10 of the best Hogmanay parties in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the undisputed king of Hogmanay parties. Therefore, it is our duty, nay, pleasure, to bring you the best of the bells in the capital this year.
The Edinburgh Street Party
It would be a bit of a weird list if we didn't lead with this one. You've probably heard of it, but, don't scroll down - we'll tell you what's actually happening on this most momentous of Hogmanay party's. We're focusing specifically on the actual Street Party by way (there's several other sub-events but we want to save some love on the list for others). Anyway, at this years bash, there's heaps of great live acts across three stages (namely, Marc Almond, Idlewild, The Snuts, Arielle Free, and loads more). There will also be street theatre, a silent disco and a poignantly patriotic end with pipes from Louise Marshall.
From 7.30pm. Princes St. Tickets: £31.50. Find out more and buy your tickets here.
Dine Hogmanay Gala
An elegant Hogmanay party awaits at this top-drawer bistro with a champagne and canapé reception kicking things off before guests enjoy a sumptuous four-course meal. Then, come 10pm – it's party time. Live entertainment will kick things up a notch with acclaimed Rat Pack tribute act, Gavin Paul, returning for no doubt ample amounts of crooning and swooning. Come midnight, you'll get a great view of the fireworks from Cambridge Street (and a glass of fizz with which to enhance the enjoyment of said whoosh bangs) and from there, the revelry will kick on till 3am.
From 7.30pm. Dine. 1/F, 10 Cambridge St, EH1 2ED. Tickets: £145. Grab your tickets here.
The Register Club at the Edinburgh Grand
This Hogmanay, the Edinburgh Grand in St Andrew Square is putting on its inaugural Hogmanay Party, so expect grandeur of the top-shelf variety. Celebrations will take place in the sophisticated surroundings of The Register Club, with party-goers offered champagne, a gourmet buffet dinner and a wee dram of whisky as the fireworks set the sky alight above Edinburgh Castle to welcome in the New Year. The resident DJ will be set up in The Games Room to get the dancing going, so robot's at the ready.
From 7.30pm. The Register Club, 42 St Andrew Square, EH2 2AD. Tickets: £95 per person. Book by calling 0131 230 0570 or emailing events@lateralcity.com.
The Balmoral Hogmanay Gala Ball
One of the most famous party's in town is of course, an unapologetically Scottish affair, with pipes and drums leading you in to the iconic venue. Champagne and canapés kick things off before guests enjoy a magnificent dinner in the Sir Walter Scott Suite. After you've been suitably fed and watered, the ceilidh band are on hand to guide you through some classic dances. The bells will be ushered in with a rousing rendition of Toto's Africa (actually, it might be Auld Lang Syne). Finally, take in the fireworks with Edinburgh Castle serving as a majestic backdrop before dancing into the wee small hours.
From 7pm. The Balmoral 1 Princes St, EH2 2EQ. Tickets: £355. For more information,
call 0131 556 2414 or email reservations.balmoral@roccofortehotels.com.
Hogmanay at Juniper
See 2019 out with a bang and enjoy the best views of the Princes Street celebrations (except you get to be indoors and warm), as Juniper let's its hair down for a blow-out of spectacular proportions. The party starts with a glass of Moët & Chandon and canapés, with festive street food served before the bells and the DJ belting out 'sublime' mixes – their choice of words, we like it – until 3am.
From 9pm. Juniper, 20 Princes St, EH2 2AN. Tickets: £35 per person (your ticket includes entry to Princes Street – NOT the Princes Street Gardens Party). Click here for more information.
Hogmanay at The Liquid Room
If these options seem a bit a demure for your tastes and you're looking for something a bit more mental (the confetti above being just a sampling of how mental it gets), then Nightvision Hogmanay at The Liquid Room is the best party in town with a plethora of quality DJs (headed up by Patrick Topping and Alan Fitzgerald) spinning until 5am. 10.30pm – 5am (last entry 3am. The Liquid Room, 9C Victoria St, EH1 2HE. Tickets: £55.94 per person. Click here to buy tickets.
Hogmanay Snow Ball Dinner & Ceilidh at the Sheraton Grand
The Sheraton Grand's ball room gets a winter makeover, take it in and watch the drama of the season unfold from the comfort of your own table. Whitetail gin winter cocktails await you on arrival, followed by a stunning three-course meal. Once you have a healthy seasonal glow going, a top ceilidh band will be on hand to entertain, delivering a jaunty backdrop to your dodgiest dancing. Once things wrap up, head over to Shanghai nightclub on George Street for the after-party till 5am.
From 7.45pm. Sheraton Grand, 1 Festival Square, EH3 9SR. Tickets: individual – £149.99, private table for 10 – £1,499, VIP private table for 10 – £1,999. Grab your tickets here.
Hogmanay at the SKYbar
Great drinks, tunes and service await at this popular spot, replete with panoramic views offering a more relaxed party this Hogmanay. Your ticket includes a welcome drink and some warming mac and cheese – with a vegan option available. Don't get us wrong, we love mac and cheese, but really, as you can see from the image above, you're paying for the view really – it's magical, arguably the best in the city.
From 8pm. SKYbar Edinburgh, 34 Bread St, EH3 9AF. Tickets: £60 per person, available by calling 0131 221 5414 or emailing christmas@doubletreedinburghcity.co.uk – maximum 10 tickets per person.
Hogmanay Ball at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
At this dazzling black tie Hogmanay Ball, you will join the Caledonian's famous toastmaster as he leads you through an evening of Scottish traditions, bagpiping, Toast to the Haggis, ceilidh dancing, live music and an extravagant menu prepared with the best of Scottish ingredients. Finally, there will be a big countdown to midnight with 12 bells and you can welcome the new year with stovies and a glass of Perrier-Jouët Brut champagne.
From 6.30pm. Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian, Princes St, EH1 2AB. Tickets: £295 per person. To book, call 0131 222 8857 or email christmas.reservations@waldorfastoria.com.
Ceilidh under the Castle
If you really want to embrace Hogmanay, then it doesn't get more Scottish than Ceilidh under the Castle. As the name suggests, you'll be hurling and burling the night away at the foot of Edinburgh's most famous landmark in Princes Street Gardens. There will be plenty of local food and drink on hand to keep you spinning all night to a litany of jigs and reels, brought to you by three smashing ceilidh bands: Sleekit Beasties, Skyte! and Cool Ceol Ceilidh Band.
From 7.30pm. Enter via Lothian Road onto King’s Stables Road and through the grounds of St Cuthbert’s Parish Church. Tickets: £65, premium – £145 (gives access to dedicated outdoor bars, street food offering local Scottish produce and additional toilet facilities). Click here to grab your tickets.