Samhuinn 2026: fire and Celtic magic on Calton Hill

Halloween in Edinburgh has a particular tradition that is hard to mistake: the Samhuinn Fire Festival, which returns to Calton Hill on Saturday 31 October to mark the Celtic New Year. Put on by the Beltane Fire Society, it runs from 6:30pm to 10:45pm and centres on the dramatic death of Summer and the arrival of Winter. Hundreds of performers bring Scotland's Celtic heritage to life with fire-play, drumming, acrobatics, dance, immersive performance and elaborate costumes, all set against the backdrop of the hill.

At the heart of the story are the Cailleach, the ancient Crone and Goddess of Winter, the Summer King and the Winter Queen. The narrative follows the overthrowing of Summer by Winter, with a dramatic stand-off between the Summer King and Winter Queen overseen by the Cailleach, a Celtic representation of the Goddess or Divine Hag. A bonfire is lit at the start of the rituals, and the whole thing is built around that seasonal turning point.

If you have not already sorted a ticket, there is a catch: they are now sold out. A waiting list is available through the authorised provider, Citizen Ticket, and tickets are neither transferable nor resellable. For reference, standard admission was £16.38, with a suggested £15.00 plus a £1.38 booking fee and a minimum payable of £13.00. Children under 16 were £13.16, again with a suggested £12.00 plus a £1.16 booking fee and a £10.00 minimum; they must be accompanied by an adult with a ticket and will get a wristband with the adult's details, collected at the orange gazebo. Low-Income Tickets start at a minimum of £10, a 50p increase on 2025 prices, and run on an honesty system. If you do have a ticket and need to change plans, refund requests must be made before 28 October, with refunds and returns stopping at 23:59 UK time on Wednesday 28 October.

Entry is strictly at 9:00pm, so there is no point arriving early. There is no seating provided, though camping chairs are allowed, which is worth knowing because the terrain on Calton Hill is irregular and slippery when wet; suitable footwear, a torch and following the stewards' and safety instructions are all sensible. Food and drink are allowed as long as there are no glass bottles, and there are small food concessions with vegan options. Facilities are basic, with a few chemical toilets and one accessible toilet for wheelchairs in the first-aid area.

A fair list of things is banned: large bags, glass, drums, loud instruments, fire objects, fireworks, barbecues, flammable liquids and drones. Drones in particular are strictly forbidden, and the organisers have said the police will be called if one enters the airspace. Keep at least two metres from performers carrying fire, avoid wearing synthetic clothing, and be aware that excessive alcohol will result in denied entry. The event also contains semi-nudity and uninhibited behaviour, so it is not one to bring small children to if that is a concern. With tickets gone, the waiting list is the only way in, so it is worth keeping an eye on Citizen Ticket as the date gets closer.