Edinburgh’s Dogmanay

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is the official New Year celebration held annually in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. First formally organised in 1993, the event has grown into one of the world’s largest New Year festivals, attracting visitors from across the UK and internationally to celebrate the arrival of the new year in the city’s historic centre.

The celebrations typically run for several days between late December and New Year’s Day, combining traditional Scottish customs with large-scale public events. Activities commonly include the Torchlight Procession through the Old Town, live music performances, street parties, ceilidhs, and a midnight fireworks display launched from Edinburgh Castle.

Today Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is recognised as one of Scotland’s most famous cultural events. With tens of thousands of attendees each year and global media coverage of its midnight fireworks, the festival has become a major winter attraction that showcases Scottish traditions while bringing large audiences together to welcome the new year.