Complete Guide to Joining the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession during Hogmanay

The Edinburgh Torchlight Procession is a bucket-list experience for many when visiting Scotland during Hogmanay, the Scottish end-of-the-year celebrations. But what is it like? What should you expect? How can you be prepared?

I participated in the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession in 2023, and it was one of the best memories of my life.

However, I went into it filled with anxiety because I didn’t know what to expect and I couldn’t find enough information online to answer all my millions of questions.

I now know the answers to such questions, so I made this guide to the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession as extensive as possible so you can go into it confident and prepared.

Get ready to have the time of your life celebrating Hogmanay, fire-lit torch in hand, down the streets of Edinburgh.

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About the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession

The torchlight procession is the first official event of the Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh, one you definitely can’t miss if you’ll be in the city at that time.

The atmosphere and energy of the event is incredible.

Vikings from Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad lead the procession along with drummers and bagpipers, and over 20,000 regular folk follow behind.

I hope you’ll be one of them this year!

How long has the torchlight procession been happening? Torchlight processions have been happening in Scotland since the 1800s. The Edinburgh Torchlight Procession hasn’t been happening for quite so long. I couldn’t find an exact date, but it seems to have started in the ’90s or ’00s.

What does the torchlight procession mean? It’s a callback to Scotland’s Viking past, and the fire represents new beginnings.

photo of people carrying torches during the Edinburgh torchlight procession — River of fire

close up of a torch in the Edinburgh torchlight procession — Edinburgh Torchlight Procession

Quick Facts about the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession

Date: Sunday, December 29, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. Torchlight procession leaves the Meadows, ends by 9 p.m.
(2 p.m. Torch and wristband collection begins; 6 p.m. Entertainment begins at the Meadows and people start lining up)
Cost: £20 per torch (includes £2 charity donation and fees)
£7.50 procession wristbands (includes £1.50 charity donation and fees)
Meeting Location: The Meadows
Distance of Walk: 1.2 miles
Number of Participants: About 20,000
How to Book: Buy tickets online. (Tickets available starting on November 1, 2024)

Route for the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession

Start: The Meadows
End: Castle Terrace (by the car park)
Distance: About 1.2 miles

*This is the new route that began in 2023.

The route starts at the Meadows, where there are three large lines of people, waiting to merge into one line. Once merged, the route goes up Middle Meadow Walk, crosses George IV Bridge, and winds along Johnston Terrace, before reaching the finishing point at Castle Terrace beneath Edinburgh Castle.

The procession passes the National Museum of Scotland, Greyfriars Kirkyard, the National Library of Scotland, and, the most prominent of all, Edinburgh Castle.

Streets will be blocked off from traffic, and many people will be gathered to watch the procession flow through Old Town.

Edinburgh Castle with a sign that says "Edinburgh's Hogmanay" — Castle Terrace, end of procession

Should You Participate in the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession?

First things first, should you even participate in the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession? What do I mean?

Well, there are some pros and cons.

Pro: You get to be an active participant in the torchlight procession, carrying your own torch down the streets of Edinburgh.
Con: You can’t see the Vikings, drummers, and bagpipers if you’re participating (unless you follow one of my suggestions below).

Pro: You will, however, see some fire exhibits in the Meadows as you wait in line.
Con: The fire exhibits are so far away, you can’t really see them.

Pro: It’s an extremely exciting time, and everyone around you has positive, celebratory energy.
Con: You’ll be waiting a long time in the cold.

author, a young woman, holding a torch in the Edinburgh torchlight procession in Old Town — Edinburgh Torchlight Procession

author's mom holding a torch in the Edinburgh torchlight procession — Edinburgh Torchlight Procession

How to See the Vikings Lead the Torch-lit Walk through Edinburgh

Our first time participating in the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession, we were very disheartened to realize as we lined up that we would completely miss seeing the Vikings lead the torch-lit walk.

If you’re participating in the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession, there are some ways you can still see the Vikings, drummers, and bagpipers.

1. Watch the Vikings pass by at the start of the procession, near Bedlam Theatre and the National Museum of Scotland, and then walk to the end of the procession line afterward (in the Meadows). You will need to pick up your torch earlier in the day (which I’d suggest doing anyway). It takes FOREVER for the procession line to get moving because there are thousands of people participating, so there will be time for you to make it to the end of the line. (A con to this: You will be at the end of the line, but hey, you’ll get the best of both worlds.)

