Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year's Eve festival celebrated across Scotland.
The word refers to Scottish New Year's Eve customs and celebrations, whose best-known elements include public gatherings, singing, torchlight events, and first-footing. In first-footing, the first person to enter a home after midnight traditionally brings symbolic gifts such as food or drink.
Scotland's celebrations vary by place. Edinburgh hosts one of the world's most famous large-scale Hogmanay events, while communities elsewhere hold their own parties, concerts, and fire ceremonies. The song “Auld Lang Syne,” associated with the Scottish poet Robert Burns, is also strongly linked with the occasion.
Hogmanay is not simply another name for Christmas. Historically, Christmas was less prominent in Scotland for long periods, while New Year customs became especially important. Modern festivities combine older folklore with organized public events and contemporary music.