Edinburgh's Hogmanay traditionally begins with the Torchlight Procession, a major evening parade through the city.
The event brings torchbearers through central Edinburgh in a large procession, creating a moving stream of firelight beneath the city's historic skyline. It is commonly held on December 30, before the main Hogmanay celebrations on New Year's Eve. The route has changed over time, but the procession has linked ceremonial spectacle with Edinburgh's streets and landmarks.
Hogmanay is the Scottish term for the New Year festival, and Edinburgh's modern program developed into a large, organized series of concerts, parties, and public events. The torchlit parade provides a dramatic opening to that program rather than being the same event as the midnight street party.
Visitors sometimes use “Hogmanay” to mean only the Edinburgh street celebration. In fact, Hogmanay refers broadly to Scottish New Year customs, while the Torchlight Procession is one particular Edinburgh event within the wider festival.