Hogmanay is the traditional Scottish New Year's celebration held on December 31.
The word refers to the Scottish observance of New Year's Eve and, by extension, the surrounding festivities. Hogmanay customs vary across Scotland and include street parties, torchlight processions, singing, fireworks, and visits between households after midnight.
One famous associated practice is first-footing, in which the first person to enter a home after midnight is thought to influence the household's luck. However, Hogmanay is broader than that single custom. Large public celebrations have been held in cities such as Edinburgh, where organized events can include concerts and processions.
The celebration's name has a debated origin, with proposed links to Scots, French, Gaelic, and Norse influences. Because its etymology is uncertain, the word's meaning should not be confused with the separate question of which customs Scotland practices at midnight.