Hogmanay – The Most Epic New Year’s Celebration You’ve Never Heard Of
I wrote earlier this year that August is the best time to be in Edinburgh, Scotland, thanks to all the festivals taking place during that time of year.
Well, I may have to amend that statement to read “August is one of the best times to be in Edinburgh.”
Why? Because I've just experienced the Scottish capital during the New Year's festival of Hogmanay, and It. Was. Awesome.
What is Hogmanay?
For hundreds of years, the Scots have been ringing in the New Year by celebrating “Hogmanay,” or the last day of the year. The name, in fact, can be traced all the way back to the year 1604, with some of the accompanying traditions going back much further. Traditions having to do with Vikings and fire and friendship and food.
The modern-day Hogmanay celebrations (which just celebrated their 20-year mark) actually aren't a whole lot different. There's still fire and food and Vikings – along with much, much more.
Unlike other well-known New Years celebrations around the world, Hogmanay doesn't last just one night. Yes, New York might have a giant party in Times Square and Sydney might have spectacular fireworks. But does either one of those have Vikings? Or ceilidh dancing? Or fireworks above a castle?
I think not.
Edinburgh does, though. Read on to learn about some of the highlights of my Hogmanay experience.
Highlights from Edinburgh's Hogmanay
1. Edinburgh dressed up for the holidays
Edinburgh around the holidays is just plain fun. There's a German market on The Mound where you can ride a Ferris wheel or sip some mulled wine. There's an ice skating rink that's fun for all ages. And there's a street carnival nearby that adds some additional color to the city.
2. The Torchlight Procession
Each year on Dec. 30, thousands gather in Edinburgh for the Torchlight Procession. This isn't an event people generally know about unless they've been to Hogmanay, but it's 100% worth knowing about.
Thousands of people march from the city center to Calton Hill with flaming torches of burlap and wax, led by pipes and drums and the Up Helly Aa' Vikings from the Shetland islands. Yes — fire AND Vikings!
The year I participated, over 40,000 people either took part or watched the procession, which ended with the Son et Lumiere finale atop Calton Hill.
3. Street Party, the Keilidh, and Concert in the Gardens
On New Year's Eve is when it all happens. And when I say all, I mean ALL. The Hogmanay events on NYE are ridiculous.
First there's the Street Party, with music and food and drinking (I mean, it's not Scotland without the drinking!), turning Princes Street into the place to be for more than 80,000 people. There are also concerts going on on multiple stages throughout the city, as well as a massive ceilidh dance.
The headliners the year I went were Simple Minds (made famous by their “Breakfast Club” theme, “Don't You (Forget About Me)”). They played on a giant stage in the gardens below Edinburgh Castle — you certainly couldn't beat the location!
4. The Bells
And of course there are the fireworks at midnight. With sneak previews every hour between 8 p.m. and midnight, the display to ring in 2013 did not disappoint — the ground was literally shaking underfoot at one point as thousands of colorful fireworks burst above Edinburgh Castle.
Kudos to the guys who spent 6 days setting the show up — it was fantastic.
The fireworks were followed by everyone linking arms and singing “Auld Lang Syne” — a tradition that began right here in Scotland.
5. The Loony Dook
I can't think of a better way to ring in a new year than throwing myself into a freezing cold river — can you?
This year, I took part in the Loony Dook on New Year's Day, which consists of about a thousand people in silly costumes parading through the town of South Queensferry and then plunging into the River Forth. Yes it was cold, and yes it was crazy. But it was also SO MUCH FUN.
6. Art on New Years Day
On New Year's Day, there were all sorts of things going on around Edinburgh, from a triathlon, to “Dogmanay,” to various performances all around the city.
The day came to a close with The Big Bang, a trippy visual art performance that was supposed to portray the history of the universe.
Considering how little I had known about Hogmanay before agreeing to take part in #Blogmanay, it's safe to say that the event took me by surprise time and time again.
Each day of the celebrations was memorable in its own way, and this is definitely an event I'd recommend if you want to have an epic New Years abroad!
READ NEXT: The Perfect Itinerary for 3 Days in Edinburgh, Scotland
Is Hogmanay going on YOUR bucket list?
This campaign is brought to you by Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and is supported by VisitScotland, ETAG, Edinburgh Festivals, Haggis Adventures and Skyscanner. The campaign bloggers were sourced and managed by iambassador. As always, though, all opinions are my own.
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
[…] in Scotland’s capital city don’t just last for one night. In fact, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay lasts for up to three whole days. It begins on December 30 with the Torchlight Procession, when […]
Hi Amanda,
Thanks to this wonderful post I got inspired to do the same for NYE of 2015. I was wondering though if you can combine Hogmanay with a citytrip to Edinburgh or is everything closed for the holidays?
You definitely can pair a Hogmanay trip with a trip to Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland! The city is a popular New Year’s spot in Europe, so you don’t have to worry about things being closed!
Thanks a bunch Amanda! Now I can look forward to double the fun 🙂
[…] most memorable New Year’s Eve EVER happened in Edinburgh, Scotland — and here’s the midnight moment, with fireworks […]
[…] >> Read more about the epicness that is Hogmanay. […]
[…] had the opportunity to say farewell to one year and welcome a new one in Scotland. Participating in Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations was a huge highlight of both 2012 and 2013 for me, and these days I’m constantly daydreaming […]
This sounds truly awesome. I’m gunna be in Europe this new years so might have to get myself to this 😀
The Loony Dook sounds like something Id be down for 😀
Definitely do it!!! The most fun I’ve ever had at New Year’s.
[…] New Year’s at Hogmanay in Edinburgh, Scotland […]
[…] plan was thus: I would be spending 9 days in Scotland for New Years (Scotland, notorious for its unpredictable weather, especially during the winter months), and then […]
Looks like a fun place to celebrate new years! And I love your hats, I have a panda one myself 🙂
The hats definitely made the outfits. 😉
[…] Hogmanay – The Most Epic New Year’s Celebration You’ve Never Heard Of The Hogmanay Torchlight Procession By DangerousBiz On January 14, 2013 · 20 Comments […]
Neve heard of it before, and would usually not look for something like that, yet I really like how there seems to be activities and attractions for various tastes.
Yeah, the variety of activities was great! And the fact that the celebrations last for days was very cool.
[…] Hogmanay – The Most Epic New Year’s Celebration You’ve Never Heard Of The Hogmanay Torchlight Procession By DangerousBiz On January 14, 2013 · Add Comment […]
Looks like a great way to celebrate New Year. The Scottish sure no how to party, but I think I’ll give submersing myself in freezing waters the next morning a miss.
Lol there’s no love at all for the Loony Dook! Just you wait until I write about it… it was so much fun!