Hogmanay is the Scottish name for New Year's Eve, celebrated on 31 December. It can mean a busy city event, a local gathering or an evening at home with people you know. There is no single programme every Scottish household follows.
Customs include visiting friends after midnight and singing Auld Lang Syne. Families and organised events choose their own way to celebrate.
What are “the bells”?
People use “the bells” for midnight as New Year's Eve becomes New Year's Day. Scotland.org's Hogmanay guide describes the celebration and the customs that surround it.
If someone asks where you will be for the bells, they mean where you will spend midnight.
For an organised event, check the arrival time and entry conditions when booking. The programme may begin well before midnight.
What is first-footing?
First-footing is a New Year visiting custom in which the first person to enter a household after midnight is associated with luck for the coming year. Traditional accounts include symbolic gifts such as coal, shortbread and whisky. Scotland.org also describes customary ideas about who the first visitor should be.
Ask your host whether they plan to follow the custom and what you could bring.
Check food preferences and whether your hosts drink alcohol. Arrange the visit in advance.
Why does Auld Lang Syne appear?
Auld Lang Syne, closely associated with Robert Burns, is part of New Year gatherings in Scotland and far beyond it. Its connection with memory and old friendship suits a moment when people look backwards and forwards at once.
Read our guide to Burns's wit and satire for other examples of his writing.
Join in if you wish, following the lead of the gathering.
Fire, music and local celebrations
VisitScotland's Hogmanay guide describes city events, ceilidhs and local fire traditions, including the Stonehaven fireballs. Follow the individual organisers for the current year's arrangements.
Check the organiser's dates, entry requirements and access information. Look for weather updates before setting off.
Planning a Hogmanay visit
Book a place to stay and establish how you will return there after the event. A normal weekday transport timetable may not describe a holiday night. Check your operator's festive service information close to travel.
For Edinburgh's organised celebrations, read the official event FAQs for the relevant year's programme, including entry restrictions and access arrangements. Look at cancellation and weather communications before leaving for the venue. Outdoor plans need suitable clothing and a realistic idea of how long your group wants to stand outside.
For a quieter evening, arrange a meal or a visit with friends.
Visiting in January as well? Our Burns Night guide explains the next major celebration associated with Scotland's national poet.
Official cultural and visitor sources checked on 28 September 2026. This is an evergreen explanation of traditions, not a confirmed programme of upcoming events.
