This is how Edinburgh reacted to news that Hogmanay will be cancelled

The world-famous Street Party won’t take place in its current form in 2020 – and that’s a good thing or a bad thing, depending on who you ask.
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It is billed as the 'biggest New Year's Eve party on the planet” and attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all corners of the world to Edinburgh every winter.

The list of acts who have headlined the Capital's world-famous Hogmanay event reads like a veritable who's who of rock and pop royalty, including Blondie, Simple Minds, Biffy Clyro, Franz Ferdinand, The Proclaimers, Paolo Nutini, Pet Shop Boys, Scissor Sisters and many more.

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But sadly, it appears the Concert in the Gardens, the centrepiece of Edinburgh’s three-day Hogmanay festival, won't be taking place this year, with organisers saying that the entire Street Party event “cannot take place in its current form”, and recalling tickets in the process.

New Year revellers in Edinburgh won't be enjoying Concert in the Gardens this year.New Year revellers in Edinburgh won't be enjoying Concert in the Gardens this year.
New Year revellers in Edinburgh won't be enjoying Concert in the Gardens this year.

A statement from Underbelly, the organiser behind the famous street party, said: “Tickets for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party have been on sale since January 1st 2020.

“Exciting and positive discussions are taking place between the City of Edinburgh Council and Underbelly in relation to the Hogmanay programme for 2020.

“However, it is clear to all parties that the famous Street Party cannot take place in its current form in 2020 and tickets are being taken off sale as of 22 July 2020.”

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Plans for an adapted or revised Street Party haven’t been scrapped entirely, meaning that the Hogmanay celebrations might still happen. But it's probably safe to say we can forget about seeing a huge headliner playing an open-air concert in Princes Street Gardens this winter.

The news Edinburgh's Street Party is being cancelled provoked a strong reaction from readers across Edinburgh, with the vast majority agreeing on social media that it was the right decision to pull the plug.

Steven Oliver wrote: “Correct call. To go ahead with it this year would have been extremely foolish.”

David Carnegie said: “Maybe we could go back to locals seeing in the bells at the Tron without all the stages and other pomp.”

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Ashley Dee added: “Good. If they are fearful of a second wave. then a street party is the worst idea.”

Karen Chappell said: “Should think so as well reckon we will have a second wave,” while Fiona McFarland wrote: “Great, if everything else this year has been cancelled, so should the Hogmanay madness. It will be lovely to have our city to ourselves for one year.”

Alan Ramsay said: “Thank god! Maybe the council will remember that the people of Edinburgh also celebrate New Year! Does any of the money go back into Edinburgh or just to the organisers?”

Not everyone was happy to learn the Street Party won't be happening, though.

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Michael Ulloa wrote: “A year of no Edinburgh Fringe and no Hogmanay celebrations just isn’t right.”

Emma Bruce said: “Aw, this is a shame.”

Lorraine Cochrane said: “Pity, but it's for the best. There will always be other years, whereas a lot of people might not see those other years. Think positive.”

Emma Walton wrote: “So very sad.”

Alana Massie tweeted: “A major blow for Edinburgh’s economy this year.”

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