Edinburgh holds the annual Hogmanay Torchlight Procession through its streets.
The Edinburgh Torchlight Procession is a major opening event for the city's Hogmanay celebrations. Participants carry flaming torches through the historic centre, creating a moving river of light against the skyline of Edinburgh's Old Town and castle. The procession commonly ends at or near Holyrood Park, where the torches are gathered into a large fire display.
The event is a modern organized spectacle rather than a single unchanged medieval ceremony. Its imagery draws on Scotland's winter fire traditions, including customs associated with cleansing, protection, and marking seasonal transitions. The procession has also included torchbearers from different communities and visiting groups, giving it an international character.
It is easy to confuse the Torchlight Procession with the Edinburgh Street Party or the midnight fireworks. They are separate parts of the Hogmanay program, and the procession normally occurs before midnight. Dates, routes, and participation rules can vary, so published event details should be checked for any particular year.