Hogmanay is the traditional Scottish name for New Year’s celebrations.
The word refers broadly to the Scottish New Year festival and its customs, parties, and public events. Celebrations can include singing “Auld Lang Syne,” first-footing, torchlight events, street parties, and family gatherings.
First-footing is the custom of visiting friends or neighbors after midnight, with the first visitor believed to influence the household’s luck. Traditional gifts may include symbolic items such as coal, shortbread, or whisky, though modern practices vary.
Edinburgh hosts one of the world’s best-known Hogmanay programs, but Hogmanay is a national Scottish tradition rather than the name of a single city event. It is also distinct from the English term New Year’s Eve.