Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year’s Eve event whose name refers to the last day of the year.
The word Hogmanay is used for Scotland’s New Year celebration, including parties, concerts, street events, and traditional customs. Its exact origin is disputed. Proposed explanations have connected it with Scots, French, Norse, and Gaelic influences, so claims that it has one universally proven linguistic source should be treated cautiously.
Hogmanay became particularly prominent in Scotland after Christmas celebrations were restricted or discouraged in some periods following the Reformation. In later centuries, New Year customs developed into an important national celebration. Traditions include first-footing, singing “Auld Lang Syne,” fire festivals, and public gatherings.
Hogmanay is often treated as simply the Scottish word for New Year’s Eve, but it can also refer to the wider period of celebration surrounding the date. It is distinct from Burns Night, which honors poet Robert Burns on January 25, and from Beltane, a seasonal festival held in spring.