation early. New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of Edinburgh’s year, so rooms near the Old Town fill first.
- Plan your 31 December. Arrive on Princes Street before the 20:00 start and decide in advance how you will get home after the fireworks.
- Keep 1 January free for the First Footin’ music trail, which needs no ticket.
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Which Hogmanay Option Suits You?
| If you want… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The big outdoor party | Street Party | Princes Street celebration with the Castle fireworks at midnight |
| A headline concert | Concert in the Gardens | Ticketed show beneath the Castle |
| Something free and low-key | First Footin’ | Unticketed live music on New Year’s Day |
| A traditional start | Torchlight Procession | Pipers and drummers through the Old Town |
Planning More Winter Travel?
Frequently Asked Questions About Hogmanay
When is Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2026/27?
The festival runs from 29 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, with the main night on Thursday 31 December 2026.
Do you need a ticket for the Hogmanay Street Party?
Yes. The Street Party on Princes Street is ticketed, and a Street Party ticket does not include the Concert in the Gardens. Check the official festival site for current availability.
Is anything at Hogmanay free?
First Footin’, the live-music trail across Edinburgh on New Year’s Day, is free and unticketed according to the festival.
What time does the Street Party start?
The 31 December 2026 Street Party starts at 20:00 on Princes Street and ends with the Midnight Moment fireworks from Edinburgh Castle.
Final Thoughts
Hogmanay works best when you decide early which night you want and buy tickets from the official site only. Pair the Street Party or concert with the free First Footin’ trail on New Year’s Day for a full Edinburgh welcome to 2027.
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