\n Organisers Unique Assembly, who were forced to cancel last year\u2019s events due to severe weather, are now anticipating a strong comeback, with tickets expected to sell out thanks to dry forecasts for the days ahead.\n<\/p>\n
\n Read more<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \n Penny Dougherty, director of the consortium contracted by the council to deliver the four-day Hogmanay programme, said last night’s torchlight procession from the Meadows through the Old Town \u201csignals the start of New Year celebrations around the world\u201d.\n<\/p>\n \n And Edinburgh\u2019s new year party is set for its most global audience yet, with CNN confirming the celebrations will feature in its countdown coverage \u2014 expected to reach over half a billion households worldwide.\n<\/p>\n \n “The majority of our events are outdoors,” Ms Dougherty added, reminding attendees to “dress appropriately, dress up warm”.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cThere are hundreds of people who are working tirelessly to make sure the city looks and feels its best after last year\u2019s disappointment.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cEveryone is welcome in Edinburgh and remember, no Scotland, no party.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Tickets remain available for most events in the official Hogmanay programme, but organisers warn they\u2019re in short supply and urge anyone planning to buy to act fast before they sell out.\n<\/p>\n Tuesday, December 30, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n \n Events<\/a> on Tuesday kick off with the Night Afore Concert with Peat & Diesel<\/strong> in Princes Street Gardens, starting at 6pm. Tickets start from \u00a323.50.\n<\/p>\n \n It promises a barnstorming open-air set from the Scottish folk rock band .with support from Scottish accordion sensation RuMac and ‘C\u00e8il-tech’ DJ Levi Heron.\n<\/p>\n \n As revealed by The Herald, organisers have been forced to agree a last-minute name change for the event<\/a>, previously billed as the Night Afore Hoolie, before musician Gary Innes, who is behind Glasgow’s Hoolie in the Hydro, told Unique Assembly he had trademarked the word Hoolie.\n<\/p>\n \n From 7.45pm St Giles Cathedral on the High Street is hosting LAU by Candlelight<\/strong>. The candlelit concert hosted in one of Edinburgh’s most historic buildings will see the acclaimed folk trio comprising Kris Drever (guitar, vocals), Martin Green (accordion) and Aidan O\u2019Rourke (fiddle) “strip away their banks of electronics, loops and wild effects, for a performance less about spectacle and more about close listening and reflection”. Tickets are sold out.\n<\/p>\n \n For those after a different vibe, Scottish indie rock band Glasvegas<\/strong> will be performing an acoustic set at the Assembly Rooms from 7.45pm. Tickets from \u00a322.50.\n<\/p>\n \n Also at the Assembly Rooms, from 10pm, comedian Susie McCabe hosts Ho-Ho-Hogmanay<\/strong>, a night of stand-up comedy also featuring Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, Larry Dean and Ayo Adenekan. Tickets, still available online through the Edinburgh Winter Festival website, start at \u00a322.50.\n<\/p>\n Wednesday, December 31, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n \n New Year’s Eve celebrations kick off in the afternoon with the Bairns Hogmanay Ceilidh Club<\/strong> at the Assembly Rooms. This family ceilidh, advertised as being suitable for ages six and above, welcomes attendees from 1.15pm with the event starting at 2pm. Tickets are still on sale with prices starting at \u00a317.50.\n<\/p>\n \n Then, at 6pm St Giles Cathedral will host another sold-out candle-lit concert, where classical music from the likes of Bach and Mozart will be performed by the St. Giles’ Cathedral Choir<\/strong>, St. Giles’ Camerata and an array of young soloists.\n<\/p>\n \n As the countdown to the bells begins, the Concert in the Gardens<\/strong> kicks off at 8pm with Lucia & The Best Boys taking to the Ross Bandstand stage, followed by Hamish Hawk at 10pm. Headliners Wet Leg will play their first set at 11.10pm. Following the world-famous firework display over Edinburgh Castle as the clock strikes midnight, the band will return to the stage at around 10 past midnight and continue playing until shortly before 1am. Tickets are still available and start at \u00a373.\n<\/p>\n \n A short walk away, Edinburgh’s renowned Hogmanay Street Party<\/strong> will be taking place along Princes Street featuring “DJ\u2019s, Giant Screens, International Street Theatre<\/a>, Pipers, Drummers and funfair attractions”. There will also be a silent disco zone, which attendees must pre-pay extra for. The street party also starts at 8pm and tickets start at \u00a333 and are expected to sell out in advance.\n<\/p>\n Thursday, January 1, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n \n The party continues on New Year’s Day with free, family-friendly events taking place across the city.\n<\/p>\n \n Along Edinburgh’s coastline some will be braving ice waters for a Loony Dook<\/strong> – a tradition that sees people take a dip on January 1 to blow away the cobwebs. This usually starts around early afternoon and many take part in fancy dress. Popular spots include South Queensferry – where the tradition was started – and Portobello Beach. Previously included in the official Hogmanay programme, the Loony Dook is now managed individually by local residents.\n<\/p>\n \n Throughout the day there will be free live music performances in pubs and bars across Edinburgh in the First Footin\u2019 Sessions<\/strong>. Venues include Cold Town House, the Black Bull, Copper Blossom, Boozy Cow, The Huxley, Element and Auld Hundred. Information about the free, unticketed events can be found on the Winter Festivals site.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n