There was a sneak media preview today to reveal a few of the cultural events taking place in Edinburgh from 30th December, 2015 to 1st January, 2016 to celebrate the New Year.
Scotland’s capital is the Home of Hogmanay welcoming thousands of international visitors to join city residents at a fantastic Street Party with music and fireworks, dancing and entertainment as part of a three day Winter Festival.
Guest speakers at the Signet Library were Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture & External Affairs, (Scottish Government) and Richard Lewis, Convenor, Culture and Events, City of Edinburgh Council.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is an international Showcase for the city with TV images flashed around the globe along with New Year celebrations from Paris and Shanghai to New York and Sydney. The Midnight Moment as the fireworks soar and sparkle above the Castle is seen across 150 countries, putting Edinburgh on the world stage, promoting Scotland as a prime tourism destination for contemporary lifestyle, culture and heritage.
Pete Irvine is Director of Unique Events, which has produced Edinburgh’s Hogmanay since 1993. First of all, he recalled how crowds of revellers used to celebrate the Bells at “a rammy at Tron Kirk”. With hundreds of thousands of people gathering in the city centre, it was important to plan an organised, ticketed Street Party on Princes Street.
And so the three Day Hogmanay Festival was born. The Torchlight Procession takes place on 30th December, originally attracting two thousand people walking down the Royal Mile to Calton Hil. This family friendly event has grown steadily to reach ten thousand in 2014.
30th December, 2015: the Procession will snake its way from George IV Bridge towards the finale on Calton Hill with a spectacular Son et Lumière display.
The famous Street Party on Princes Street will be bigger and better than ever with seven stages, expanded entertainment zones and Food & Drink Villages at the West End and Market Street.
Pete Irvine then revealed some of the musical highlights of this year’s Festival:
“Today we announce the strongest line-up we’ve ever had at the Street Party. Each stage offers decidedly different music and the whole party will get down (and up) to a funk and soul classic soundtrack from Craig Charles on the Frederick Party Stage, broadcast on seven screens.
"This year we go full Hogmanay circle, back to the Royal Mile for the new “Old Town Ceilidh” – stages, screens, bars, fireworks and dancin’ in the street around the Cathedral in an unforgettable Scottish experience. We’ll be encouraging everybody to help us break the World record for the biggest outdoor dance which we set on 30th December, 2000."
Participants at the "Old Town Ceilidh" will join together on Hogmanay, (31st December), at 11.00pm to attempt to break this Guinness Record for the ‘World’s Longest Strip the Willow’.
The still stands at 1916 dancers so the organisers are aiming this year for a timely 2016 "strippers."
Traditional Scottish music will be provided by Cask Strength Ceilidh Band, Whisky Kiss, Ceilidhdonia and Sporran Again. ‘Ceilidh Makers’ will sure everyone knows the Country dance steps - and in the spirit of the occasion, do wear a kilt, tartan trews or a sash.
"The "Concert in the Gardens" is headlined by Biffy Clyro after performances by Scottish bands Idlewild and Honeyblood. On the Waverley Stage, you can see Newcastle alt-rock band and Mercury Prize nominees Maxïmo Park, punk duo Slaves and Glasgow funk outfit White. The new Castle Stage will have the crowds jigging and jiving to the beat of Rura, Peatbog Faeries and Shooglenifty. At the Mound, expect to see a cool and crazy cabaret by Guilty Pleasures, who had sell-out shows at the Festival Fringe.
On Friday 1st January, the well established ‘Loony Dook’ (sponsored by Stoats Porridge oats), is back again – a madcap way to welcome in the New Year with a chilly dip in the River Forth at South Queensferry – fancy dress is expected!.
The very popular, free event, "Scot-Lands" also takes place on New Year’s Day featuring a celebration of Scottish music, art and theatre, performed in Old Town venues.
Around 150,000 visitors are expected to visit Edinburgh over the three day Hogmanay Festival, bringing an estimated economic benefit of over £40m to the city.
So, join us at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and release your party animal!
Dress code? The theme of this year’s Edinburgh Hogmanay is Animal – Highland cow, stag, lions, tigers, bears, exotic birds, whatever … so wear fur, feathers and masks for wild and wonderful Festival fun.
The full Edinburgh’s Hogmanay programme will be published later in November.
Festival ticket booking Information:
Tickets for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens are already sold-out.
Tickets for the Street Party, Old Town Ceilidh and pre-booked Torches for the Torchlight Procession, are on sale now from www.edinburghshogmanay.com.
Box Office 0844 573 8455
Hogmanay Box Office, Fringe Office, 180 High Street, Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Winter Festival:
Edinburgh’s Christmas: Underbelly has produced Edinburgh’s Christmas since 2013 and won the Best Festival at the 2014 UK Event Awards. Friday 20th November 2015 - Monday 4th January 2016 www.underbelly.co.uk.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay & Edinburgh’s Christmas are produced by Unique Events Ltd & Underbelly on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council