Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations cancelled as high winds set to sweep UK

30 December 2024, 16:00 | Updated: 30 December 2024, 18:56

Edinburgh's Hogmanay street party and fireworks display have been cancelled due to bad weather.

The events were cancelled after the Met Office issued warnings for high winds, heavy rain and snow across the UK.

Yellow weather warnings are in place for most of Scotland on Monday and Tuesday, with an amber rain warning in place for large parts of northern Scotland.

Organisers apologised to tourists who had travelled internationally for the events, which also included an outdoor concert headlined by Scottish band Texas.

They said it was not safe to carry out preparations in such bad weather.

However, indoor events, including a sold-out concert by Idlewild, and a sold-out service at St Giles Cathedral on New Year's Eve, will still go ahead.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay stage being dismantled

It comes after wind gusts on Sunday led to the cancellation of the traditional Torchlight Procession, which usually kicks off the Hogmanay events.

Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said there was already some travel disruption in Scotland, and "more broadly there could be disruption from strong wind and, in particular, where the wind and rain overlap".

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An Edinburgh’s Hogmanay spokesperson said: "Due to ongoing high winds and inclement weather in Edinburgh city centre, we regret to announce that outdoor events scheduled for tonight (30th Dec) and the 31st December are unable to go ahead on the grounds of public safety.

"The cancellation includes tonight's Night Afore Disco Party in West Princes Street Gardens, and on the 31st December, the Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Party, Concert in the Gardens, and the Midnight Fireworks from Edinburgh Castle.

"We have unfortunately been unable to continue with preparations and necessary set-up for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay outdoor events due to extreme weather and forecast conditions.

"Therefore, for safety reasons we, along with our event partners, have taken the difficult decision to cancel all outdoor events. 

"We know that this will be hugely disappointing to all hoping to celebrate Hogmanay in Edinburgh and that people travel from around the world to be here at the Home of Hogmanay."

They added: "All indoor events are taking place as planned throughout the festival, including tonight’s performance of Swamplesque at Assembly Hall, the sold-out Idlewild concert at the Assembly Rooms, and on the 31st December, the Bairns New Year Revels and New Year Revels at the Assembly Rooms, and sold-out Candlelit Concert at St. Giles' Cathedral.

"We also continue to look forward to the packed First Footin' and Sprogmanay programme of events on New Year’s Day – a series of free and ticketed indoor music gigs across the city centre, Leith and Portobello."

Blackpool's New Year's Eve fireworks have also been cancelled due to the forecast of high winds in northwest England tomorrow night.

Organisers of London's celebrations are monitoring the weather carefully.