The full programme for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay was unveiled today, adding several bands and events to an already impressive roster.
In addition to the all-Scottish line-up of Biffy Clyro, Idlewild and Honeyblood at the (now sold out) Concert in the Gardens, indie types Maximo Park, Slaves and hotly-tipped Glaswegian five-piece White will play the Street Party’s Waverley Stage, while funk and soul DJ (and sometime ‘Coronation Street’/‘Red Dwarf’ star) Craig Charles will headline the party-centric Frederick Stage alongside Edinburgh’s own Four Corners resident Simon Hodge, with visuals from Buttercup and Pixels.
Elsewhere at the Street Party, the trad-focused Castle Stage will feature performances from Rura, Peatbog Faeries and Shooglenifty (celebrating their 25th anniversary), while the Mound Stage will host a cabaret line-up presided over by Fringe regulars Guilty Pleasures. The annual Hogmanay Keilidh, usually held on the Mound precinct, has been shifted up to the Royal Mile and rechristened The Old Town Ceilidh, where revellers are invited to dash their white sergeants to music from the Cask Strength Ceilidh Band, Whisky Kiss, Ceilidhdonia and Sporran Again, before participating in a Guinness World Record attempt at the world’s longest 'Strip the Willow'. (As veterans of the Scottish country dancing scene, we have to interject at this point to recommend protective clothing – ceilidh dancing is a full-contact sport.)
As ever, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay isn’t just about New Year’s Eve. The beautiful Torchlight Procession will once again wind through the city centre on Wednesday December 30, while the Loony Dook will still welcome those foolhardy enough to brave the waters at South Queensferry on New Year’s Day. The Scot:Lands programme of music, art and theatre will once again take over a series of hidden Old Town venues on January 1 – line-up details for that will be announced in early November.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, various venues, Wednesday December 30-Friday January 1. Tickets for all Edinburgh’s Hogmanay events are available from the official website.