When it comes to style, nobody does New Year better than Edinburgh

Nowhere is the Hogmanay experience more unforgettable than in our capital city.

Every year more than 100,000 people come from all over the world to Edinburgh to enjoy one of the world’s biggest and best parties in one of the world’s most dramatically beautiful cities.

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Ticket information Partygoers at Hogmanay can choose from a number of stages and events to help bring in the New Year. For three stages, two giant screens and one great party, the Royal Bank Street Party Passes have a £5 administration fee. Edinburgh's Hogmanay Party Packs are £20 each and include a Royal Bank Street Party Pass and official merchandise (a lanyard with information cards, scotlandistheplace.com wooly hat, lip gloss, mobile phone charm, temporary tattoos and badge) and would make a great souvenir or even a present. For the Concert in the Gardens, the music and fireworks specatcular, last available tickets are £32.50 (plus a £2.50 booking fee) and include a Royal Bank Street Party Pass. For the Ceilidh in the Gardens – Scottish dancin’ with a twist, tickets are £35 (plus a £2.50 booking fee) and include a Royal Bank Street Party Pass. For vouchers for torches and all tickets (including the New Year Revels, Candlelit Concert at St Giles’ Cathedral and One O'clock Run) call 0131 473 2000 or go on-line to www.edinburghshogmanay.com or visit Edinburgh's Hogmanay Box Office at The Hub on Castlehill. Other ticket outlets are listed on the web site.

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And for everyone who lives and works in Edinburgh, the great news is that it’s right on our doorstep.

This year’s four-day festival is packed full of events for children and adults of all ages.

It all gets off to a sizzling start with the Torchlight Procession on 29 December when the path from the Royal Mile to Calton Hill comes alive with a river of flame from thousands of burning torches, all sold in aid of local charities.

This spectacular event climaxes with the burning of a Viking longboat on Calton Hill. Torches can be bought in advance to make sure you get as many as you need, with some also available on the night.

On 30 December, the Night Afore International sees Scotland teaming up with Germany to produce a carnival of colour, music and culture on George Street.

On the ceilidh stage, Scotland’s Blazin’ Fiddles go head to head with Theatre Titanick, Germany’s foremost outdoor performance groups and street artists from all over both countries come together for a night of eating, drinking, laughing and dancing.

Everyone will be encouraged to take part in the longest Strip the Willow to make history – and friends – all in one go. This is a free unticketed street extravaganza that is great for children and adults alike.

On Hogmanay itself, be prepared for the biggest party of the year – The Royal Bank Street Party – featuring three free stages at Waverley, the Scott Monument and The Mound.

Scottish chart-toppers, The Fratellis, on The Waverley Stage, will lead a spectacular line-up of bands.

Concert in the Gardens will see Pet Shop Boys and Scotland’s latest singing sensation, Paolo Nutini, sharing the limelight.

Paolo said: “I am over the moon to be asked to play at the Hogmanay festivities in Scotland.

On the move This Hogmanay, VisitScotland is offering a new ‘on the move’ information service for visitors and city residents. By texting to a number via a mobile phone or download to a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), you can receive instant information on where to eat and drink, together with details of events on from 29 December through to 1 January. The ‘on the move’ service will also give additional tips on some of the hidden gems of Edinburgh and, in particular, areas beyond the city centre for exploring such as Marchmont, Cramond, Stockbridge and Leith. Up-to-date weather and details of the Tourist Information Centre in Princes Street will also be available via this service. The numbers will be promoted throughout the city on posters and flyers as well as on the website. Find out all you need to know this Hogmanay by logging on to www.visitscotland.com/findit For all those out on the street on the night, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has teamed up with Lothian and Borders Police to offer a brand new service. Text POLICE EG2 2EL to 88588 to sign up for information updates, weather warnings and safety information before, during and after the events.

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“It’s a thrill to be playing at home on the most special night of the year. I hope that we can really pull out all the stops and make sure the crowd has a roaring good night.”

Other celebrations include the Ceilidh in the Gardens, in East Princes Street Gardens, with some of Scotland’s top traditional and contemporary musicians performing live outdoors on two stages.

In true Scottish spirit, thousands of revellers will join in the toe-tapping fun, sharing traditional dances with fellow revellers from all over the world. Tickets for the event include a Royal Bank Street Party Pass, allowing access to a dedicated arena.

If indoor glamour is more your thing, then try the New Year Revels at the Assembly Rooms in George Street.

This will be one great party with three rooms of music to keep you rocking and reeling all night.

Enjoy the fantastic line-up, switch between traditional ceilidhs and DJ disco and top up your energy levels at the Haggis Bar for a Hogmanay experience to remember.

Thousands of people will descend on Princes Street to ring out the old and bring in the new by enjoying the music and watching the breathtaking annual firework display at the Castle that will welcome in 2007.

Catch the action on screens around the arena and enjoy music from the many stages on offer.

And even if you can’t make it to the city centre, you can experience the thrill of the stroke of midnight, when the night sky above Edinburgh becomes a sea of colour with the 7 Hills Fireworks.

And on the next day...

When the festivities die down, there is still plenty to do.

Start the New Year with good intentions by taking part in one of the many sporting activities on offer.

The One O’clock Run, starting at the Castle and running to Holyrood Park, is a short non-competitive event which is open to everyone.

The Iron Kids Duathlon consists of a run-bike-run event for eight to 15 year olds and for the more competitive adult, the Triathlon, a swim-bike-run event, will be right up your street.

Holyrood Park is also the venue for Edinburgh’s Dogmanay where huskies take part in a race to the finish line.

Finally, for the very brave (or very mad!) head to South Queensferry and take part in the Loony Dook, an annual event in which participants are encouraged to dress up and take a swim in the bracing waters of the Firth of Forth.

When the world is in party mood and everyone wants to see the old year out with a bang, Edinburgh – the home of Hogmanay – has something for everyone from the very young to the young at heart.

For more information, visit: www.edinburghshogmanay.com and register on the subscriber list to receive updates on the programme and artists.