What is the name of Edinburgh’s major New Year’s Eve celebration, part of Scotland’s Hogmanay festivities?

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is the name of Edinburgh’s major New Year’s Eve celebration and part of Scotland’s Hogmanay festivities.

The modern event is centered on December 31 and commonly includes a torchlight procession, outdoor concerts, and a large street party. Its best-known setting is central Edinburgh, with the city’s historic skyline and castle providing a distinctive backdrop. Programming can change from year to year, but the celebration is internationally associated with welcoming the new year in Scotland’s capital.

Hogmanay is the Scottish name for New Year’s celebrations and may refer to several days of customs, not only one organized event. Traditional practices include “first-footing,” in which the first person to enter a home after midnight is believed to influence the household’s luck.

Edinburgh’s event should not be confused with Burns Night, which honors poet Robert Burns on January 25. Both celebrations draw on Scottish culture, but they mark different occasions.