Edinburgh hosts the Hogmanay street party and torchlight events that mark Scotland's New Year.
Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a major multi-day celebration centered on the Scottish capital. Its program has included a torchlight procession, concerts, a large street party, and fireworks near Edinburgh Castle. The exact schedule and ticketing arrangements can change from year to year, but the city's association with internationally known Hogmanay celebrations is longstanding.
Hogmanay is the Scottish word for New Year's Eve and can describe celebrations throughout Scotland, not only Edinburgh's event. Scottish customs associated with the season include first-footing, in which the first person to enter a home after midnight brings symbolic gifts or good luck. Edinburgh's modern festival grew especially prominent through organized public events and international tourism. Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress on Castle Rock; it is the backdrop for the fireworks, not the name of the festival itself. This distinction separates the landmark from the citywide celebration.