Looking for a great way to say goodbye to 2017? You should consider celebrating Hogmanay on the streets of Edinburgh. The beautiful Scottish capital will be hosting a stunning fireworks display – among other things! – and here are our tips on where to watch the fireworks this year.
Where and when is the official event taking place?
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is actually a three-day event that ends with a fantastic fireworks show on December 31st. The whole city is full of parties with amazing music and stunning street food to celebrate the end of the year.
There are a number of events leading up to the fireworks at midnight. Many of these events are ticketed but offer the best views of the fireworks as a result. So, if you want to get a top spot for the fireworks, here are some of the parties you want to get into:
- Street Party starting at 7 pm.
- Ceilidh under the Castle with Edinburgh Gin starting at 8 pm.
- Concert in the Gardens starting at 8 pm.
You can find more information and purchase the tickets online from the official website.
If you have small children, you can enjoy a firework display at 6 pm on New Year’s Eve. The Bairns Afore event has entertainment aimed at families with a very own “midnight” fireworks display for the younger members of the family.
The best non-ticketed spots for fireworks
If you’d like to skip the official Hogmanay parties, you can view the New Year fireworks from different locations across Edinburgh. However, you’ll want to make your way to these locations early enough – each spot will be quickly filled with partygoers and you don’t want to get stuck in traffic on a night like this.
The firework display will take place right next to the Edinburgh Castle and you can generally get a good view of them from any location where you can also see the castle. For example, you can get a good view right off Lothian Road across the bridge on West Approach Road.
If the skies are clear, you have even more options. Salisbury Crags and Blackford Hill are both good viewing spots. Just remember to wear appropriate clothing as both hills are rather steep and you want to keep warm if you need to wait around for the fireworks.
Pick a bar, restaurant or a pub to enjoy the night
You will also find plenty of Edinburgh pubs and restaurants offering entertainment and a view of the fireworks from rooftops and private balconies. Just remember to book your spot early, as tickets are already selling out to many of the popular venues. You can find out New Year’s Eve parties in Edinburgh on the Skiddle website.
Of course, you could always just throw a massive party at home. If you want to create your own fireworks display, then don’t forget to check out the selection here at Firework Crazy.
Edinburgh knows how to throw a good Hogmanay and we can’t wait to see the fireworks this year! Don’t forget to share us your clips and photos of the event if you find yourself watching the New Year fireworks in Edinburgh.
