Hogmanay Events in Scotland 2026

Edinburgh's Hogmanay is one of the world's best-known New Year celebrations, centred on the ticketed street party on Princes Street with live music and midnight fireworks from the castle. The festivities usually run for several days, including the torchlight procession through the Old Town in the days before New Year's Eve.

Tickets for the street party sell out well in advance, so book as early as you can. If you'd rather skip the crowds, the fireworks are visible for free from Calton Hill, Salisbury Crags and Inverleith Park — arrive well before midnight for a spot.

Just south of Aberdeen, Stonehaven's Fireballs Ceremony is a Hogmanay tradition like nowhere else: at midnight, local swingers parade the High Street and harbour whirling balls of burning material around their heads to see off the old year. It's free to watch and draws thousands of spectators to the harbour.

The ceremony lasts around half an hour after the midnight bells. Wrap up warm, arrive early for a harbour-side spot, and check local travel — trains and buses run limited Hogmanay services.

Inverness traditionally celebrates with free live music in the city centre, and this year RhythmnReel play a Hogmanay show on 30 December with Rock of the Ages on New Year's Eve itself. Highland hotels and village halls across the region run ticketed ceilidhs — the classic Scottish way to dance into the New Year.

Elsewhere, Kelso hosts its Festive Fling raceday on 29 December, and Dumfries has Hogmanay stays and New Year's Day entertainment. Smaller towns often centre on a community ceilidh or fireworks at the local harbour or castle.

The celebrating doesn't stop at midnight. New Year's Day brings everything from gigs and comedy — like Count Arthur Strong's final tour date in Edinburgh — to the famous Loony Dook, where brave souls plunge into the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry in fancy dress.

Many attractions and galleries open on 1 January, and it's a quieter day to explore city centres while the crowds recover.