Edinburgh hosts Scotland's famous annual Hogmanay street party.
Edinburgh's organized Hogmanay celebrations are centered around the historic city center and have included concerts, processions, and large outdoor gatherings. The event became especially prominent as a modern festival in the late twentieth century, building on Scotland's older New Year customs.
One well-known feature is the Torchlight Procession, which takes place before New Year's Eve and passes through parts of the city. The main festivities can include live music and a midnight fireworks display near Edinburgh Castle, whose position above the city creates a distinctive backdrop.
The city celebration is only one part of Hogmanay. Across Scotland, households may observe first-footing, sing “Auld Lang Syne,” and welcome visitors after midnight. Edinburgh's event is famous because it turns those national traditions into a large, internationally marketed public festival.