Auld Lang Syne is traditionally performed at Edinburgh's Hogmanay midnight fireworks.
Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a major Scottish New Year's festival featuring concerts, street events, processions, and fireworks. At the transition into January 1, the gathering commonly joins in the singing of Robert Burns's “Auld Lang Syne,” linking the modern spectacle with an older Scottish song tradition.
The song's words were published by Burns in 1788, although they draw on earlier Scots material. Its theme is remembrance and enduring friendship, making it especially suitable for a year-end farewell and a communal new beginning.
Edinburgh's program can change from one year to another, and weather or public-safety decisions can affect outdoor events. The song itself is not exclusive to Edinburgh or Scotland: it is sung at midnight in many countries. What makes the Edinburgh association distinctive is its place within the large-scale Hogmanay celebration.