The annual Hogmanay Festival takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland, Dec. 30-Jan. 1. It is preceded by the Hogmanay Carnival, Dec. 27-Jan. 5, with rides on the 137-foot-tall Edinburgh Wheel and the nearly 200-foot-tall spinning Star Flyer in St. Andrew’s Square.
The festival begins with a torchlight procession through the city center led by Vikings from Shetland’s Up Helly Aa Festival. Accompanied by pipes and drums, visitors can join in, having reserved a torch for £10 (near $16.50) plus a £1 booking fee.
Events on Dec. 31 include a céilidh (a Gaelic gathering featuring folk music and dancing; a ticket costs £40 plus £2.50 fee), a candle-lit concert in St. Giles’ Cathedral, and the Hogmanay Street Party (9 p.m. to past midnight on Princes Street and surrounding streets), where tens of thousands of people gather to ring in the New Year. A Street Party ticket costs £20 plus £2.10 fee. Visit www.edinburghshogmanay.org.
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