Hogmanay 2024 at Camera Obscura

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our wonderful visitors and dedicated team members for making this year truly fantastic. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions wouldn’t be the same without each and every one of you. Here’s to an exciting New Year and Hogmanay ahead—we can’t wait to share it with you!

This year, we welcomed our one-millionth visitor, won Gold in the Green Tourism Awards, celebrated our team members Irena and Marta's 10-year milestones at Camera Obscura, donned a giant egg costume for Easter, embraced Pride Weekend, and almost met Taylor Swift—well, the cardboard cutout version of her, anyway. We introduced our new Pin Wall exhibit, participated in the Kilt Walk, won the 2024 Forth Visitor Attraction Award, dressed up for Halloween, received the National Thistle Award for Tourism & Hospitality Employer of the Year, and even had the Grinch stirring up some festive mischief this season. What a year it’s been!

A little bit of Hogmanay history for you…

Hogmanay is the Scottish word for New Year’s Eve and is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s most important holidays. For nearly 400 years, Christmas was largely banned, right up until the 1950s. As a result, many Scots chose to celebrate the winter solstice on New Year and gathered with all their family and friends.

Since 1993, Edinburgh has taken Hogmanay festivities to another level, hosting a world-famous festival that has grown into one of the largest outdoor New Year’s Eve celebrations globally. The event features music, fireworks, torchlit processions, and cultural performances. Thousands of revellers from around the world fill the streets to welcome the New Year. Before "The Bells" at midnight, Robert Burns's famous Auld Lang Syne is sung while everyone joins hands.

Did you know?

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Auld Lang Syne is one of the most frequently sung songs in English. Its timeless melody has been featured in numerous films, ranging from the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life to the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally.