The city of Edinburgh is the place to be in Scotland if you are serious about bringing in the New Year in style. Over the years, it has evolved from a Hogmanay street party into a four day winter festival.
The festivities kicked off on 29 December with a torchlit procession of Vikings making their way down the Royal Mile where the ship they were dragging was lit. The procession was led by a group of vikings from Shetland who regularly participate in the Up Helly Aa Viking Festival there.
On 30 December, The Dancin’, a street party, warmed everyone up for the main street party the following night and also heralded the arrival of Homecoming 2009.
Tonight, the big Street Party kicks off at 9 pm and there are stages offering live music, including Glasvegas and the Complete Stone Roses. However, you need a ticket so don’t even bother turning up without one. And, if you are lucky enough to be going, wrap up warm because it is going to be -5 in Edinburgh tonight.
Other events include: the Concert in the Gardens, the Glayva Celidh in the Gardens, the Hoog in the Assembly Rooms, the Candlelit Concert at St Giles and the Boogie Wonderland on the Mound celebrating the Seventies.
On 1 Jan, there’s the Bicycle triathlons and the famous Loony Dook where people jump into the freezing waters of the Firth of Forth for a refreshing dip. I kid you not! Alternatively, stay dry at the Feet First theatre event involving 120 artists in a spectacular display on the High St.
The Winter Wonderland festival is also running until 4 Jan which includes ice skating, snow slides and a host of fun activities for the kids.
