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title: "Torchlight Procession Returns and NEW McEwan Hall Music and Events Programme Announced | News | Edinburgh's Hogmanay, Christmas & Winter Festival - Official Website"
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description: "Edinburgh's Hogmanay Torchlight Procession tickets on sale Friday! Scots trad music featuring Blazin' Fiddles, Karen Matheson and Julie Fowlis take over McEwan hall, plus 'Mucke be the Light' returns featuring Charlotte Church and award-winning filmmaker Gordon Buchanan "
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# Torchlight Procession Returns and NEW McEwan Hall Music and Events Programme Announced
08 Oct 2026
Producers of **Edinburgh’s Hogmanay** on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, today announced a feast of spectacular events taking place across the 4-day festival, including the return of the iconic **Torchlight Procession** to welcome the arrival of 2027. Plus, new for 2026, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will present a programme of music, comedy and events in **McEwan Hall** including Scots trad stars **Blazin’ Fiddles, Julie Fowlis**and** Karen Matheson**, as well as the return of **‘Muckle Be The Light’**with Michael Pedersen welcoming Charlotte Church, Gordon Buchanan and more for a special in-conversation and music New Year’s Day event.
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**_Torchlight Procession plus Edinburgh Hogmanay Festival Club shows at McEwan Hall on sale from 12pmFriday 9 October– via [www.edinburghshogmanay.com](https://edwinterfest.com/hogmanay/whats-on)_**
OnTuesday29December, the**Torchlight Procession,supported by presenting partner VisitScotland****,**will once again light up the capital to kick startNew Year celebrations around the world, whilstraising over£25,000 forcharity. An annual sell-out whichwelcomes 15,000 participants and 10,000 spectators to Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, £2 from each torch and £1 from every procession ticket sold is donated directly to the charities making a difference across Edinburgh and Scotland, this year including:[**One City Trust**,](https://onecitytrust.com/) **[When You Wish Upon A Star](https://www.whenyouwishuponastar.org.uk/)**,**[My Name’5 Doddie](https://www.myname5doddie.co.uk/)** &**[Street Assist](https://www.streetassist.co.uk/)**.
Renowned for kicking off New Year celebrations around the world, the Torchlight Procession supported by presenting partner VisitScotland, marks the start of four days of festivities in Scotland as a river of fire is weaved through Edinburgh, with torches carried by residents and tourists alike. Gathering in The Meadows, guests will enjoy a host of entertainment from live street theatre to fireperformers and drummers and music, with Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad Vikingsand pipe bandsguiding the crowds throughout the city.
_“The Torchlight Procession is such a special event, and__we’re thrilled to support it once again. Hogmanay is a defining moment in Edinburgh’s winter calendar, bringing communities and visitors together to celebrate the new year whileshowcasing the city’s rich culture and traditions.__ _
_“Edinburgh’s Hogmanay forms part of a wider portfolio of events and festivals aimed to attract visitors across the winter season, helping to support Scotland’s development as a year-round destination.”_**- Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events at VisitScotland**
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_“The Torchlight Procession is always a striking sight as thousands of people make their way through the city’s streets – it’s a real highlight of the festive period._
_“It also raised vital funds for four wonderful charities and has become a firm favourite with residents and visitors alike. I’m sure it will once again be a great way to star Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations.”_**__- Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener**
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Plus, new for 2026’s celebrations, Edinburgh venue**McEwan Hall**willtransform into the**Edinburgh’s HogmanayFestival Club**to host a range ofliveScottish music, comedy,ceilidh and in-conversation events acrossthe festival.The iconicOld Townvenue willhost celebrations includinga new**Torchlight Procession Opening Event**on 29 December,featuring a showcase of Scotland:award-winning Scottish fiddle band**Blazin’ Fiddles,PipeBands**, andthe**South MainlandUp Helly Aa’ Vikings**warming-up audiences ahead of the Procession.
