Edinburgh Hogmanay: A Grand New Year’s Party in Scotland

 

It’s steeped in local traditions. It’s thrilling. It’s WILD! In case you are in Edinburgh, Scotland this December, especially as the New Year dawns, chances are you’ve invited yourself to the best and biggest New Year Party the world has ever known. Famous as the Edinburgh Hogmanay, this celebratory extravaganza lasts three days (if not more) beginning December 30 with a host of electrifying shows, concerts, street parties and the bizarre but oh so exhilarating Loony Dook! Here’s giving you a low down on how Scotland parties to usher in the New Year, a tradition which has earned it a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest New Year’s party in the world!

 

The Torchbearers for Coming Days

Scotland’s Edinburgh Hogmanay typically begins with an extraordinary torchlight procession right out of the Vikings era. Thousands of men, donned in costumes comprising breastplates, breeches, cloaks and helms walk down in a procession from the Old Town through Princess Street on their way to Calton Hill, holding flaming torches. The procession is accompanied with the sound of pipes and drums in a stunning display of pageantry which appears straight out of the pagan times. The night ends with a brilliant fireworks display.

 

A Candlelit Concert and The Keilidh

The New Year is brought in with two fascinating events. The candlelit concert is held at the St Giles’ Cathedral, an idyllic backdrop considering its rich and ancient history trailing back to the 12^th century. The show is very popular and runs to packed houses. You can expect to be dazzled by the beauty and talent of the St Giles’ Cathedral Choir, the St Giles’ Camerata and some very talented soloists who bring forth the most loved and well-known music of Handel and Mozart.

While the serene and peace loving enjoy their concert, those with a wild side to them can go ahead and let their hair down at the Keilidh – one of the world’s biggest street parties with traditional Scottish music and dance. Get into the groove with thousands of people gathered on the Mound Precinct from around 9 pm and continue grooving well past midnight.

Party Away On The Street

This could well be your chance to be a part of the world’s biggest street party with as many as 80,000 people dancing their blues away as they usher in the New Year. Held beneath the famous Edinburgh Castle, the event comprises live music, entertainment, DJs, an outdoor bar, and a brilliant midnight fireworks display.

 

Get loony at the Loony Dook

To round off the crazy days and nights of dance, music and high spirited fun, visitors and locals alike participate in the Loony Dook, another one of its kind event. Here again thousands of people, several dressed up in fancy dress costumes, will take a dip in the freezing River Forth, against the background of the iconic Forth Rail Bridge to get over the party hangover before they begin a fresh round of the famous Scottish pubs and delis. You can also loony yourself and take a dip, or just cheer the others on!

Do something different this New Year’s eve, participate in the Hogmanay! For all flight and hotel bookings, log onto MakeMyTrip.com!