Plan a route for First Footin’ on New Year’s Day

After the fireworks have gone off from Edinburgh Castle the entertainment at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay does not stop.

In Edinburgh the entertainment continues with First Footin’. This is a whole day of free entertainment at a variety of different venues in the city. The good thing is that while there are timed performances, it is easy to dip in and out of the various events.

Scottish electronic trad band, Valtos, will host a cultural exchange with Basque Country artists Maren, Mikel Urdangarin and Olaia Inziarte at Greyfriars Kirk, as part of a new international partnership between Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and the Fair Saturday Foundation, supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund through Creative Scotland. The partnership began in the autumn when Valtos performed in Bilbao at the Fair Saturday Foundation’s Ura Bere Bidean festival at Bizkaia Arena on 24–25 October. The Scottish band opened each night of the event, performing to sold out audiences of over 20,000 on both nights.

Martyn Macdonald of Valtos said, “We were absolutely delighted to be asked by Edinburgh’s Hogmanay to return to Greyfriars Kirk for First Footin’ on the 1st January 2026.
“The event was one of our highlights last year and we’re excited to be bringing the full band this time. It’s an iconic venue and to be able to share it with, and showcase it to, our new friends from Bilbao makes us extremely proud, and we hope they love Edinburgh as much as we do.”

Entertainment all afternoon

Wide Days Presents brings a showcase of homegrown voices to Virgin Hotel’s Greyfriars Hall, featuring indie Edinburgh-born indie-folk duo Quiet Houses, three-piece alt-rock outfit Her Picture, up-and-coming singer-songwriter Goodnight Louisa and energetic Gourock six-piece Slix.

• Leith Arches welcomes a wave of soul and funk sounds as homegrown High Fade
  are set to deliver a groove-driven set, joined by Highlands singer-songwriter
  Tamzene, whose music blends soul, funk, R&B and reggae.
• Fruitmarket Gallery hosts an energetic ‘Day Rave’ led by electronic innovator
  and DJ Neil Landstrumm of legendary Edinburgh club night Pure, set within the
  immersive sculptural world of artist Jamie Cooper’s Levelling Up installation.
• Brand new venue Gilded Saloon is set to host an afternoon session from
  acclaimed Americana songwriter Cahalen Morrison and award-winning
  Australian folk duo Rain of Animals. The two acts will come together later in the
  day to perform a unique collaboration set.
• Also at Leith Arches, Scotstown Dance Band will bring their modern take on
  traditional folk to audiences in search of a Scottish party.
• The Scottish Café will set the stage for an acoustic performance from indie duo
  Logan’s Close.
• Eve Edinburgh at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh welcomes classical pianist and
  talented singer-songwriter Chiara Lordi to an already stunning line up of music
  from Justin Beverly and Theo Bleak
• At Portobello Town Hall, families can begin 2026 with a lively afternoon of
  ceilidhs led by The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience, with free sessions
  running throughout the afternoon.
• Previously announced, St Giles’ Cathedral, will host a carnival of sound as
  Edinburgh’s Tinderbox Orchestra set up residence, joined by special guests
  Kathryn Joseph, James Emmanuel and Rachel Sermanni throughout the day.
  The orchestra’s explosive combination of rappers, singers, strings and thundering
  drums will fill the cathedral from 2–6pm, transforming the space into an
  unforgettable New Year’s Day celebration.
• A spellbinding collaboration between Grammy-nominated guitarist Sean Shibe
  and award-winning fiddler Aidan O’Rourke continues the party at New College’s
  Rainy Hall.
• Plus, the music continues into the evening with the First Footin’ Session with
  Cold Town Beer, a foot stompin’ programme of free traditional and contemporary
  live music in Edinburgh’s best city centre pubs, to keep the party going into the
  night.
  The afternoon is made possible with funding from The Scottish Government Festivals EXPO Fund
  through Creative Scotland. First Footin’ transforms some of Edinburgh’s beloved
  venues on 1 January into a citywide celebration of music, words and community – with a
  line-up of free events inviting audiences to start the year with some of the country’s best
  musical talent.
  Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture,
  said: “The First Footin’ and Sprogmanay programmes look like they’re shaping up to be
  a great way for people of all ages and interests to ring in the New Year. Edinburgh’s
  Hogmanay and New Year’s Day festivities are much-loved at home and abroad, and are
  a wonderful showcase for the extraordinary range of artistic talent we have in this country.
  “The Scottish Government is therefore proud to continue our support with £180,000 for
  this year’s Edinburgh Hogmanay from our Festival Expo Fund, which aims to support
  festival innovation and maximise national and international opportunities for the artists
  who contribute to them.”
  Jordi Albareda, Founder & President of Fair Saturday Foundation said: “We are so
  proud to collaborate with Edinburgh’s Hogmanay on this new cultural partnership,
  bringing a taste of the Basque Country to Edinburgh with some incredible artists
  performing alongside Valtos for the people of Scotland. The Basque Country has long had
  strong links to Scotland, and to further connect our passion for music and creativity at
  this world-famous festival is the beginning of something special.”
  City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said, “Edinburgh has always been a
  city that knows how to celebrate, and there’s no time of year that shows it better than
  Hogmanay. I’m delighted to welcome Valtos and Basque Country artists Maren, Mikel
  Urdangarin and Olaia Intziarte to Edinburgh as new additions to our brilliant First Footin’
  programme.
  “With plenty of performances by Scottish and international artists in some of our most
  renowned venues and public spaces, this year’s First Footin’ programme is not one to
  miss.”

The map shows where you can drop in to listen to free music in the city centre. There are more details of what is on here on the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay website.