Hogmanay is the Scottish name for New Year’s Eve and its associated celebrations.
The word refers both to the final day of the year and to the Scottish customs surrounding the transition into the new year. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is internationally known for concerts, a torchlight procession, fireworks and a large street party, although events can vary by year.
Scottish Hogmanay traditions include first-footing, in which the first person to enter a home after midnight is thought to influence the household’s luck. Traditional gifts may include whisky, shortbread or coal, symbolizing warmth and prosperity.
The song “Auld Lang Syne,” strongly associated with New Year celebrations worldwide, has especially deep connections with Scotland because of its Scots language and association with Robert Burns. Hogmanay is not the same festival as Burns Night, which honors Burns on January 25.