The Edinburgh Hogmanay torchlight procession is a fiery spectacle in the heart of the city, where over 20,000 torchbearers carry burning candles through the city streets to celebrate the coming of the new year. The procession ends in Holyrood Park, where music is staged alongside a fireworks display for the ultimate feel-good experience.
Overview
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival is one of the world’s biggest celebrations of the new year, where an incredible 100,000 visitors (on average) descend on the city to enjoy three days of spectacular events.
From the wild street party on Princes Street, where revellers party under the striking backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, to the impressive fireworks display that lights up the midnight sky, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is a riot of colour and sound that has to be seen to be believed.
One of the highlights of the Hogmanay festival is the torchlight procession, which sees the city come alive with over 20,000 people carrying burning torches through the city centre towards their final destination in Holyrood Park.
Not only are there a huge number of people in the procession, but the event is such a spectacle that it regularly draws another 20,000 people who come to watch the river of fire as it makes its way down The Royal Mile. In addition to the torchbearers, there are pipers and drummers who create a carnival atmosphere during the procession, which culminates in a mini-festival featuring live music and a fireworks display at the foot of Holyrood Park.
The Highlights
1: The torchlight procession creates a river of light flowing through the heart of Edinburgh’s historic city centre. Thousands of participants carry torches, illuminating the night and creating a warm, communal atmosphere. This procession culminates in a dramatic finale of a fireworks show set against the backdrop of Edinburgh’s unique skyline.
2: The procession is designed to be an inclusive event that families, individuals, and groups of all ages can enjoy. The procession route is usually planned to be accessible, allowing everyone to take part or watch from the sidelines. The blend of light, music, and community spirit makes it a unique and memorable way for families to take part in one of Edinburgh’s most iconic celebrations.
3: The facilities and entertainment at Holyrood Park are great, especially the live music stage which provides a real party atmosphere. There are lots of food stalls too, and the pipers and drummers give the event a unique sense of ceremony.
Visiting Tips
1: The procession can take over an hour to actually start moving, and it can get rather chilly standing around doing nothing. The last time I joined the procession, I took one of these hand warmers (Amazon link) with me and I have to say it was money well spent.
2: Don’t wear an expensive jacket because all that hot wax goes everywhere (that’s from personal experience). You might be careful with your candle, but that doesn’t mean everyone else will be…
3: There’s much more to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay than the torchlight procession. See the official website for details.
Tourist Information
Due to the number of people that attend the event it now starts from three different positions around the Royal Mile – outside St. Giles Cathedral, near The Balmoral Hotel on North Bridge, and the South Bridge.
As you make your way into the queue, you’ll be given a torch, which is actually a giant paraffin wax candle, and will then wait until all three sites are ready to move off. Once the three enormous crowds begin moving, you’ll be able to light your torch and you’ll slowly make your way to Holyrood Park. It might not sound like a big deal when reading about it online, but the atmosphere is an amazing thing to experience, with thousands of burning torches lighting up the night sky.
Look all around you, and you’ll see what looks like a river of fire as far as you can see in either direction, which is one of the reasons why Edinburgh’s Hogmanay was added to the Discovery Channel’s Top 25 World Travel Experiences.
The crowds are led to the endpoint in Holyrood Park by Shetland’s Up Helly Aa Vikings who have been leading the event since its earliest days. Each year sees the procession end with a different theme, such as a final route through the park that looks like a map of Scotland when viewed from above.
The culmination of the entire event is a festival in Holyrood Park which sees a variety of entertainment including live music, lots of food stalls, and a spectacular fireworks finale from Calton Hill. This was probably the highlight of the event for me, and it was a great way to ease into the following day’s New Year celebrations, with the iconic Calton Hill lit up by a blaze of lights and explosions. What a sight!
The only negative I can think of for this event is that the procession takes a while to get moving (up to an hour) because there are so many people in the queue. It would be much better if the organisers sold fewer tickets, but maybe they’ll sort this out in future years.
Edinburgh Hogmanay Map
Edinburgh city centre venues:
- St. Giles Cathedral
- North Bridge
- South Bridge
- Holyrood Park
Things to Do
Join the Torchlight Procession: Kick off your Hogmanay celebrations by joining the spectacular Torchlight Procession. You’ll be one amongst thousands of torchbearers illuminating the city’s streets, creating a river of fire from the historic Royal Mile to the finale at the foot of Holyrood Park.
Attend the Concert in the Park: The green space on Queen’s Drive comes alive during the Hogmanay Procession with food and drinks stalls and live music from a huge custom-built sound stage. It’s a great party atmosphere where all ages are welcome.
Witness the Fireworks Display: As the event draws to a close, prepare to be astounded by an awe-inspiring fireworks display. The sky above Calton Hill is set ablaze with colour in a mesmerizing spectacle of fireworks that has to be seen to be believed.
Experience the Street Party: After the procession, immerse yourself in the world’s biggest New Year bash, the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party. This vibrant festival features live music and DJs coupled with a unique blend of traditional Scottish music.
Participate in the Loony Dook: For the adventurous, this is a unique and somewhat chilly way to start the New Year. Brave the icy waters of the Firth of Forth in South Queensferry in this annual charity event. It’s a fun, albeit extremely cold, way to shake off the previous night’s celebrations and start the New Year with a splash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch the Hogmanay fireworks in Edinburgh?
Here are some of the best spots to watch the Hogmanay fireworks in Edinburgh:
Princes Street Gardens: This central location offers an excellent view of Edinburgh Castle where the fireworks are launched.
Calton Hill: A bit of a climb, but the panoramic views of the city and the fireworks display are worth it.
Arthur’s Seat: Another high vantage point, Arthur’s Seat offers a unique view. Remember, it’s quite a hike, so be prepared.
Grassmarket: Located directly below the Castle, the historic Grassmarket area offers a great view of the fireworks.
What is the torchlight procession in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh’s torchlight procession is an annual event that occurs each year at the end of December.
The festival involves thousands of event-goers carrying burning torches through the city to Holyrood Park.
The festival can be traced to pre-Christian festivals when Vikings celebrated the winter solstice.
Where does the torchlight procession start?
The torchlight procession starts at three places; Waverley Bridge, Bristo Square, and outside St. Giles Cathedral.
What visitor facilities are there at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay?
Visitor facilities at Holyrood Park for the Hogmanay event include food stalls and public toilets. Car parks at Holyrood Park are closed for the Hogmanay celebrations.
