Edinburgh, Scotland

Being the wonderful capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh is a must-see destination all year round. However, this city is also one of the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Europe, and arguably one of the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations in the world! The festive atmosphere never left this city after Christmas, it transfers from the Christmas Markets to the city's New Year’s Eve celebration. In fact, New Year’s Eve was the most important wintertime celebration in Scotland for four centuries with the name "Hogmanay". Today, it is still among the most important celebrations in the city and attracts many tourists from all over the world.

In Edinburgh, people celebrate Hogmanay to welcome a new calendar year. The event lasts for three days and kicks off on December 30 with a torchlight procession through Edinburgh's streets. Besides, they also celebrate the Beltane Fire Festival to mark the start of spring (and then celebrate Samhuinnnto marks the end of the harvest season around today’s Halloween). All the festivals here stay true to the people's roots in pagan, Viking, and Celtic festivities, making them a great chance to have fun while also learning about the country's culture.

On New Year’s Eve, you can also partake in many other fun celebrations from family-friendly daytime events to energetic live stages and clubs. But most importantly, enjoy the massive fireworks show to celebrate the new year. On the first day of the new year, visit New Town and Old Town - the two famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Edinburgh to make your trip even more memorable.