LAST FEW TICKETS REMAINING FOR FOUR-DAY FESTIVAL TO RING IN 2024
The countdown to the New Year has begun as Edinburgh’s Hogmanay prepares for its 30th anniversary celebrations with four days of events to ring in 2024.
Local residents and visitors from across the globe will come together to bid farewell to the final few days of 2023 and welcome in the New Year with an unmissable programme of live music, exceptional entertainment including the world-class Midnight Moment fireworks and a celebration like no other at Edinburgh’s Street Party extravaganza.
This year’s events will mark 30 years since the very first Edinburgh Hogmanay Festival in 1993, with a four-day take-over of venues across the city’s Old and New Towns from Friday 29 December 2023 until Monday 1 January 2024 including live music, comedy, candlelit concerts, ceilidhs and family-friendly events.
The jam-packed programme will see a host of musicians and performers entertain audiences across the city at 14 events across four days including; 10,000 flaming torches, 24 hours of live music, 30 Vikings at the Torchlight Procession, over 50 street performers at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party including drummers and stilt walkers, and four firework moments including the all-important New Year fireworks at the highly anticipated Midnight Moment.
The 30th anniversary celebrations begin on Friday 29 December as the Torchlight Procession returns for the first time since 2019 with up to 20,000 participants blazing a trail through Edinburgh, creating a river of fire through the Old Town led by Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad.
The procession begins in the Meadows for the first time ever, with pre-procession family-friendly entertainment from fire performers, street theatre, pipe bands and drummers, culminating with participants extinguishing their torches through an Avenue of Fire on Castle Terrace
Over in the city’s New Town, enjoy a side-splitting night of live comedy at Ho-Ho-Hogmanay with an all-star line-up at the Assembly Rooms including Susie McCabe, Larry Dean, Fred MacAulay and hosted by Emmanuel Sonubi.
Getting into the party spirit, the Night Afore Disco Party with Greatest Hits Radio in West Princes Street Gardens on Saturday 30 December sees a headline performance from ABBA sensations Björn Again joined by the fringe festival smash-hit Massaoke, for the ultimate party night out and the perfect Saturday night soundtrack to round off the year with ABBA’s greatest hits and pop classics.
Meanwhile, it will be a hometown show to remember for Edinburgh born singer-songwriter Ross Wilson aka Blue Rose Code addressing universal themes of love, loss, home and faith in a deeply personal way and seamlessly blend folk, Americana, jazz, soul and pop influences into something truly unique at the Night Afore Hoolie with special guests Caley Soul Band, Dean Owens and more at the Assembly Rooms.
A Scottish Film Series in the Piccolo at St Andrews Square sees Scottish classics – From Scotland with Love, favourite coming of age romantic comedy Gregory’s Girl, rounding off with Irvine Welsh’s modern classic Trainspotting.
For Hogmanay itself, ensure the kids aren’t left out of the celebrations with Bairns New Year Revels – a family-friendly daytime party in the Assembly Rooms including live music, Massaoke and ceilidh dancing.
One for the grown-ups, enjoy Edinburgh’s original indoor Hogmanay party as the New Year Revels returns to Assembly Rooms with a dedicated ceilidh room so revellers can birl’ through the bells and the ultimate singalong soundtrack with Massaoke.
Plus, the stunning sold out Candlelit Concert in St. Giles’ Cathedral will see guests enjoy music from J.S.Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.
The main event kicks off from 9pm on Sunday 31 December as the world-famous Street Party welcomes 40,000 attendees from across the globe to bring in the bells in the way only Scotland can.
This year visitors can enjoy everything from a Silent Disco with partners Silent Adventures in the Disco Zone, to thrill rides; stilt walkers to steel drums, street food and Hogmanay Bars, as well as festival headliners Pulp relayed onto Giant Screens across the arena, plus a night of Scottish music at the Tartan Zone on Waverley Bridge from the Hannah Fisher Ceilidh Band and Kinnaris Quintet, headlined by Elephant Sessions.
Whilst at the Concert in the Gardens, cultural icons Pulp play the final show of 2023 and the very first of 2024 with support from Hot Chip (DJ set) punctuated by breathtaking fireworks from Edinburgh Castle. Visible across the Edinburgh Skyline, hourly countdown fireworks from 9pm will culminate in the all-important spectacular Midnight Moment firework and music display from Edinburgh Castle.
The party doesn’t end with the bells, with a full day of free entertainment across the city on New Year’s Day. Family-friendly fun continues with Sprogmanay at the National Museum of Scotland and Assembly Roxy with from Sprog Rock, Magic Gareth, live ceilidhs and the very special Unicorn Dance Party.
Finally, wrapping up the epic four days of festivities is First Footin’, a free music and cultural trail showcasing a programme of live music throughout the city featuring performances from Lau, Bemz, Hot Chip, Kathryn Joseph and many more in iconic venues such as Greyfriars Kirk, Virgin Hotel, Assembly Rooms and more.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I’m sure I speak for the whole city when I say how excited I am for the 30th anniversary edition of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
“From the incredible Torchlight Procession through to Pulp seeing us into 2024 and so much more we’re really fortunate to have such excellent events on offer for our residents and visitors. The First Footin’ showcases an excellent range of free music and performance from Scottish rap artists to jazz, alt-rock and more.
“Not only is Hogmanay an Edinburgh institution but it is also a major contributor to our city’s economy, providing jobs and commercial opportunities for our local residents and businesses.
“This is a time where we can celebrate the best of our city as one-year closes and look ahead with pride and positivity to the next. I want to thank the organisers, our partners and of course Council colleagues who have worked tirelessly on this event and will continue to in the coming days.
“I wish everyone in the Capital a fantastic Hogmanay and a very happy New Year.”
Festival Directors for UniqueAssembly who produce Edinburgh’s Hogmanay on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council added: “It’s a particularly special year as we mark the 30th anniversary of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay with a spectacular four-day programme jam-packed with events.
“We’re thrilled to bring back traditional Hogmanay events such as the Torchlight Procession and the original indoor Hogmanay party the New Year Revels, as well as welcoming this year’s incredible headliners Pulp to entertain the Concert in the Gardens.
“Whether you’re heading along for a disco dance at the Night Afore, a family ceilidh at Bairns New Year Revels or enjoying some laughs at Ho-Ho-Hogmanay, we’re looking forward to welcoming old friends and new across this year’s events.”
Further information and final tickets for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 30th anniversary celebrations are available www.edinburghshogmanay.com.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is created and produced by UniqueAssembly on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council, with Major Event Partners EventScotland, Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund and supported by Essential Edinburgh, Innis & Gunn and Cold Town Beer.
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