With 2023 just days away, Aberdeen and Stonehaven are ready to bring in the bells on Hogmanay in style.
And the Press & Journal has compiled a guide for everything you need to know about attending either of the north-east’s big celebrations.
Bustling street party in Aberdeen
Aberdeen will be hosting the “ultimate street party” with a stage on Schoolhill in the city centre, with the free event starting at 8pm.
Three musical acts will be the focal point of the city’s Hogmanay celebrations, with each performing live on stage from 8.30pm, before a fireworks display on the stroke of midnight.
First to perform at the non-ticketed event will be local DJ Jeff Diack, followed by the Silver City Soul Revue and it will end with Kopycat Killers.
It will be a fully accessible event and an area has been provided for those with accessibility needs beside Aberdeen Art Gallery.
The only entrance to the event is via Schoolhill at the junction of Back Wynd and Harriet Street.
The following road closures and restrictions will be in place for the Aberdeen Hogmanay celebrations:
From 6pm on December 30 until 6am on January 1
- Schoolhill Pocket Park area will be closed at its junctions with Schoolhill.
From 10am on December 31 until 6am on January 1
- Rosemount Viaduct (from Union Terrace to Blackfriars Street)
- Schoolhill (from Blackfriars Street to Back Wynd)
- Back Wynd (from Schoolhill to Little Belmont Street)
- Blackfriars Street (from Rosemount Viaduct to St Andrew Street)
- Belmont Street (from Schoolhill to Union Street)
- Little Belmont Street (from Back Wynd to Belmont Street)
- Gaelic Lane (from Belmont Street to Back Wynd)
From 6pm on December 31 until 6am January 1
- Schoolhill (from Flourmill Lane to Harriet Street)
- Harriet Street (from Schoolhill to Loch Street)
From 11:30pm on December 31 until 12:30am on January 1
- Union Street (from Market Street to Bridge Street/Union Terrace)
- Union Terrace (from Union Street to Rosemount Viaduct)
- Rosemount Viaduct (from Union Terrace to Skene Street)
- Diamond Place (from Union Terrace to Diamond Street)
From 11:50pm on December 31 until 12:30am on January 1
- The whole length of Denburn Road will be closed in both directions.
Fiery celebrations in Stonehaven
In Aberdeenshire, the world famous Stonehaven Fireballs will also take place on Hogmanay, which will see approximately 40 men and women parade up and down the town’s High Street swinging fiercely flaming balls around their heads.
The Fireballs start at midnight, with the night’s street entertainment starting at 11pm. Most people start to arrive between 10pm and 10.30pm.
Organisers said: “Do not leave your arrival to the last minute, as we have to close access to the High Street when we reach capacity. This can happen any time after 11pm.”
As well as the spectacular Fireballs themselves, there will also be a pipe band performance and street drummers.
At 12.25am fireworks will be set off from the road above the harbour at Bervie Braes, which can be seen throughout the town.
Cooling off after Hogmanay?
And for those who prefer there New Year celebrations to be slightly cooler, the traditional nippy dip will take place in Stonehaven.
The first dookers will run into the sea at the town’s harbour at 12noon for the annual fundraiser.
It costs £10 to take part with organisers raising money for a new 24-hour access defibrillator in the community as well as the local Christmas lights.
Tickets can be bought online here.
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