Hogmanay is Scotland's New Year's Eve celebration, with major events held around Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.
Edinburgh's modern Hogmanay program has included torchlight processions, street celebrations, concerts, and fireworks. The name is Scottish and refers to the last day of the year, although its exact linguistic origin remains uncertain. Large public events have made Edinburgh one of the world's best-known destinations for New Year's celebrations.
Traditional Hogmanay customs include first-footing, in which the first person to enter a home after midnight is expected to bring good fortune. Gifts such as coal, shortbread, or whisky may be carried symbolically. Hogmanay is not the same event as Burns Night, which honors poet Robert Burns on January 25.