2. Line up very early to be right behind the Vikings at the front of the procession line. This will require waiting hours before the procession even starts, but you will get a prime spot at the front of the procession. (A con to this: You will only be able to see the back of the Vikings, and it may still be hard to see.)

3. Watch the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession without participating in it. You can also opt not to even walk in the procession and instead just enjoy it with the audience. Although, I would recommend joining as it is really fun! (A con to this: You miss out on walking in the procession.) Perhaps one year you can participate, and one year you can just watch, if you plan on attending more than once.

people holding up their torches in the Edinburgh torchlight procession — Edinburgh Torchlight Procession

How to Participate in the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession

Purchase your tickets online, well in advance. It’s a sell-out event, so don’t lag.
Pick up your torch and wristband sometime between 2-5 p.m. on the day of the procession. The earlier, the better.
Watch the Vikings lead the procession at 7:30 p.m.
Return to wait in the procession line at the Meadows.
Walk the streets of Edinburgh, torch in hand.

Tips and What to Expect in the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession

Be an Early Bird

Purchase your tickets online as early as possible because they do sell out.

Collect your torches and wristbands early (sometime between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the event) to avoid waiting in the long queue that forms after 6 p.m.

Expect a Long Wait Time

There are a lot of people participating, about 20,000, so it does take a while for the procession to get moving (once it finally starts at 7:30 p.m.).

There will be three large, long lines in the Meadows which will eventually merge and form one line.

There are fire performers in between the large lines, to entertain everyone waiting in line, but they’re so far away, you can’t really see them.

Prepare for the long wait by dressing warmly. It’s very cold in Edinburgh on a winter’s night, so you’ll want to wear a few layers, and I’d suggest getting hand warmers as well to keep in your coat pocket.

How to Light the Flame

How do you light your torch? People light each other’s torches, starting from the front and working backwards. When you get closer to the merge, the people in front of you in line will have their torches lit, and then turn around and light yours.

Staff members and volunteers can also help light your torch when it’s time (you won’t need to leave the line).

How to Extinguish the Flame

The fire does get unruly by the end, so try to keep it upright the entire time.

At the end of the procession, near the Castle Terrace car park, there will be bins of water in which you dunk your torch. Do it quickly, dunk it in the water, then pull it out. You’ll next toss your torch in the trash bin. There will be staff members and volunteers to help you.

I saw one person accidentally toss their torch in the trash bin — while it was still lit. Major drama. Be sure to dunk it in water first so the flame is definitely out before tossing.

Tips for Carrying the Torch

Can you share a torch? You can opt to share a torch with another person or have your own. It’s recommended to share one torch between every two people, so you can have your hands free or take a break if needed. It’s a mile-long walk, so keep that in mind.

What does the torch look like? The torch is like a giant candlestick. The Vikings carry real torches with huge fires at the end of them, but yours will not be that big. It’s much thinner, and doesn’t have as big of a flame.

What about wax? I’d heard, in previous years, that some people got wax all over their clothes while carrying the torch, but I didn’t have that problem. There was a cover over the torch to prevent the wax from dripping. Perhaps this is new, but the wax was easy to manage, and it didn’t ruin any clothing.

How to Take Photos with a Torch in Hand

It’s allowable to take photos while walking along the streets in the procession. Everyone else will be doing it, so you won’t be the odd one out. (It may be a little awkward if you are in the front, though.) Most stop to take photos at the upper part of George IV Bridge, by the Bedlam Theatre (a great view of the river of fire).

If you’re worried about how to carry a torch while taking a photo, consider sharing a torch with someone else. I did this with my mom, where we both got tickets but I only bought one torch to share between us (this is allowed and recommended). We took turns carrying the torch and taking photos.

How to Overcome Stage Fright or Social Anxiety

Will there be crowds of people watching — and judging — as you walk down the streets? Honestly, no. By the time the Vikings pass by, most of the audience leaves as well. There are thousands of regular people participating in the procession, so it’s understandable that people don’t want to stay and watch everyone.

