FIRST FOOTIN’ TRAIL RETURNS ON NEW YEAR’S DAY TO KICK-START 2026 

TINDERBOX ORCHESTRA, KATHRYN JOSEPH, JAMES EMMANUEL AND RACHEL SERMANNI SET TO TRANSFORM ST. GILES’ CATHEDRAL 

MICHAEL PEDERSEN WELCOMES SHIRLEY MANSON & NICOLA STURGEON FOR NEW YEAR’S DAY AT PORTOBELLO  

PLUS, FREE AFTERNOON OF FAMILY CEILIDHS AND EVENTS FOR ALL 

TICKETS ON SALE VIA 

www.edinburghshogmanay.com  

The countdown to 2026 has begun, as Edinburgh’s Hogmanay organisers today announce the first events at this year’s First Footin’ programme on New Year’s Day, presenting another packed line-up of free and ticketed events in venues across the city. Michael Pedersen, Edinburgh’s Makar, will host an evening of music and discussion to kickstart 2026 with guests including: Shirley Manson, Nicola Sturgeon and Norman Blake, whilst the First Footin’ music line-up welcomes the likes of Tinderbox Orchestra, James Emmanuel, Kathryn Joseph, Rachel Sermanni and more.  

Supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund through Creative Scotland, First Footin’ transform some of Edinburgh’s much-loved venues and attractions with a showcase of artists from across Scotland and beyond, inviting audiences to discover new music and experiences on 1 January.  

The New Year's Day events programme is a spectacular finale to the four-days of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay,  which is created and produced by Edinburgh’s Unique Assembly on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, welcoming local residents and visitors from across the globe to come together and celebrate the arrival of 2026 with a showcase of Scottish music and tradition. 

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said, “The First Footin’ and Sprogmanay programmes look like they’re shaping up to be a great way for people of all ages and interests to ring in the New Year.   

“Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and New Year’s Day festivities are much-loved at home and abroad, and are a wonderful showcase for the extraordinary range of artistic talent we have in this country. 

“The Scottish Government is therefore proud to continue our support with £180,000 for this year’s Edinburgh Hogmanay from our Festival Expo Fund, which aims to support festival innovation and maximise national and international opportunities for the artists who contribute to them.” 

An annual highlight, First Footin’ in St.Giles’ Cathedral will this year become a carnival of sound and colour, with Edinburgh’s Tinderbox Orchestra bringing together rappers and singers with soaring strings and thundering bass and drums. Tinderbox Orchestra will host a selection of Scotland’s finest musicians throughout New Year’s Day as they are joined by award-winning special guests James Emmanuel, Kathryn Joseph and Rachel Sermanni. The sessions will run from 2pm – 6pm, inviting audiences to welcome in the New Year with magnificent performances from some of the country’s most talented musicians in the atmospheric setting of St.Giles’.  

Tinderbox Orchestra said, “We are over the moon to be part of the First Footin' programme this year alongside so many other wonderful acts. The opportunity to take over St Giles’ and share our music and showcase brand new arrangements with some of Scotland’s best loved artists is incredibly exciting for us and we cannot wait!” 

The First Footin’ music trail also welcomes a collaboration from Edinburgh’s Grammy-nominated guitarist Sean Shibe and award-winning fiddle-player and composer Aidan O’Rourke uniting in New College’s Rainy Hall, for a spellbinding meeting of classical music and Scottish folk. Award-winning Dundee singer-songwriter Theo Bleak will be performing in Virgin Hotel’s Eve, along with other special guests to be announced.                         

In the evening, the music continues with the First Footin’ Sessions with Cold Town Beer, as live events come to life throughout the Grassmarket and New Town bars, featuring a feast of music from foot-stomping trad artists from across Scotland to be announced. 

Edinburgh's Hogmanay draws to a close with Scottish literary and cultural icons in Portobello Town Hall as Muckle Be The Light: Manson, The Makar & Dreamers Beyond welcomes one of Scotland’s most iconic musicians Shirley Manson and Edinburgh’s Makar Michael Pedersen at their cultural salon. 

Together, the duo will look back on their favourite moments of 2025, in art and friendship, joined by very special guests - former First Minister and author Nicola Sturgeon, plus live music from Teenage Fanclub frontman Norman Blake. Audiences can expect lively discussion, live music, reading and more at this one-off event reminiscing on cultural highlights of 2025 whilst kickstarting 2026 with some of Scotland’s most iconic voices, as well as a special pop-up bookshop from local store The Portobello Bookshop.  

Michael Pedersen said, “'I can think of no more glorious a way to start the year than in the presence of Edinburgh’s primo cultural icon / all round extraordinary human / cherished friend, Shirley Manson. And what an epic year Shirley and Garbage have had – they delivered my album of 2025, and she’s my person of the year. Shirley also happens to be one of my favourite people to talk about books and art and life with – we’ll be brimming over with vocal zest. To be joined by one of the world’s finest songwriters, Norman Blake, and Scotland’s boldest new bestselling author, Nicola Sturgeon, is a level of dreamy beyond. Did I mention I went to high school ceilidhs in this town hall? What a quest to get here and return with reflections on my debut novel and first year as Edinburgh's Makar. How's about that for a first footing firework! Be warned: I'll be swooning at them aw.” 

Council Leader Jane Meagher said, “Edinburgh has always been a city that knows how to celebrate, and there’s no time of year that shows it better than Hogmanay. 

“We’re welcoming 2026 with the return of our much-loved First Footin’ – a fantastic showcase of Scotland’s talent with performances taking place in some of our most renowned venues and public spaces. 

“I’m delighted to welcome this year’s programme and encourage everyone, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, to come along and start the year on a high.” 

With even more First Footin’ performances set to be announced, music fans can spend New Year’s Day discovering Scotland’s most exciting rising stars and familiar faces in some of the city’s most atmospheric settings – a celebration of music and friendship as audiences cross the threshold into a New Year.   

Tickets for all events including Concert in the Gardens with Wet Leg, Torchlight Procession and Night Afore Concert with Peat & Diesel are on-sale now via www.edinburghshogmanay.com