Edinburgh Street Party among Hogmanay celebrations cancelled amid 'extreme weather'

All outdoor events planned for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival have been cancelled due to extreme weather.

The Street Party, Concert in the Gardens and the Midnight Fireworks from Edinburgh Castle have been called off in the face of strong winds and heavy rain.

Organisers said they had been unable to continue preparing for the outdoor events, which were set to welcome thousands to the city.

The cancellation comes after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind covering the whole of the city, which will be in force from 7am on December 31 until 11pm.

The city’s popular torchlight procession was cancelled on Sunday due to high winds.

The event in the capital marks the beginning of the Hogmanay celebrations.

All indoor events planned as part of the celebrations will take place as planned and Edinburgh Trams has confirmed that free services will continue to operate between Edinburgh Airport and Newhaven despite the cancellations.

Services will operate up to every ten minutes from 12pm until 2am with a frequent service also throughout the early hours of New Year’s Day.

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 (December 30) and December 31 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 December 31, 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.

“Customer Service from point of purchase will be in touch with ticketholders directly with further instructions regarding refunds in due course.”

An indoor performance of Swamplesque at Assembly Hall, the sold-out Idlewild concert at the Assembly Rooms, and on the December 31, the Bairns New Year Revels and New Year Revels at the Assembly Rooms, and sold-out Candlelit Concert at St. Giles’ Cathedral will all go-ahead as planned, organisers have confirmed.

The 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 – is also expected to go-ahead.

City of Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher, added: “I know that, like me, many people will be very disappointed. This decision was not taken lightly, however with the ongoing adverse weather condition, public safety must be our number one priority.

“You’ll see from the programme that there are lots of exciting indoor events taking place. For those coming along to them – I know you’re in for a treat and will have a great time. Please make sure you stay up-to-date with the weather and transport on social media.”

Chief superintendent David Robertson, Police Scotland Gold Commander for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, commented: “Cancelling such an event is a difficult decision for the organisers, but public safety takes priority, so we fully support this decision.”