Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Stonehaven Stonehaven Fireball Ceremony
AO Edited

Stonehaven Fireball Ceremony

This brilliant display of whirling fireballs celebrates Hogmanay.

Stonehaven, Scotland

Added By
Sandra McGhee
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Stonehaven Fireball Ceremony   Common Good
Stonehaven Fireball Ceremony  
Stonehaven Fireball Ceremony  
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Stonehaven is a quaint fishing town and a frequent tourist destination during the summer months. But it's not the bars and beaches that draw thousands to this little Scottish town in the middle of winter.

Stonehaven has a rather unique Hogmanay celebration. Before the stroke of midnight, pipers and drummers entertain the throngs of people celebrating the new year, building up the excitement for the main event. When the bells sound, the Stonehaven Fireball Ceremony begins.

Local men and women swirling large cages of burning fireballs march down the main street to cheering crowds. The event can last anywhere from 20 minutes to a full hour of masterful displays. Once the event ends, the fireballs are hurled into the harbor to the delight of the crowd. Although the event only has a recorded history of 150 years, it's believed to be much older. The festival symbolizes the burning off of evil spirits, so the new year can begin with a fresh start. 

Related Tags

Festivals

Know Before You Go

The event is free, but accommodations run out fairly quickly.

Community Contributors

Added By

ssm67alba

Edited By

tealeaves, linkogecko, jonathancarey

  • tealeaves
  • linkogecko
  • jonathancarey

Published

October 4, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Stonehaven Fireball Ceremony
High St
Stonehaven, Scotland, AB39 2JQ
United Kingdom
56.963661, -2.209288
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Dunnottar Castle

Stonehaven, Scotland

miles away

Kelly's Cats

Aberdeen, Scotland

miles away

Russell Head

Aberdeen, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Stonehaven

Stonehaven

Scotland

Places 2

Nearby Places

Dunnottar Castle

Stonehaven, Scotland

miles away

Kelly's Cats

Aberdeen, Scotland

miles away

Russell Head

Aberdeen, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Stonehaven

Stonehaven

Scotland

Places 2

Related Stories and Lists

13 Unusual Places to Ring in the New Year

List

By Roxanne Hoorn

12 Celebrations Where Fire and Fireworks Reign Supreme

List

By Jonathan Carey

Related Places

  • The mermaid on the rocks

    San Cibrao, Spain

    Estatua de Maruxaina

    This mermaid sculpture commemorates a Galician legend and an annual trial.

  • Display of masks made from various materials

    Bragança, Portugal

    O Museu Ibérico da Máscara e do Traje (Iberian Museum of Masks and Costumes)

    A collection of unique, and sometimes terrifying, handmade masks and costumes used for local festivals.

  • Visit the shrine on New Year’s Eve if you’re interested in yokai folklore.

    Tokyo, Japan

    Shōzoku Inari-jinja Shrine

    Thousands of foxes are said to gather and parade across the neighborhood of Ōji on New Year’s Eve.

  • Papier-mâché figures at the Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse.

    Aomori, Japan

    Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse

    Celebrating the famous Nebuta festival of Aomori and showcasing its huge papier-mâché floats.

  • Onalaska, Wisconsin, is the “Sunfish Capital of the World.”

    Onalaska, Wisconsin

    Sunny the Sunfish

    This giant fiberglass sunfish welcomes visitors to Onalaska, Wisconsin, the "Sunfish Capital of the World."

  • Olavinlinna with all three surviving towers visible

    Savonlinna, Finland

    Olavinlinna

    This island castle now hosts a world-famous opera festival.

  • Nontron, France

    Soufflaculs de Nontron

    This pair of statues commemorates a once-widespread carnival tradition of blowing on each other’s butts with bellows.

  • Shandur, Pakistan

    Shandur Polo Field

    At an altitude of 3,700 meters, this is the highest polo field in the world.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.