Hogmanay is the Scottish name for the traditional New Year's Eve celebration, especially in Edinburgh.
The word refers both to the final day of the year and to the customs surrounding the transition into the new year. Its precise origin is disputed, with proposed connections to French, Gaelic, Norse and other European terms. No single etymology is universally accepted.
Scottish Hogmanay customs include first-footing, in which the first person to enter a home after midnight is believed to influence the household's luck. Traditional gifts can include shortbread, whisky and coal, symbolizing food, warmth and prosperity.
Edinburgh's modern festival developed into a large public event featuring concerts, street celebrations and fireworks. The celebration is closely associated with “Auld Lang Syne,” the song based on a poem by Robert Burns, although Burns Night itself is held on January 25, not New Year's Eve.