Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Skivvies Optional: Party in Your Tartan

Edinburgh at night

If you are starting to make New Year's plans and looking to travel then consider Edinburgh's Hogmanay. I'm not big into New Year's but this festival is worth attending.

This NYE celebration consists of three fun days of games, entertainment and celebration. I attended the Street Party in 2008 with about 14 close friends and approximately 80,000 other friends and acquaintances which starts on the 31st and ends with a huge firework display at midnight over Edinburgh Castle before everyone runs for a club or pub to continue the celebrations. There is live music and food and drink. It's a great time! Tickets for the Street Party are relatively inexpensive, running about £15. Make sure you pack some leggings, hats, gloves and a warm coat as it gets pretty darn chilly during this event.

Note: If you're going to continue your celebrations, then you need to find a club or bar to head to after the fireworks as places fill up quickly and stop admitting people soon after midnight.

If the Street Party doesn't sound like your fare then check out the Concert in the Gardens. Every year the event brings in a big name musical guest (the year I went it was Scotland native, Paolo Nutini). This concert runs about £35 for the show and continues until midnight when you can watch the fireworks from inside the Gardens at the base of Edinburgh Castle.

Don't want to pay for the Hogmanay celebrations? Hike Arthur's Seat outside of town to see the fireworks.


Edinburgh Castle

Other Hogomanay events worth scooping out:
  • Torchlight Procession - Usually on the 30th and is the opening ceremony of the festival. Thousands of people gather on the Royal Mile for a torchlight procession.
  • Loony Dook - Celebrate the arrival of the New Year by taking a plunge in the River Forth on January 1. (Find yourself a hot toddy afterwards)
If you're only in Edinburgh for less than 36 hours (like I was), consider:
  • Hike Arthur's Seat for 360 degree views of Edinburgh
  • Eat pudding: red, white, black
  • See a tattoo
  • Drink a hot toddy

New Year's Day 2009, Arthur's Seat