The capital’s Hogmanay celebrations were cancelled one year ago due to poor weather conditions
Thousands of people welcomed 2026 in Edinburgh where they witnessed a spectacular fireworks display.
The display, part of the capital’s Hogmanay celebrations, had revellers gathered from all over the world along the city’s Princes Street as the clock ticked into the new year.
The sold-out Hogmanay Street Party hosted 45,000 people, who were entertained by pipe bands, drummers, a DJ set from Belgian duo 2manydjs and a silent disco.
The six-and-a-half-minute display took place over Edinburgh Castle and was accompanied by a soundtrack featuring Lewis Capaldi, Eurythmics and Simple Minds. The spectacle ended with a Skye duo Valtos version New Year’s Eve classic “Auld Lang Syne”, while a saltire was projected onto Castle Rock.
The event welcomed visitors from across the globe.
Ann Bracefield, a teacher from Wellington, New Zealand, was among the street partygoers. The 55-year-old said she had come to Edinburgh for the event. “It’s where to be for New Years,” she told the PA.
She said she has a friend who tried to get in last year from New Zealand but missed the event because it was cancelled.
Elias Branting, 24, who travelled from Sweden for the event. He said it had a “great” atmosphere.
“There’s lots of people, there’s lots of food, there’s lots of light, which is awesome,” he said.
“The entire city is lit up, which is great.”
This year’s sold-out party marked the return of the festival following last year’s cancellation due to bad weather.
Edinburgh was chilly but clear this year, although the city avoided the weather warnings for snow and ice which come into place for parts of the country at 6am on New Year’s Day.
