In pictures: Thousands gather to welcome winter at Samhuinn Fire Festival 2025

Thousands of people gathered in Edinburgh to welcome in winter at the Samhuinn Fire Festival.

Around 4,700 people descended on Holyrood Park on October 31 for the annual event.

The celebrations bring to life the “struggle between summer and winter” with a night filled with drumming, dance, fire theatre, and a host of otherworldly characters.

At the heart of the celebration stood the Cailleach, the divine Crone, guiding audiences through reflection and transformation.

Despite an initial spattering of rain, the wet weather subsided, bringing on an evening of fire, celebration, and passion to mark the start of the darker season.

The modern Samhuinn Fire Festival has been running since 1988.

Around 4,700 people descended on Holyrood Park on October 31 for the annual event. Bleu Hope

It is the autumn and winter counterpart to Beltane Fire Festival, which is held at Calton Hill on April 30.

The events are experiences that involve modern reimaginings of ancient Celtic festivals to mark the turning seasons and the turning of the wheel.

Thousands of people gathered in Edinburgh to welcome in winter at the Samhuinn Fire Festival. Zhi Kang Chua

The Beltane Fire Society is a charity run by volunteers, dedicated to marking the fire festivals of the ancient Celtic calendar and keeping traditional Scottish skills of street theatre, and music and pageantry alive.

Jenny Bloom, chair of Beltane Fire Society, said: “Another incredible Samhuinn! As the Cailleach ushers in winter, we carry her wisdom and strength into the dark months ahead.”