Return of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay New Year’s Day events programme

13 November 2024

First Footin' - free New Year's Day live music trail returns with expanded programme featuring Karine Polwart, Valtos, Dead Pony, Mama Terra and more
Invitation to join 200-strong community choir for St Giles' Cathedreal performance
Spogmanay returns with a programme of free family events
www.edinburghshogmanay.com

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has today announced a packed programme of free events to start 2025, as the much-loved First Footin’ and Sprogmanay events return on New Year’s Day, with a spectacular programme of live music and performance in venues throughout the capital’s city centre, along with new events in Portobello & Leith. Plus, as part of a special event Come Away In, renowned folk artist Karine Polwart is calling out for 200 participants to join a community choir for uplifting performances on New Year’s Day.

First Footin Launch - Credit Andy Catlin.

First Footin’ invites audiences to explore the historic city, discovering an eclectic range of live music in outstanding venues, embracing Hogmanay traditions of friendship, love, and resolution, not forgetting some delicious food and drink along the way.

First Footin’ is created and produced by Unique Assembly as part of the 4-day Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council, funded by the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund through Creative Scotland, and supported by Essential Edinburgh and Cold Town Beer.

Award-winning musician and composer Aidan O’Rourke has co-curated the First Footin’ line-up with a programme of live music, performance and collaborations from the world of folk, indie, jazz, classical, dance and hip-hop and much more.

Acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Karine Polwart will host a stunning performance to mark the turning-of-the-year with Come Away In, a commissioned project welcoming special guests musicians Lori Watson and Corrina Hewat, along with 200 community choir singers, celebrating crossing the threshold of the New Year in the embrace of massed voices and song. Alongside Choir Director Stephen Deazley, Karine Polwart is inviting singers of all abilities to join the choir for the day, as music fans mark the New Year with a mass performance of song in the historic cathedral. No formal music skills are required, and parts will be simple and taught by ear – find out more information and register to be part of the Come Away In community choir at edinburghshogmanay.com from 12 noon on Thursday 14 November.

Karine Polwart said, “Singing in the New Year is such a massive communal tradition here in Scotland that opening the doors of St. Giles’ Cathedral to 200 community voices just seemed obvious. It’s a glorious space designed for song. I hope our invitation to 'Come Away In’ captures a spirit of hospitality, sanctuary, and togetherness - things that need looking after in these times.”

The Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson, said, “The First Footin’ and Sprogmanay programmes look like they’re shaping up to be a great way to kick start 2025 with fun for all ages and all interests.

“We’re delighted to again be supporting this year’s celebrations with £100,000 from our Festival Expo Fund. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and New Year’s Day festivities are much-loved both at home and abroad, and are a wonderful showcase for the extraordinary range of artistic talent we have in this country.”

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 12 noon on 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 online 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

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay producers and First Footin’ creators Unique Assembly said, “We’re thrilled to unveil another fantastic First Footin’ line-up for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay this year. New Year’s Day in the city has become a wonderful experience, welcoming audiences to shake-off the night afore and discover a wealth of talent from across Scotland and beyond. Inviting people to become part of the show with Karine Polwart’s community choir in St. Giles’, will be an incredible experience for all and the best start to 2025. Stay tuned for even more to be announced!”

Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said, "Edinburgh's Hogmanay is once again set to be a spectacular celebration, with events taking place across the city from St. Giles’ Cathedral and Assembly Rooms to Leith Arches and Portobello Town Hall. I’m excited to see Edinburgh continue to shine as the place to welcome in the New Year!”

First Footin’ takes place at venues throughout the city from 2pm to 8pm on New Year’s Day. A full line-up of artists and venues along with First Footin’ trail map will be released in early December, for participants to plan their fun-packed New Year’s Day.

Celebrations for families and young revellers run throughout New Year’s Day with the return of the hugely popular Sprogmanay in collaboration with the National Museum of Scotland. Enjoy lively performances and activities for all the family with a vibrant free programme including; music performances from Unicorn Dance Party arts and crafts, and this year a special street theatre performance from international performers Close Act, will see illuminated ‘I-Puppets’ running, jumping and even flying amongst the crowds.

Dance the day away at the Sprogmanay Family Ceilidh, this year hosted by the incredible Fruin Ceilidh Band at Assembly Roxy, and at a new event at Portobello Town Hall, presenting ceilidh dancing with Bella McNab’s Dance Band and community street band Shunpike Social Club with some Afrobeat, Brazilian and Cuban big band flair. These fun family events are the perfect chance to embrace traditions and introduce kids to classic ceilidh dancing for the first time with an expert caller on hand to ensure everyone of all ability can join in. Running all afternoon, families are invited to stay for the afternoon or drop in and out of sessions to catch their breath!

Sprogmanay and First Footin’ Culture Trail round off four days of world-class celebrations in Edinburgh to welcome in the New Year, thanks to support from the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund through Creative Scotland.

Celebrations begin on 29 December with the Torchlight Procession, followed by the Night Afore Disco Party and Night Afore Concert on 30 December. On Hogmanay night itself New Year Revels and its all-night ceilidh makes a welcome return to Assembly Rooms, while Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens will host 55,000 party goers at the world-famous Street Party featuring Hot Dub Time Machine, BBC Radio 1 DJ Arielle Free, Peatbog Faeries, Valtos and much more. The iconic Concert in the Gardens Hogmanay show this year will welcome Texas for a 35th anniversary greatest hits show joined by special guest Edinburgh’s own Callum Beattie.

Further information and tickets for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 4-day celebrations are available now from www.edinburghshogmanay.com.

Background

First Footin’

Line-up includes: Karine Polwart, Lori Watson, Corrina Hewart, Nati, Lewis McLaughlin, Kate Taylor, VALTOS, Fiona Winning and Christian Elliot, Bee Asha, Spyres, Broken Chanter, Dead Pony, Grayling, EYVE, Zoe Graham, Dowally, Norman & Corrie, Amy Laurenson, Harry Gorski-Brown, Mama Terra, Liv Dawn, Bella McNab’s Dance Band, Shunpike Social Club, Afterlands, Cahalen Morrison, Eamonn Coyne and more to be announced. Venues include: St. Giles Cathedral, Greyfriars Kirk, Virgin Hotel, Fruitmarket Gallery, St Andrew Square Spiegeltent, Scottish Café Bar & Restaurant, Cold Town House, Auld Hundred, The Black Bull, Boozy Cow, Cooper Blossom, Element, and The Huxley. New venues in Portobello Town Hall and Leith Arches, expand the programme out with the city centre.

Scottish Government Festivals Expo Fund

Established in 2007, the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund aims to foster innovation across festivals and ensure international opportunities for participating Scottish based artists. In 2024-25, £1.7 million has been allocated across fourteen festivals that run across the year including Edinburgh’s international, book, film and fringe festivals as well as Glasgow International Festival and Celtic Connections.

Creative Scotland

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot