Edinburgh’s famous Scottish New Year’s Eve festival is called Hogmanay.
Edinburgh Hogmanay is a large public celebration centered on the arrival of the new year. Its program has included torchlight processions, concerts, street parties, and fireworks, making the Scottish capital one of the best-known destinations for New Year festivities.
The word Hogmanay refers broadly to the Scottish celebration of New Year’s Eve, not only to Edinburgh’s organized event. Scotland’s traditions also include first-footing, in which the first person to enter a home after midnight is associated with the household’s luck for the coming year.
The precise origin of the word Hogmanay is disputed. Scholars have proposed Scandinavian, French, Gaelic, and other linguistic connections. It is also distinct from Burns Night, which honors poet Robert Burns on January 25, and from St Andrew’s Day, Scotland’s national day.