Edinburgh holds the annual New Year's Eve celebration commonly called Hogmanay.
Hogmanay is Scotland's traditional name for New Year's Eve and its associated festivities. Edinburgh's celebration is particularly famous for its large public events, including street parties, concerts, torchlight processions and fireworks near Edinburgh Castle. The modern festival attracts visitors from around the world, although its exact program changes over time.
Scotland's New Year customs reflect the importance historically given to the first day of the year. First-footing, for example, involves the first visitor entering a home after midnight and bringing good wishes or symbolic gifts. Singing “Auld Lang Syne,” the Robert Burns-associated song, is also strongly connected with New Year gatherings in Scotland and internationally.
Hogmanay is not the name of Edinburgh itself, nor is it limited to one street party. Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and many Scottish communities hold their own Hogmanay events. Edinburgh is the city most closely identified with the internationally publicized festival.