Hogmanay is the Scottish name for New Year’s Eve celebrations and the surrounding New Year period.
The word refers especially to Scottish customs held on December 31 and into January 1. Its exact origin is uncertain, and several possible French, Norse, Gaelic, and Scots-language connections have been proposed. The uncertainty is part of the term’s long linguistic history rather than evidence for one settled derivation.
Hogmanay traditions include first-footing, in which the first person to enter a home after midnight is associated with good fortune. Traditional gifts can include coal, shortbread, salt, or whisky. Singing “Auld Lang Syne,” a song strongly associated with Robert Burns, is also common at the turn of the year.
Edinburgh’s modern Hogmanay festivities became internationally prominent through large outdoor gatherings, concerts, torchlight events, and fireworks. Celebrations vary across Scotland, but the name is specifically Scottish; it is not simply another name for Burns Night, which commemorates the poet’s birthday in January.