Edinburgh hosts the annual Hogmanay New Year's Eve festival in Scotland.
Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a multi-day celebration centered on the transition from December 31 to January 1. Its events have included a torchlight procession, outdoor concerts, a major street party, and fireworks near Edinburgh Castle. The festival's name uses the Scots word Hogmanay, which refers to New Year's Eve celebrations.
The modern large-scale festival developed in the twentieth century, particularly after public New Year's celebrations expanded in the city. Edinburgh's dramatic historic setting, including the castle and Old Town, gives the event a distinctive visual identity.
Hogmanay also includes older Scottish customs such as first-footing, in which the first person to enter a household after midnight is traditionally associated with the household's luck for the coming year. Edinburgh's festival should not be confused with Scotland's entire Hogmanay tradition, which is observed in communities throughout the country.