Image is Night Afore Hoolie Peat & Diesel show poster.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has announced the first artists for 2025’s celebrations with Scottish folk rock stars Peat & Diesel set to headline this year’s Night Afore Hoolie on 30th December 2025 in West Princes Street Gardens, joined by Scottish accordion sensation RuMac, offering locals and visitors alike the chance to start Hogmanay 2025 celebrations in style with an unmatched night of Scottish music.

Blending Scottish folk and Celtic punk, Peat & Diesel will perform a barnstorming set underneath the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, marking their debut at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay with a 5,000 capacity headline show.

Image is Peat & Diesel.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Night Afore Hoolie is on sale from 10am Saturday 26 July - sign up for pre-sale access here.

What to expect at Edinburgh's Hogmanay Night Afore Hoolie

Since forming in Stornoway in 2018, Peat and Diesel have sold out Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom, played Glastonbury and headlined Celtic Connections with their mix of folk, punk and rock which blends tongue-in-cheek lyrics about island life. The trio’s raucous Celtic punk has seen them pick up trophies at the Scot Trad Music Awards and garner a cult following of fans from across the UK, kicking off 2025 with Celtic Connections’ biggest ever standalone show when Peat & Diesel played a sold out show at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena.

The band will be joined on 30th December by Ullapool accordionist Ruairidh MacLean, ‘RuMac’, who recently shot into the spotlight, winning over audiences on ‘Britain's Got Talent’ and ‘28 Years Later’, as well as festival slots at Belladrum Tartan Heart and more.

Renowned for their high-energy live shows, Peat & Diesel’s headline set at the Night Afore Hoolie will kickstart a series of traditional Scottish celebrations for Hogmanay including family-friendly ceilidhs and the iconic Torchlight Procession.

Peat & Diesel said, “Edinburgh, you asked for a gig, and we're absolutely buzzing to say it's time to deliver....Peat & Diesel are delighted to announce we'll be a part of the New Year Celebrations in Edinburgh on the 30th December!

Crowd at previous Hogmanay.

“We're not just playing, we're unleashing the full force of the 'Night Afore Hoolie' to kick off your legendary Edinburgh Hogmanay Show 2025. Get ready for an absolute explosion of sound and craic that'll have the whole city jumping!

“This isn't just a gig; it's going to be the most raucous, unforgettable start to the New Year you could possibly imagine. Trust us, you won't want to miss a single second when the island madness hits the capital!”

RuMac said, “What a venue to get the old crew back together!”

Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said, "The Night Afore Hoolie in Princes Street Gardens will be a fantastic addition to the Edinburgh Hogmanay line-up. With headliners Peat & Diesel joined by RuMac it promises to be a fantastic night of Scottish music to launch a lively series of traditional Hogmanay celebrations. Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a special time for the city and I'm thrilled that we’re able to offer such an exciting and eclectic programme for our residents and visitors.”

Al Thomson, Unique Assembly and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Co-Director said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Peat & Diesel and RuMac to Princes Street Gardens for their Edinburgh’s Hogmanay set, bringing the sound of the Western Isles to rock the capital.”

Tickets for the Night Afore Hoolie with Peat & Diesel are on sale here 10am, Saturday 26 July priced from £32.50 plus booking fees. 

Revellers who register here will get early access to tickets from a pre-sale which opens at 10am, Friday 25 July.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2025/26 is supported by Principal Funding Partners City of Edinburgh Council and Major Partners the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and EventScotland, all working together to create spectacular Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations for Scotland.