No, the fireballs ceremony is not a ticketed event.  The Fireballs Ceremony is a free event and we hope to keep it that way.

There is no entry fee for visitors coming to watch the fireballs ceremony.  There is an opportunity to make a donation when you enter the event, and these donations help Stonehaven Fireballs Association with the costs associated with running the ceremony.  All donations are very gratefully received.

The Fireball swingers begin lighting their fireballs moments before the bells, at midnight, with the procession starting on the first stroke of the bells.  The fireballs procession continues until around 00:25 when a fireworks display takes place above the bay, from the cliffs to the south side of the harbour.

We recommend arriving anytime from 22:00 to secure a good viewing spot and to avoid disappointment.  Should the numbers of spectators in the viewing area reach capacity, for safety reasons, the entry gates will close and no more people will be admitted. 

The entry gates will always close at 23:40 to allow safe movement of spectators within the area ready for the fireballs ceremony to begin at 00:00.

Parking is available: through out the town on all the streets (double yellow lines apply in some cases). There are also car parks available at -

• Market Square
• Stonehaven Leisure Centre
• Stonehaven Community Centre

Stonehaven will be busy on Hogmanay and please be considerate of local businesses and residents if you are parking on street.

The fireballs ceremony takes place in the High Street, the ‘auld toon’ area, close to the harbour.  Fireballs are lit on the Shorehead at the top of the slipway at the harbour.

The fireballs are swung in a procession up and down the High Street, as far as the upturned cast iron Cannon.

Yes, but transport to and from the ceremony is not arranged by the Stonehaven Fireballs Association.  We recommend that you contact local public transport providers to check timetables. 

Yes there is an accessible viewing point for spectators with a disability.  If you or someone you are attending with has a disability and you would like to use this area please contact us.  The accessible spectating area is on the High Street near the junction with King Street.  On arrival at the event, please inform a steward and you’ll be escorted to this area.  We plan to accommodate as many spectators with a disability as possible.  However, if demand for this area on Hogmanay is more than anticipated, we may ask that each person is accompanied by only one family member or friend with others in your party watching from just outside this barriered zone.