Following the Torchlight Processionrevellers can return to McEwan Hall for a rousing**Opening Night Concert**where**Blazin’ Fiddles******hostvery special guest**Karen Matheson**; lead singer of Capercaillie andone of Scotland’s foremost Gaelic singers,whowill join the fiddle band for a storming night of music.
On Wednesday 30 December at McEwan Hall,multi-award-winning singer and musician**Julie Fowlis**willbe visiting Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, alongside a sensational band comprisingÉamon Doorley, Michael McGoldrick, TonyByrne and Duncan Chisholm. 2026 has seen Juliecelebrate 25 years as a professionalmusician, and look back on 21 years since her first album_Mar aTha MoChridhe__(As My Heart Is)_.Deeply influenced by her upbringing in the Hebrides and Highlands, Julie hasbecome one of Scotland’s most celebrated culturalvoices.
_‘It’s always a joy to be in our capital city, butit’s particularly special to be performing as part of our world-famous Hogmanay celebrations. Come along and join us!’_** - Julie Fowlis**
Closing the Edinburgh’s Hogmanaycelebrations in McEwan Hall is the return of last year’s sell-out event **‘****Muckle BeThe Light’**on New Year’s Day. Join Edinburgh’s Makar (Poet Laureate)**Michael Pedersen** and an all-star cast of guests for a cultural chat show come performance extravaganza. This lustrous mixincludes: multi-million selling musical artist, activist, Welsh icon, and steward of the land,**Charlotte Church**.Plus double Sunday times bestselling author and poetry superstar,**Hollie McNish**. With a serving of wildlife royalty, care of prize-winning TV presenter and camera man extraordinaire,**Gordon Buchanan MBE**.Expect an exceptional evening ofblether,songs &brawness to start 2027.
In addition to the Torchlight Procession, Edinburgh's Hogmanay will host [**The****Fratellis**](https://edwinterfest.com/hogmanay/whats-on/night-afore-party) and special guestsat the [**Night Afore Party**](https://edwinterfest.com/hogmanay/whats-on/night-afore-party) on 30 Decemberin West Princes Street Gardens.In a first for the ‘Home of Hogmanay’, a special Midnight Moment will be designed to a live soundtrackby [**Underworld**](https://edwinterfest.com/hogmanay/whats-on/hogmanay-in-the-gardens-with-underworld) fromWestPrinces Street Gardens on 31December, featuring the world-famous fireworks from Edinburgh Castle, spectacular lights and projections to create an unmissable moment for 50,000 partygoers as they welcome in the New Year.
Produced by Unique Assembly on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay culminates on New Year’s Day with a free and ticketed programme of music across the city atFirstFootin’. Amidst the celebrations are outdoor concerts,indoor ceilidhs, comedy shows and traditional Scottish celebrations for kids and families.
Tickets forTorchlightProcessionpriced from £22including torches, booking fees and charitydonation, Hogmanay Festival Club @McEwan Halltickets priced from£27.50including booking fees and Muckle BeThe Light priced from£27.50 including booking fees -available at[www.edinburghshogmanay.com](http://www.edinburghshogmanay.com/)fromFriday 9 October.
[Back to News page](https://edwinterfest.com/hogmanay/news)
## Events we think you'd like
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[First Footin'
Fast becoming Edinburgh's favourite way to spend New Year's Day, First Footin' takes over venues across Edinburgh with a FREE unticketed live music trail.](https://edwinterfest.com/hogmanay/whats-on/first-footin-information)
[Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Party
**31 Dec 2026** The world-famous Street Party returns to the historic city centre, to once again light-up the Edinburgh skies, at one of the world’s greatest New Year celebrations!**Start time: 20:00**](https://edwinterfest.com/hogmanay/whats-on/street-party)
[Julie Fowlis plus special guest Pippa Blundell
**30 Dec 2026** Gaelic folk star Julie Fowlis takes to the stage on 30 December with her sensational live band for a night to remember, plus special guest Pippa Blundell.**Start time: 18:00**](https://edwinterfest.com/hogmanay/whats-on/julie-fowlis)