The best big party in the world

THIS year, Edinburgh's annual street arts carnival has such a strong German flavour you can almost taste the sauerkraut. The Night Afore International boasts thigh-slappingly good Oompah music courtesy of Schnicklefritz, a brass band who hail from "the Black Forest via Falkirk", as well as street theatre from Theatre Titanik. Also catch two stiltwalking troupes: Zebra Stelzentheater and Irrwisch. Wnderbar! On the Scottish Ceilidh Stage, Blazing Fiddles and the Portobello Ceilidh Band, with caller Wilma Henderson, will lead the assembled masses in all your favourite dances and, of course, the World's longest Strip the Willow, which will take place at 9pm.

• Free and unticketed

Candlelit Concert, St Giles Cathedral

High Street, 7:30pm

SHAME on you if you thought that Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations were only about drinking lots and jumping around to loud music - the capital can do quiet contemplation too. Experience the calm before the storm at St Giles Cathedral, where the Cathedral Choir, directed by Peter Blackhouse, will be joined by the Scottish Ensemble for a programme that includes JS Bach's Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme and Haydn's Missa Sancti Nicolae.

• Tickets: Sold out

Royal Bank Street Party, City Centre, 10pm-1am

THE best New Year party in the world? Of course it is. Every now and then you'll get some joker from New York or Sydney trying to claim their celebrations are better, but consider this: in Times Square, everyone waits around for hours in the freezing cold just so they can watch a big ball fall down a flagpole; and in Sydney what should be the biggest social event of the year becomes the biggest antisocial event of the year as everyone jumps aboard different boats to watch the Harbour Bridge fireworks - no bodily contact with strangers at the bells unless you're prepared to swim for it. Edinburgh's Street Party has a better backdrop, it's much, much more sociable and it has a blistering soundtrack to boot.

There are only three music stages this year, but clearly the event organisers have decided to go for quality over quantity. On the Waverley Stage, art pop five-piece The Dykeenies will make way for The Fratellis, who, having played Glasgow's Hogmanay party in George Square earlier, should be full of energy after completing their mad dash across the central belt (see feature opposite).

Over at the Scott Monument Stage, modern trad band Lau and fiddle-led outfit Watergaw will get the folk/hoolie crowd warmed up, before the acclaimed Burach take the stage. Cajun, Celtic, punk, bluegrass, indie... their sound incorporates all these styles and more. And if none of the above tickles your fancy, there's always the cheesy pop option at the Mound Stage. Veteran DJ the Great Calverto will supply a constant stream of aural pleasures - as will the shameless Pop Tartz - before Fountainbridge hippety-hop collective FBC round off the event with a flurry of big beats and indecipherable hand gestures.

• Entry to the Street Party is possible only with a Street Party pass (20). There will be no entry to the Royal Bank Street Party after 11pm, so you are advised to come early.

Concert in the Gardens

West Princes Street Gardens, 10pm-1am

THIS jewel in the crown of Edinburgh's New Year bash continues its admirable tradition of giving an international platform to the Scottish breakthrough artist of the year. Last year it was KT Tunstall; this time it's Paisley soul sensation Paolo Nutini who gets a chance to shine for the world's TV cameras. Oh, and the Pet Shop Boys are headlining, but you probably knew that already.

• Tickets: Sold out. There will be no entry to the Concert in the Gardens after 11pm, so come early.

Ceilidh in the Gardens

East Princes Street Gardens and Mound Square, 10pm-1am (gates open at 9pm)

LAST year's inaugural Ceilidh in the Gardens was such a roaring success it now looks like becoming a regular fixture. There's only one problem for ceilidh fans: whether to make for the Mound Square Stage, where Capercaillie and Salsa Celtica are headlining, or to hit the Ceilidh Dance Floor, where Sandy Brechin's Selection Box and the Fraser MacNaughton Ceilidh Band will be upping the tempo from the get-go.

• Tickets 35. No entry to the Ceilidh in the Gardens after 11pm, so be early.

Seven Hills Fireworks

Edinburgh, midnight

AT THE bells, the skies above Edinburgh explode into life as fireworks are set off from Arthur's Seat, Blackford Hill, Braid Hill, Calton Hill, Castlehill, Corstorphine Hill and Craigmillar Hill. You're not supposed to approach the launch sites - and let's face it, nobody wants to start 2007 with a rocket in the chops - but there are plenty of other vantage points around the city.

New Year Revels

Assembly Rooms, George Street, 9:30pm-3:30am

THIS year, the Assembly Rooms will be divided into two main areas: the Ceilidh Rooms, which, as the name suggests, will be the first port of call for all willow-strippers and dashing white sergeants, and the Club Bar, which will play host to a range of DJs. Wherever you end up, you'll probably burn off a week's worth of calories in the course of the evening.

• Tickets: Sold out.

Edinburgh Bicycle Triathlon and Iron Kids Duathlon

Holyrood Park, 11am (kids), 12:30pm (triathlon)

THE Edinburgh Bicycle Triathlon is a 400m swim in the Commonwealth Pool, an 11-mile cycle ride (three laps of Arthur's Seat) and a three-mile run (one lap of Arthur's Seat). Closing date for registration was 8 December, you'll be relieved to hear. There's also a running and cycling event for children aged eight to 15 earlier in the day; entry to the children's event is on the day only.

The Loony Dook

Gather at the Moorings Pub, South Queensferry, 10am-11:45am. Dook at 12 noon.

GET dolled up in fancy dress, parade along South Queensferry High Street and then throw yourself into the icy waters of the First of Forth. Why? 'Cos it's traditional. No wetsuits allowed.

• Tel: 0131-331 2555

The One O'Clock Run

Starts from the Castle Esplanade, 1pm (check-in from 11am-12:30pm)

SORE head? Dry mouth? Not sure whose flat this is? Welcome to 2007! And what better way to start the New Year than with a jog down the Royal Mile? The One O'Clock Gun is the starting signal for a canter from the Castle to Holyrood Park. It's not a race and is downhill all the way, so there are few excuses for not taking part. To ensure entry, buy a One O'Clock voucher from Edinburgh's Hogmanay ticket outlets and exchange it for your T-shirt on the Castle Esplanade on the day. First come, first served. There will be a briefing from 12:30pm, when registration closes.

• Entry costs 5 and includes a T-shirt

Edinburgh's Dogmanay

Holyrood Park, 1:30-3:30pm

CAN you tell the difference between Siberian Huskies, Samoyed Huskies and Alaskan Malamute Huskies? No? Then you should go to Holyrood Park this afternoon, where somebody will be able to enlighten you. All three breeds will be pulling wheeled sleds around the park in a number of display races, and presumably their owners/trainers/ drivers are able to tell one breed from another.

• All tickets and passes for Edinburgh's Hogmanay events: 0131-473 2000 or visit www.edinburghshogmanay.com