Scotland’s New Year’s Eve festival, traditionally celebrated with torchlight processions and street parties, is called Hogmanay.
Hogmanay is the Scottish term for the last day of the year and for the celebrations surrounding it. Modern observances can include concerts, fireworks, torchlight processions, dancing, and large public gatherings. Edinburgh hosts one of the world’s best-known Hogmanay programs, centered on the city’s historic streets and landmarks.
Scottish New Year customs also include first-footing. In this tradition, the first person to enter a household after midnight is expected to bring good fortune, sometimes symbolized by gifts such as whisky, shortbread, or coal. Customs vary by region and family.
Hogmanay’s exact word origin is uncertain, and historians have proposed several possible linguistic influences. It should not be confused with Burns Night, which honors poet Robert Burns on January 25, or St Andrew’s Day, Scotland’s national day on November 30.