Hogmanay - New Year on the streets of Edinburgh (Edinburgh Hogmanay)

Member Name: dunner7

Product:	Edinburgh Hogmanay
Date:	15/10/08 (334 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great atmosphere

Disadvantages: Very cold & can get cancelled at the last minute

I first celebrated Hogmanay (New Year) in Edinburgh in 2002/2003. A group of us travelled over from Ireland and I actually moved to Edinburgh that day as well (young and stupid to move on New Years Eve!!)

We booked apartments around the September time and it was quite reasonable.

http://www.canoncourt.co.uk/aboutcanonmills.htm

We also purchased our Street Party tickets in plenty of time. At the moment the 2008/2009 passes are £10, although there was a £5 promotion for a while.

The Street Party has an amazing atmosphere and there is lots of entertainment and music to keep everyone occupied. We brought our own alcohol and nipped off to a loo that was close by when we needed to go. Midnight itself is quite spectacular an so exciting (especially with the prospect that this wonderful, lively city was going to be my home!!!). The fireworks are spectacular and eveyone is kissing everyone.

The Street Party goes on from 9pm - 1am and I would recommend getting there very early, as it gets packed. It is also freezing cold so wrap up warm and wear plenty of layers as you can get really cold. For the Street Party, don't worry about style. Comfort wins over every time. Also, the party ends at 1am so if you are a party animal like me then buy tickets for another event as you will probably head to a club around 12.30.

The Negatives:
Apart from the cold!!!! We also attempted to go the Street Party in 2003/2004. We had a flat at this time and my parents came over, as well as friends from Liverpool. We had a party in the flat and then headed to the Street Party. It was cancelled due to poor weather. The whole cancellation was handled really badly and they refused to refund me any of ticket money (£90). Instead they said I could go free the following year. I thought this was really bad form and celebrated Hogmanay up North instead. As it happened, we had tickets for a club so we could go somewhere but there were people from Australia and Brazil, who had come to Edinburgh especially for this and were really disappointed. The Street Party was cancelled a few year back again (can't remember which year) but it is something to bear in mind when booking.

Overall though, it is a fab experience. I think a one-off though as the cold is hard to cope with!

http://www.edinburghshogmanay.org/

Summary: New Year Edinburgh style!!!!