Viking-led Torchlit Parade Marks Edinburgh's New Year Celebration
Edinburgh's Hogmanay Torchlight Procession Returns for Its 30th Anniversary in 2024
Get ready to witness a stunning spectacle as the Hogmanay Torchlight Procession returns to the streets of Edinburgh's Old Town on December 29, 2024. This much-anticipated event is a highlight of the extended Hogmanay festival, which runs from December 29, 2024, to January 1, 2025.
Thousands of locals and visitors will take to the streets, holding flaming torches, creating a "river of fire" that lights up the city. Piping bands and drummers will be present to see off the procession, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The Hogmanay Torchlight Procession is a key part of Edinburgh's enormous city-wide festival that lasts at least three days. The procession descends the hill towards the spectacularly lit Princes Street Gardens.
In 2023, the procession was re-launched for its 30th anniversary year, after being cancelled between 2020-2022 due to the pandemic and lack of funding. The kick-off event for Hogmanay is the Hogmanay Torchlight Procession, which takes place on the 30th of December each year.
The procession is led by a group of genuine Vikings from the Shetland Islands, dressed in full warrior garb and holding enormous torches. Standing halfway up Calton Hill, the author was amazed by the huge volume of people taking part in the procession. In the year the author attended, the Hogmanay Torchlight Procession had the highest participation to date, with over 40,000 people taking part and 10,000 holding flaming torches.
If you're planning to attend this spectacular event, tickets and detailed program information can be found on the official Edinburgh Hogmanay or Event webpages closer to the date. The author encourages readers to share their thoughts in the comments.
The author was part of the #blogmanay team and was positioned right up front behind the Vikings leading the torchlight procession. The author's post contains affiliate links, and if you book or buy something through these links, the author earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. More information about the author's privacy policy can be found in the linked text. The author has also included a few of their favorite shots from the Hogmanay Torchlight Procession in the post.
References:
[1] Edinburgh's Hogmanay - Official Website: https://www.edinburghshogmanay.org/
[2] Event - Hogmanay Torchlight Procession: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hogmanay-torchlight-procession-tickets-516458903137
[3] ETAG - Edinburgh's Tourism Action Group: https://www.edinburghtourismactiongroup.co.uk/
[4] The Scottish Government - News Release - Hogmanay Outdoor Events Impacted by Extreme Weather: https://www.gov.scot/news/hogmanay-outdoor-events-impacted-by-extreme-weather/
[5] VisitScotland - Official Website: https://www.visitscotland.com/
[6] Festivals Edinburgh - Official Website: https://www.festivaledinburgh.com/
[7] Marketing Edinburgh - Official Website: https://www.marketingedinburgh.org/
[8] Arnold Clarke Van and Car Hire - Official Website: https://www.arnoldclarke.com/
[9] Rabbies Tours - Official Website: https://www.rabbies.com/
[10] Haggis Adventures - Official Website: https://www.haggisadventures.com/
[11] Unique Events - Official Website: https://www.uniquevents.co.uk/
