New organisers hike up ticket price for Edinburgh's Hogmanay

Thousands attend Edinburgh's Hogmanay every year. Picture: Contributed

The 20 per cent increase will see the tickets to get onto Princes Street reach £30 for the first time in the event’s 26-year history.

However, the number of discounted tickets for the 75,000 capacity event on offer to people with EH postcodes will be doubled to 10,000.

They will be pegged at £20 under a shake-up planned by promoter Underbelly, which took over the running of the festivities a year ago.

Charges were introduced for all Hogmanay street party tickets in the wake of the first cancellation of the event due to bad weather in 2003-4.

They cost just £2.50 initially and were gradually increased by previous organisers Unique Events until the last increase in 2015-16. The street party has had a capacity of 60,000 in recent years.

A spokeswoman for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay said: “Last year we introduced a whole new street party, with more stages, more performers and more entertainment.

“We’ll be continuing that for this year and for the best new year party in the world, at £30, the ticket is amazing value.

“We want more Edinburgh people to have access to the event at the cheaper price, which is why we’re holding it at £20 and doubling the number available from 5000 to 10,000.”

Tickets have gone on sale for all major events months earlier than normal – before any acts have been confirmed. Tickets for the Concert in the Gardens at the Ross Bandstand will cost between £60 and £170.

Full details of the three-day Hogmanay festival and this year’s headliners will not be announced until September.

Underbelly directors Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam added: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is where the world comes to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the new.

“It’s an international event with a cracking line-up of artists from across the world which we’ll be unveiling over the next few months.

“But it’s also Edinburgh’s event and so we want to double the number of discounted tickets available to EH postcode holders and acknowledge the goodwill and support of those who live in the city and who welcome the world in through its doors.

“We hope that the £20 ticket will allow more local people to join the street party, the world’s largest New Year celebration.”

Donald Wilson, culture convener at the city council, said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is famous the world over as an incredible street party experience and one of the best ways to bring in the New Year.

“It’s an internationally-acclaimed event, drawing crowds from all continents, but it is also uniquely ours.

“It is Edinburgh’s party and everyone who lives in Edinburgh and wants to be a part of it should have that  opportunity.

“That is why there are special rate tickets available for local people – and why these deals are doubling in number to make this our biggest ‘Hogmanay thank you’ yet to residents.”

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