There will be some people still watching, obviously, but nothing to be majorly concerned about. Everyone is there to celebrate and cheer, and it’s overall a really positive atmosphere. So no judging, I promise.

fire exhibit in the Meadows during Hogmanay — Fire exhibit in the Meadows (as seen from the queue)

author's mom holding a torch waiting in the line in the Meadows — Waiting in line at the Meadows

Where to Stay in Edinburgh during Hogmanay

I’d recommend staying in one of two places during Hogmanay:

Somewhere with a view of Edinburgh Castle and the New Year’s Eve fireworks
Somewhere along the torchlight procession route in Old Town

1. Stay somewhere with a view of Edinburgh Castle and the NYE fireworks

If you are visiting Edinburgh during Hogmanay, the BEST place to stay is Grassmarket in Old Town, particularly at a hotel or flat with views of Edinburgh Castle.

Why? Because fireworks are lit up above Edinburgh Castle on New Year’s Eve, and if you have a view in your flat or hotel room, you can enjoy the show without being stuck in the crowds and cold.

Note that the torchlight procession happens a few days before New Year’s Eve, usually three days before, not on the same night.

Where we stayed with a view of NYE fireworks: We stayed for a week during Hogmanay in a 1-bedroom flat in Grassmarket in Old Town. It was facing the Grassmarket Square, right next to the Vennel and Mary’s Milk Bar, with views of Edinburgh Castle out the window.

There, we had the BEST view of the fireworks show. It was truly amazing. All we had to do was open our living room window, an introvert’s dream.

The New Year’s Eve fireworks are lit off on the hour at 9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m., with the main finale at midnight. So we went outside during the countdown fireworks (not many people were out then), and then we stayed in at midnight when it became way too crowded.

Hotels with Views of Edinburgh Castle

fireworks above Edinburgh Castle through the window — NYE fireworks through our closed window at 9 p.m.

fireworks above Edinburgh Castle — NYE fireworks from our open window at midnight

2. Stay somewhere near the torchlight procession route

Staying in Old Town is a great idea during Hogmanay because it’s also where the torchlight procession route is. You can even stay somewhere along the procession route to have a view of it from your window if you’re not planning to participate (though I suggest you do because it’s so much fun).

Overall, I’d recommend staying in Old Town as it’s just so lively and touristy, and you are right in the middle of all the action. It’s very convenient to get around. You can simply walk everywhere.

Hotels along the Torchlight Procession Route

Frequently Asked Questions about the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession

When is the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession?

The Edinburgh Torchlight Procession typically occurs a few days before New Year’s Eve, in the last week of December. It’s the first official event to kick off Hogmanay. This year, it will be on Sunday, December 29, 2024.

What is Hogmanay?

Hogmanay is a Scottish word that means “end of the year.” It refers to all of the celebrations that take place in Scotland during the last week of the year.

Did you know that Christmas was banned in Scotland for a few hundred years? The ban was lifted in 1712, but the church frowned upon the holiday for decades afterward. Christmas finally became a public holiday in Scotland in 1958. But because of this history, New Year’s Eve became a very popular, celebrated holiday. The Scots go all out when celebrating the new year.

How far in advance should I plan for Hogmanay in Edinburgh?

Events for Hogmanay in Edinburgh start being announced in September.

I’d suggest starting around September-October to book your hotel and book tickets to the events you want to attend. Many events sell out, and many hotels do get booked full. So, the earlier the better.

In general, hotel prices are 3x more expensive than usual during the last two weeks of the year in Edinburgh, so be prepared for the price increase. I think it’s worth it, however, but be sure to consider that in your budget.

What to pack for a trip to Edinburgh during Hogmanay?

Warm, waterproof wear

If you’re visiting Edinburgh during Hogmanay, it will be COLD and possibly rainy. You should definitely bring a warm waterproof jacket and waterproof walking boots.

This waterproof jacket and these waterproof boots I took with me to Scotland helped us explore no matter the weather. We walked around Edinburgh in the rain and snow, during foggy mornings and chilly evenings, and enjoyed it all. Be prepared for cold, rainy weather, and dress for it, so you don’t miss out.
Also consider bringing fleece-lined leggings — I loved this pair I packed!

Favorite travel essentials

I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized. It also fits nicely under the airplane seats.
I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
For Americans, I recommend getting the Capital One Venture X credit card to relax and eat free food in select airport lounges. I’ve had my Capital One Venture X credit card for a few years now, and accessing airport lounges is my absolute favorite perk of the card. Every lounge is different, but most have a buffet available where you can eat and drink to your heart’s content. The annual fee of this card is high, but it evens out with the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles you get (on top of lounge access and free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry)!