Edinburgh Hogmanay 2022 Guide: Times, fireworks locations and line-up including the Pet Shop Boys

Following a 3-year break the full Edinburgh Hogmanay festival is back, here’s everything you should know about the 2022 Hogmanay celebrations including street parties, fireworks and Auld Lang Syne singalongs.

Edinburgh’s New Year’s Eve events or ‘Hogmanay’ are world-famous for their incredible firework displays, superb music and the timeless backdrop of Edinburgh itself which has a fascinating history. After a 3-year break due to COVID-19 restrictions, revellers will enjoy three days of celebrations in the ‘Home of Hogmanay’ itself, Edinburgh, starting on Friday (December 30) and ending on January 1 as we welcome 2023.

If you’re planning to visit Edinburgh this year to enjoy the awe-inspiring firework displays, live music and street parties, then here’s everything you should know.

When is Hogmanay in Edinburgh 2022?

After a three-year break due to COVID-19 restrictions the full Edinburgh Hogmanay celebration is back.

Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh will take place over three days starting on Friday, December 30, before ending on Sunday, January 1, with the peak of the New Year’s Eve festival taking place on Saturday, December 31.

What happens during Hogmanay in Edinburgh?

Princes Street Gardens Concert

The main Edinburgh Hogmanay event dubbed “Concert in the Gardens” will take place on December 31 at 8pm at the West Princes Street Gardens by the Ross Bandstand. This year the concert will open with the 80s pop stars Pet Shop Boys who are returning after almost one decade when they last played at this event in 2013. A few tickets for this event are still available at £70 per person.

Every year the Edinburgh Street Party event pulls in tens of thousands of revellers from all over the world.

Edinburgh Street Party

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party attracts revellers from all around the globe to bring in the bells for the new year. With the breathtaking Edinburgh Castle not far off, 30,000 merry guests will dance the night away as we enter 2023 as street food and drink, funfair attractions and live DJ’s offer them the celebration of a lifetime. Unfortunately, however, there are no more tickets available for this event.

St Giles’ Cathedral Candlelit Concert

This year the choir of St Giles’ Cathedral will feature director Michael Harris and organist Jordan English who will put on a stunning performance along with the brass ensemble Carnyx Brass. The concert will fall on December 31 at 6pm and tickets cost £21.50.

There are many places you can see the firework displays in Edinburgh even if you don't have a ticket to Princes Street Gardens.

Sprogmanay’

Enjoy a FREE afternoon at the National Museum of Scotland on New Year’s Day which is an entirely unticketed event but be fast because it’s a first come first serve system. Here there will be fun pop-up performances and exciting musical activities for families. While the full programme hasn’t yet been released we expect this will be a great opportunity to warm kids up to the fun of ceilidh music and dancing.

First Footin’

Another FREE event, ‘First Footin’ is a new Edinburgh Hogmanay celebration which offers an afternoon of live music starting from 2pm across various pubs and venues in the city centre (both Old and New Town). This is a great opportunity for revellers to explore Edinburgh and enjoy an exquisite variety of food and drink accompanied by the live performances from artists such as Callum Beattie who said: “I can’t wait to play in Edinburgh. We’ve had no shows there all year, and it’s just such an honour to be back in my home city. Myself and the band are all buzzing.”

Final Fling

The world-famous Scottish band Tide Lines will headline Edinburgh Hogmanay’s ‘Final Fling’ to close the 2022/23 New Year’s celebrations. Other special guests like Edinburgh’s Hamish Hawk and Elephant Sessions will also take part in the outdoor concert at West Princes Street Gardens on Sunday, January 1 from 5.15 -9pm. Tickets cost between £27.50 to £50 depending on the type you purchase.

Where can you watch the fireworks in Edinburgh?

Firework displays are designed to be observed from the street party taking place in Princes Street Gardens. However, there are other spots around Edinburgh where you can have a great view such as Inverleith Park, Calton Hill or Bruntsfield Links for free viewing.