Edinburgh’s iconic outdoor New Year’s Eve celebrations have been cancelled by organisers as severe weather sweeps across Scotland.
The Street Party, Concert in the Gardens and the Midnight Fireworks from Edinburgh Castle – which are all part of the city’s annual Hogmanay celebrations – have been called off in the face of strong winds and heavy rain.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning in the city for wind from 7am on December 31 until 11pm. Elsewhere, yellow and amber warnings are in place for snow, rain and wind.
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 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 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. Customer service from point of purchase will be in touch with ticketholders directly with further instructions regarding refunds in due course.’
The spokesperson said all indoor events are taking place as planned.
It comes after Blackpool council said its fireworks display has been cancelled due to a forecast of high winds.
The council said it had made the ‘tough decision’ to axe the seaside spectacle, but confirmed the projection show set to music will still take place.
In an update on the Visit Blackpool website, it said that ‘due to the forecast of high winds tomorrow evening, we have had to make the tough decision to cancel the fireworks display this year.’
It added that the family party by the seaside village will still go ahead as planned.
Blackpool and surrounding areas have been blasted by strong winds this week, with gusts of up to 60 mph expected, the Met Office said.
2025 will be off to a blustery start, with a wind alert in place for New Years Eve from York to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Greenock, and separate weather warnings for wind and rain on January 1.
Senior Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said: ‘Moving into New Year’s Eve, another system moves in from the Atlantic, again, Scotland bearing the brunt of this one with some further heavy rain and snow and strong winds.
‘The winds also picking up for Northern Ireland and northern England through New Year’s Eve as well, with rain arriving into that part of the world – basically quite an unsettled last day of the year for the northern half of the UK.’
Blackpool is not the only place that has faced New Years Eve cancellations due to weather warnings.
In Essex, the popular Southend boat trips to watch the inaugural fireworks have been cancelled after a serious weather warning was issued.
Brownes Thames Estuary Boat and Fishing trips made the difficult decision to pull the alternative trip, penning on social media that it was a ‘real shame’.
‘This is completely out of our hands and cannot control the weather. Safety on our boats is paramount and we take every precaution seriously,’ they said.
‘We are very sorry to let you down. Fingers crossed for next year.’
Revellers are also expected to face travel disruptions across the UK this New Years Eve, with weather warnings in place between Monday and Thursday.
Delays to all types of transport are ‘likely’ on December 31st, as strong winds are predicted.
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