New Year’s Eve is a great time to meet up with friends and family. It is a chance to look back on the year that has just gone, and to look ahead to the one to come.
And with so many great accessible events out there this year, we wanted to bring you just a few of the best.
So, brush up on the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne, and head to one of Quingo Scooters’ picks of the best accessible New Year events.
Edinburgh
Nowhere on the planet does New Year’s Eve like Edinburgh. Hogmanay is huge here. This is the city that once (allegedly) fired a full barrel of whisky into the air as the finale for one display.
It is always busy and the street party itself is a ticketed (and very popular) event. If you are prepared for the enormous crowds and want to see some of the bands then book your tickets here. The three entrances to the street party are all fully accessible. Once again, the organisers stress that this is a busy event and suggest the east end of Princes Street if you want somewhere (relatively) quieter.
If you don’t fancy the street party, then the Torchlight Procession is well worth seeing. This parade of pipers and drummer passes through the historic Old Town and is accessible (although watch out for the cobbles and kerbs).
You can also join the procession at Abbey Strand next to the Palace of Holyrood House. Box office and ticket information here.
London
London’s New Year celebrations are a global phenomenon. Unsurprisingly, tickets to the main firework display have now sold out completely, but don’t despair. The display is absolutely spectacular and there are still tickets available for a viewing event at the Southbank Centre.
The Centre itself is in prime position on the banks of the Thames. It’s a fully ticketed event and you’ll need to get there well before 8pm to make sure you get in. You can either book a meal or buy food on the night. The Southbank Centre is largely accessible too – you can view a map of all of the step-free areas here.
Book your tickets here.
Manchester
If the packed streets and cold nights aren’t quite what you’re after, then perhaps some 1920’s glamour might suit you better. This year, the luxurious Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel is hosting a sumptuous event to see in the New Year.
It has a Great Gatsby theme and your ticket includes a delicious meal and musical entertainment. There will be live jazz and blues and we think this is just the perfect way to end the year in style.
The venue is fully accessible and the hotel itself also has a number of accessible rooms if you want to stay over. Give the team a call on 0161 7511 412 if you have any particular requirements you want to discuss. Book your tickets here.
Stonehaven
We had to end this tour of New Year’s Eve events back in Scotland, where Hogmanay is such a huge occasion. Our final choice is an unusual one – the Fireball Ceremony in Stonehaven. It’s a unique event that involves a parade of men and women swinging fireballs above their heads to spectacular effect.
That’s not quite as dangerous as it sounds, as there is an accessible viewing point (at a safe distance!) for those of us who use a mobility scooter. From there, you’ll get a fantastic view of this incredible display. It’s an event that feels like no other – a joyous (and slightly hair-raising) way to see in 2020.
This is a free event, so no need to get a ticket. However (as with all New Year’s events), expect big crowds, so make sure you turn up in good time. Once you’re there, just ask a friendly steward and they will take you straight to the accessible area. Find out more about this remarkable event here.
Did you know?
There are lots of theories about the origins of the word ‘Hogmanay’ – from the French ‘Homme est né’ or (‘Man is born’) to the Scandinavian word for the festival, ‘Hoggo-nott’. The truth is, no one knows for sure.
About Quingo Scooters
The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.
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All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC). AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 30847
