Edinburgh is especially famous for its New Year's Eve celebration called Hogmanay.
Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a large multi-day festival centered on the transition from December 31 to January 1. Its program has included torchlight processions, concerts, street parties, and fireworks near Edinburgh Castle. The exact schedule and size can change from year to year, but the celebration is one of Scotland's best-known New Year events.
The word Hogmanay refers broadly to the Scottish New Year celebration, not only to Edinburgh's festival. Scottish customs associated with the season include first-footing, in which the first person to enter a home after midnight is traditionally expected to bring symbolic gifts such as coal, shortbread, or whisky.
Edinburgh's modern public festival developed in the twentieth century and became internationally prominent through large organized events. It should not be confused with Burns Night, held on January 25 to honor Robert Burns. Hogmanay is a New Year tradition, while Burns Night celebrates Scotland's national poet.