Celebrating the singular date – 1.1.11 – organisers of the world famous Edinburgh’s Hogmanay have announced full details of a packed four day programme. Offering sustenance for the body, brain and soul, revellers can enjoy music, poetry, literature, sport, conversation, movies, dance, light, fire, water and, of course, spectacular fireworks. This year’s Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will feature old favourites alongside brand new events over four days from Thursday 30 December 2010 to Sunday 2 January 2011.
Highlights of the programme include the all new Opening Night on Resolution Square, the newly named event space for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay located on Mound Precinct, featuring Aidan O’Rourke and Brian Kellock; the Torchlight Procession, which culminates in a spectacular Son et Lumière on Calton Hill on the 30th Dec; Concert in the Gardens featuring Biffy Clyro, The Charlatans and special guest Billy Bragg and the world famous Street Party and Midnight Moment.
New events for 2010/11 include One Day, a series of concerts and events on Sunday 1 January supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund, featuring K T Tunstall and a host of Scotland’s best singers, songwriters, poets and writers. Resolution Square presents three days of events in the heart of the city; plus the return of the popular One O’Clock Run; The 25th Anniversary Loony Dook and a new partnership with Edinburgh Rugby which will stage The Big Bash – where the team takes on arch rivals the Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield on Sunday 2 January.
80,000 revellers will enjoy the events within the Princes Street arena on New Year’s Eve. The world famous Street Party will feature incredible live music, entertainment and DJ sets on four stages – the West End DJ Stage, Waverley Stage, Mound Party Stage and the all new East End DJ Stage. This year’s line up includes The Coral plus special guests, Treacherous Orchestra and the winning band of Hog The Stage competition on the Waverley Stage, DJ sets from the Kaiser Chiefs and Goldie Lookin Chain on the East End while international dance pioneers Booka Shade, Grum and friends perform on the West End Stage. Finally, on the Party DJ Stage, The Great Calverto hosts Michelle McManus, X-Factor sensation Stephen Hunter and the fabulous Calverto-ettes. Revellers will count down the last few seconds till the Midnight Moment, with a spectacular fireworks display over the iconic Edinburgh Castle, before linking arms for the World’s Largest Auld Lang Syne.
The Edinburgh Filmhouse will host an homage to Edinburgh as the inspirational city behind some of the UK cinema’s most beloved films including Trainspotting, Hallam Foe and The Illusionist while Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Carnival will occupy its usual place on Market Street from Monday 27 December to Tuesday 4 January.
Pete Irvine, Director of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said “We’re delighted to announce an action-packed programme studded with artists of international acclaim and integrity. Let’s forget about the darkness and the doldrums and enjoy the best New Year celebration in the world, Love Eleven!”
Councillor Steve Cardownie, Festival and Events Champion, City of Edinburgh Council, said “When people think of Hogmanay, they think of Edinburgh – quite simply, nowhere does it better. This year’s programme promises to deliver yet another sensational way to celebrate the New Year in style – from top bands and a breathtaking fireworks display to the best of Scottish writing and musical talent on 1st January, there’s truly something for everyone.”
Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Culture, said “Scotland’s Winter Festivals bring people together from all over the world to celebrate Scotland’s heritage, culture and creativity. Hogmanay is a time when Scotland shines on the international stage. Edinburgh’s spectacular celebrations attract revellers from home and abroad, last year alone generating an estimated £29 million for the Scottish economy. This year’s fantastic programme will help cement Scotland’s global reputation as a fantastic visitor destination and the best place in the world to see in the bells.”
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said, “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is one of Scotland’s flagship events and is recognised the world over. This unique Festival attracts thousands of international visitors who come to experience the special atmosphere Edinburgh offers as the home of Hogmanay. EventScotland is delighted to continue its support of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay which attracts media interest from across the world, showcasing Scotland as the perfect stage for world class events.”
The Rt. Hon. George Grubb, Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is famous all over the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city to bring in the New Year in style. Hogmanay is a vibrant and vital part of the city’s festival offering. It’s also the single most important component of Edinburgh and Scotland’s tourism offer in December, helping to ensure that Edinburgh maintains its coveted reputation as a fantastic, year-round destination.”
Ticket sales for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay have exceeded previous years, with the Enclosure for Concert in the Gardens selling out in two days. Street Party ticket sales are strong, and it is expected that the K T Tunstall concert, part of the One Day celebrations, will sell out in record time.
Full details of the programme over the four days can be found on the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay website and revellers can purchase tickets for all the events in one of three ways: Online as above or by calling Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Box Office on 0844 894 2011 or by contacting Tickets Scotland, 127 Rose Street or Ripping Records, 91 South Bridge, Edinburgh.
