Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year celebration traditionally associated with fire festivals and gift-giving. It begins on New Year’s Eve and can include street parties, torchlight processions, music, dancing, and customs continuing into January 1 and January 2.
The word Hogmanay has uncertain origins, and scholars have proposed several possible French, Norse, Gaelic, and Scots influences. Scotland’s winter customs combine older seasonal practices with Christian-era observances and local traditions. Fire has a prominent symbolic role in events such as torchlight processions and fireball ceremonies.
First-footing is one of Hogmanay’s best-known customs. The first person to enter a household after midnight was traditionally expected to bring symbolic gifts such as coal, bread, salt, or whisky. Customs vary across Scotland, and not every Hogmanay celebration includes every practice. Hogmanay is therefore a broad seasonal festival rather than one single standardized ceremony.