Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2025-2026 marked a triumphant return as Scotland’s capital hosted four days of spectacular celebrations. It cemented its reputation as the home of Hogmanay and one of the world’s greatest New Year festivals.
From the fiery opening of the Torchlight Procession to the iconic Midnight Moment fireworks, the packed programme of music, comedy, and culture welcomed tens of thousands of visitors and reached millions more worldwide.
The festivities began on 29 December with the sold-out Torchlight Procession, delivered in partnership with our EventScotland team.
More than 15,000 torchbearers and 10,000 spectators created a dramatic "river of fire" through Edinburgh’s historic streets. The event also raised over £40,000 for local charities.
Scotland goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, led the procession alongside Vikings from Shetland’s Up Helly Aa Jarl Squad. This ignited four days of celebration rooted in Scottish tradition.
Across the following nights, the city came alive with headline acts and cultural highlights. Peat & Diesel rocked the Night Afore Concert, Glasvegas delivered an intimate acoustic set, and Ho-Ho-Hogmanay brought laughter to the Assembly Rooms.
Scotland goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, leading the 2025 Torchlight Procession. Credit: Ryan Buchanan
On Hogmanay itself, partygoers enjoyed a diverse programme of live music, DJ sets, indoor ceilidhs and street performers across the Old and New Town.
More than 50,000 revellers packed the sold-out Street Party and Concert in the Gardens. Grammy-winning indie rockers, Wet Leg, headlined alongside Scottish stars, Hamish Hawk and Lucia & The Best Boys.
The hugely popular Tartan Zone was headlined by Valtos. The electro-trad duo created a brand-new rendition of Auld Lang Syne that was played out en masse at the Street Party, shining a light on Scotland’s up and coming trad talent.
Valtos were joined by folk favourites, The Poozies and world-class ceilidh outfit, Bella McNab Dance Band, drawing impressive crowds throughout the evening as music fans partied the night away.
Elsewhere, the Street Party’s DJ Zone ;delivered non-stop energy with a headline set from Belgian dance legends, 2manydjs, as well as Glasgow DJ, Hayley Zalassi.
Nearby, the Silent Disco Zone on Waverley Bridge saw crowds dancing together to their own soundtrack beneath city lights.
As the clocks struck midnight, fireworks lit up Edinburgh Castle for 6.5 minutes of breathtaking pyrotechnics, choreographed to a soundtrack of Scottish music icons, including Lewis Capaldi, Eurythmics, and Simple Minds.
This year’s celebrations also shone on the global stage as CNN broadcast live from Edinburgh as part of its 18-hour worldwide New Year programme, reaching over 500 million households across the US, UK, Asia, and Europe.
For the first time, the festival also offered free livestreams of its First Footin’ programme on New Year’s Day. Performances from St Giles’ and Greyfriars Kirk were shared with audiences worldwide.
Scotland is proud to be taking centre stage on CNN as part of their New Year coverage from around the world.
This is a unique opportunity offering viewers a front row seat to our world-famous Hogmanay celebrations, as well as our rich culture, creativity, and traditions.
The US is Scotland’s largest international visitor market, and this activity will further showcase Edinburgh’s breathtaking backdrop and Scotland’s warm welcome on a global scale, inspiring even more visitors to plan their future trip.
We’re hugely proud of this year's celebrations, marking the arrival of 2026 with the award-winning Wet Leg at the helm and a fantastic line-up of Scottish acts across the stages.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is truly back with a bang. To return with so many sold-out events across the four-day festival shows just how much support there is from both locals and international visitors to celebrate in the capital.
It’s been wonderful to see tens of thousands of Street Party revellers return to Princes Street. They danced into the New Year, soundtracked by a Scottish themed fireworks display for our world-renowned Midnight Moment, culminating in a powerful, brand-new rendition of Auld Lang Syne from Valtos.
In a year where Scottish culture, sport, and tradition have once again shone on the world stage, the celebrations highlighted our shared pride in our country, proving there’s no New Year party without Scotland.