Edinburgh’s Hogmanay dancing its way to Portobello and Leith on New Year’s Day
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will have satellite events in Portobello Town Hall and at Leith Arches to help people stay local and celebrate New Year’s Day on their home turf. And Edinburgh’s Idlewild will perform on 30 December at the Night Afore Concert.
In Portobello on New Year’s Day, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay keeps the party going with a welcome boost of VITAMIN C at Portobello Town Hall.
The Vitamin C club night hosted by BBC Scotland’s Vic Galloway and Andy Wake (The Phantom Band), will begin 2025 with a night of rock’n’roll, cosmic disco, soul and everything in between, including full band live sets from alt-rock legends The Vaselines, the infectious indie-pop rhythms of Glasgow’s Sacred Paws, and a night of dancefloor classics with DJ sets from Django Django’s Dave Maclean, and Vic Galloway & Andy Wake themselves.
DJ & Vitamin C host Vic Galloway said: “Andy and I have been spinning the “platters that matter” and hosting our VITAMIN C nights since the start of 2023, but it’s a real thrill for us to put on our biggest night yet in Porty Town Hall as part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. It’s a brilliant venue and promises to be the very best way to start 2025, with alternative legends The Vaselines headlining, joyous support from Sacred Paws, and a party DJ set from Django Django. Shake off the night before, and indeed the year before, with a proper Porty knees-up and some fun, festival vibes by the sea. See you down the front!”
Eugene Kelly, The Vaselines said:“The Vaselines are chuffed and excited to be starting 2025 with a gig as part of the Vitamin C Club at the fantastic Portobello Town Hall. It’ll be our first visit to Portobello and to play in such a beautiful venue which has become beacon for local arts and culture will be a New Year’s Day thrill. See you on the beach!”
A free Family Ceilidh takes place in Portobello Town Hall throughout the afternoon, with Bella McNab’s Dance Band providing the dancing tunes, and a special performance from Edinburgh community Street Band collective Oi Musica!
Meanwhile in Leith there will be a New Year’s Day Club Night continuing into the wee sma hours with Scottish DJ Hayley Zalassi and an all female line up featuring SWATT Team and Disco T*ts. Glasgow based DJ and Producer, Hayley Zalassi will bring her love of all things House to the Arches, with a euphoric set guaranteed to have music fans dancing their way into 2025, with special guest sets from Edinburgh’s own SWATT Team and local duo Disco Tits. A New Year’s Day to remember at the Arches, for those with a shared love of house and old skool tunes!
Also on New Year’s Day in the city centre, the return of the First Footin’ culture trail and Sprogmanay will see the very first music gigs of 2025 in a packed programme of free music and events with line-ups to be announced early November.
Culture and Communities Convener 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. This diverse programme promises to be an unforgettable experience for residents and visitors alike, featuring live music, ceilidh dancing, and breathtaking views of the midnight fireworks over Edinburgh Castle. I’m excited to see Edinburgh continue to shine as the place to welcome in the New Year.”
31 December
Texas headline in Princes Street Gardens with Callum Beattie for the Midnight Moment with an expected 45,000 people expected to be in Princes Street at the separate Street Party with a carnival atmosphere, street theatre and lots of food and drink to choose from
New Year’s Eve Revels at Assembly Rooms
‘Maximum Ceilidh Edition’, ensuring partygoers bring in the bells in style on Tuesday 31 December. With more live ceilidh bands than ever before across two dancefloors, guests can birl’ through the bells straight into 2025 with high-energy tunes all night long from Jimi Shandrix Experience, Bella McNab’s Dance Band, Hugh MacDiarmid’s Haircut and Bodhran Bodhran.
The Bairns New Year Revels at the Assembly Rooms makes sure that little ones don’t miss out on the Hogmanay fun, with an afternoon event of ceilidh dancing and live music for all the family. Expert callers make sure that everyone can learn some moves and join in the fun.
Plus, for a festive yet tranquil way to begin the New Year, the Candlelit Concert at St. Giles’ Cathedral will once again host a very special evening, as the St. Giles’ Cathedral Choir, directed by Michael Harris, with the St. Giles’ Camerata leader Angus Ramsay, are joined by a stunning array of talented young soloists. This year’s concert on Tuesday 31 December will mark the concluding three cantatas from J.S.Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Bach at his most exuberant in a stunning, atmospheric setting, as the beloved Cathedral celebrates its 900th anniversary.
30 December The Night Afore
Hot Dub Time Machine will get the party started at the Night Afore in Princes Street Gardens.
Idlewild will headline the Night Afore Concert on 30 December at Assembly Rooms. The indie rock band formed in Edinburgh in 1995 and now after nine albums they have many classic tracks to choose from. Frontman Roddy Woomble will lead the line-up showing their calibre as one of Scotland’s best exports. And keeping some of the surprises under wraps the rest of the line-up will be announced soon.
Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble said: “We’re excited to be joining the Hogmanay celebrations in the band’s home in Edinburgh and getting the party started early!”
