The traditional Scottish name for Edinburgh's large New Year's Eve celebration is Hogmanay.
Hogmanay is the Scots word for the final day of the year and for the associated New Year festivities. Edinburgh developed one of the world's best-known modern Hogmanay events, with concerts, a torchlight procession, street gatherings, and a midnight fireworks display, although the precise program varies.
Scottish New Year customs also include first-footing. Traditionally, the first person to enter a household after midnight was expected to bring symbolic gifts such as coal, bread, salt, or whisky. A tall, dark-haired first-footer was historically considered especially lucky in some regions.
Hogmanay is not simply another name for Christmas. Scotland historically placed especially strong emphasis on New Year celebrations, while Christmas observance was more restricted in earlier periods. Today, Hogmanay combines older customs with large public events and contemporary music.