Edinburgh’s Hogmanay: First Footin’

Sorry you are too late, this event has been and gone!

First Footin’ returns on New Year’s Day with a packed programme of FREE live music and performance taking place in city centre attractions, pubs and venues across both the Old & New Town areas.

About Edinburgh’s Hogmanay: First Footin’

Listed Under Hogmanay Events / Days Out Events / Music Events / Nights Out Events

First Footin’ highlights include:

• Award-winning singer-songwriter Karine Polwart presents ‘Come Away In’ at St. Giles' Cathedral with a 200-strong community choir plus special guests Lori Watson and Corrina Hewat

• Participants can register to join the choir from 12noon Thursday 14 November at edinburghshogmanay.com – registration is free, and participants must be available for two rehearsals ahead of the event, and for the performance itself on New Year’s Day at St. Giles’ Cathedral

• Historic Greyfriars Kirk presents a feast of spectacular Scottish artists featuring Valtos; Skye natives Daniel Docherty and Martyn MacDonald who have taken the Trad and Electronic music worlds by storm, along with artist and composer Kate Young, Edinburgh born singer Lewis McLaughlin, and on-line sensation NATI, who in 2022 amassed an incredible 2m followers.

• In a special collaboration with The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award and partners Stirling Council, First Footin’ welcomes a selection of 2024’s nominees to the live music trail, with Dead Pony, Broken Chanter, Spyres and Bee Asha performing at Virgin Hotel – Greyfriars Hall

• The Fruitmarket Gallery once again hosts an afternoon of classical music, with a diverse programme of solo and duo music for viola and cello, performed by acclaimed Canadian cellist Christian Elliott and Fiona Winning; Principal Violist of the Royal Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras

• Rising stars Grayling, EVYE and Zoe Graham perform as part of a programme of singer-songwriters at Virgin Hotel’s Eve

• Experimental folk duo Norman&Corrie will invite special guests including previous BBC Radio Scotland Young Trad Musician of the Year Amy Laurenson and Harry Gorski-Brown at the St. Andrew Square Spiegeltent

• Edinburgh duo Dowally and more to be announced at Edinburgh Christmas’ brand new venue The Coorie Inn on George Street

• New First Footin’ venue Leith Arches presents an afternoon of contemporary Scottish artists featuring Glaswegian jazz sensations Mama Terra, Edinburgh rock band Low Tide, and Loch Lomond singer-songwriter Liv Dawn.

• Plus, a New Year’s Day Club Night featuring Hayley Zalassi, Swatt Team and Disco T*ts

• Portobello Town Hall joins proceedings for the first time with a free Family Ceilidh throughout the afternoon, with Bella McNab’s Dance Band and community band Shunpike Social Club providing the dancing tunes

• Plus, BBC award-winning singer songwriter Mike McKenzie will be performing at The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant

• At night, Vitamin C Club transforms Portobello Town Hall for a night or rock’n’roll excess featuring The Vaselines, Sacred Paws, Django Django (DJ set) plus hosts Vic Galloway (BBC Radio Scotland)and Andy Wake (The Phantom Band)

• Plus an evening of revelry at the First Footin’ Sessions with Cold Town Beer taking place in Edinburgh’s best city centre pubs and bars

• And more to be announced…

Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

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Other Events at Various Venues or Edinburghs Hogmanay

Community

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Torchlight Procession

29th December 2025

Various Locations Edinburgh

The spectacular Torchlight Procession will once again light up the city with a river of fire created by over 15,000 torch bearers and friends from around the world!

Nights Out

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party

31st December 2025

Various Locations Edinburgh

The world-famous Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party returns to the historic city centre, to once again light-up the Edinburgh skies!

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