On which date does Hogmanay traditionally begin in Scotland?

Hogmanay traditionally begins on 31 December, Scotland's New Year's Eve.

Hogmanay is the Scottish celebration of the final day of the year and the arrival of the new one. It is marked by gatherings, street events, music, fireworks and customs such as first-footing, in which the first person to enter a home after midnight is believed to influence the household's luck.

The word Hogmanay refers especially to the New Year's Eve festival, although events may continue into New Year's Day and, in some Scottish traditions, 2 January. Scotland's celebration became particularly prominent because Christmas was historically observed less publicly in parts of the country after the Reformation, while New Year retained a major social role.

Hogmanay is often confused with the name of a single street party. In fact, it describes a broad Scottish New Year tradition with different local celebrations. Edinburgh's events are famous, but they are only one part of Scotland's wider Hogmanay culture.