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Get ready to ring in the new year with a bang on Hogmanay, celebrated on December 31! This traditional Scottish holiday has been around for centuries and is full of rich history and traditions. The name "Hogmanay" comes from the Scots word for the last day of the year, but its origins can be traced back to pagan winter solstice celebrations. Today, Hogmanay is celebrated with parties, fireworks, and first-footing – where the first person to enter a home after midnight brings a gift for good luck. So let's raise our glasses and toast to new beginnings on this exciting holiday!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1600s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Early Festivities</div><div class='timeline-text'>Hogmanay customs begin to form, featuring bonfires, singing, dancing, and drinking to celebrate the New Year.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1690</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Recorded Use</div><div class='timeline-text'>The word 'Hogmanay' first appears in a written document, suggesting that the holiday has been recognized for years prior.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1707</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Christmas Ban Increases Hogmanay's Popularity</div><div class='timeline-text'>Due to the Christmas ban by Scottish Presbyterians, more importance was given to the New Year's Eve celebration of Hogmanay.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1951</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Modern Traditions Begin</div><div class='timeline-text'>The traditional Hogmanay party in Princess Street in Edinburgh begins, ultimately becoming one of the world's biggest New Year's Eve celebrations.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1996</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Official Hogmanay Festival</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first official Edinburgh's Hogmanay festival is held, incorporating a street party and concert on Princess Street.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Record-Breaking Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Hogmanay event in the year 2000 draws about 400,000 attendees, making it the largest New Year's Eve event in the world.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a traditional Hogmanay celebration</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Experience the true Scottish celebration by attending a traditional Hogmanay event. These celebrations often include live music, dancing, and a countdown to midnight with fireworks.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Have a bonfire or firework display</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family and have a bonfire or firework display to ring in the new year. Make sure to follow all safety precautions and laws in your area.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a Hogmanay dinner party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite your loved ones over for a traditional Hogmanay dinner. Serve dishes like haggis, neeps and tatties, and cranachan for dessert.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go on a New Year's Day hike</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Start the new year off on the right foot by going on a New Year's Day hike. Enjoy the beautiful Scottish scenery and get some exercise at the same time.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create your own Hogmanay traditions</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Make Hogmanay your own by starting your own traditions. Whether it's watching a specific movie, playing games, or making resolutions, find something that you and your loved ones can do every year to celebrate together.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a unique way to celebrate New Year's Eve</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Hogmanay is the Scottish celebration of New Year's Eve and it offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional festivities. It combines ancient traditions with modern celebrations, making it a truly special and memorable way to ring in the new year.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>There's something for everyone</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Whether you prefer lively street parties or cozy gatherings with loved ones, Hogmanay has something for everyone. From the Torchlight Procession to the spectacular fireworks display, there are plenty of events and activities to choose from throughout Scotland during this time.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates tradition and history</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Hogmanay has its roots in ancient Celtic traditions and customs, making it a fascinating and culturally rich holiday. The customs associated with Hogmanay, such as "first footing", have been passed down for generations and are still practiced today.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Loony Dook is an Eccentric Hogmanay Tradition</h3><p class='facts-content'>On New Year's Day, brave individuals participate in the Loony Dook – a tradition of a chilled dip in the River Forth, often in fancy dress, to wash off the Hogmanay hangovers.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Custom of First-Footing Involves More than Just Visits</h3><p class='facts-content'>The first-footing custom involves bringing a gift to ensure good luck – usually items such as coal, whisky, shortbread or a black bun and must be a dark-haired male to bring the most luck.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hogmanay's Symbolic Fire Rituals Has Viking Roots</h3><p class='facts-content'>Fire displays during Hogmanay have roots traced back to the Viking’s celebration of the winter solstice, symbolizing the power of the sun to purify and ward off evil spirits.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>"Auld Lang Syne" is Traditionally Sung Globally at Midnight</h3><p class='facts-content'>The song used globally to celebrate the New Year, "Auld Lang Syne," is a Scots-language poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. It is traditionally sung at the stroke of midnight to bid farewell to the old year.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Stonehaven Fireballs Ceremony is a Unique Hogmanay Celebration</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the fishing village of Stonehaven, the midnight parade sees locals swing flaming balls of fire over their heads as they walk through the streets, a tradition thought to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the coming year.</p></div></div>
Hogmanay is celebrated on December 31 every year. In 2024 Hogmanay will occur on a Tuesday.
2023
Dec 31
Sunday
2024
Dec 31
Tuesday
2025
Dec 31
Wednesday
2026
Dec 31
Thursday
2027
Dec 31
Friday
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