Hogmanay

Categories:: Cultural
Tags:: Festivities
Where:: U.K.
Date change rule:: Every December 31
Holiday emoji:: 🎉

Hogmanay ushers in the New Year across Scotland every December 31. This ancient celebration involves house parties, gift-giving, and traditional ‘first-footing’ rituals. Join in the festivities by learning about its unique customs, sharing Scottish cheer, and raising a dram to the year ahead.

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Expected Hogmanay Deals

While official 2027 promotions are still under wraps, Hogmanay celebrations historically see a surge in deals from Scottish pubs, restaurants, and retailers. Expect special menus at places like The Witchery by the Castle in Edinburgh and festive drink promotions from brands like Johnnie Walker and The Famous Grouse. Supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s often feature discounts on celebratory food and drink. Online retailers like Amazon UK and local gift shops will likely offer themed merchandise. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as December 31 approaches.

Platform Guide for Hogmanay

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #Hogmanay. Share videos of traditional Scottish dances, festive food preparations, or your New Year’s Eve countdown.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #Hogmanay. Post vibrant photos of Edinburgh’s street party, family gatherings, or your ‘first-footing’ gifts.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #Hogmanay. Join real-time conversations about the celebrations, share your favorite Scottish traditions, or live-tweet from festivities.

Hogmanay Hero

Robert Burns

Robert Burns (1759–1796) is Scotland's national poet, celebrated worldwide for his lyrical works. His poem 'Auld Lang Syne,' set to a traditional folk melody, became a global anthem for New Year's Eve, sung by millions to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. Burns's profound connection to Scottish culture and his enduring literary legacy make him an iconic figure for Hogmanay.

Hogmanay timeline

700s

You can thank the Vikings

Vikings brought the first Hogmanay celebrations to Scotland.

1788

A New Year's Eve classic

Scottish poet Robert Burns published "Auld Lang Syne," which is often sung to ring in the new year.

1950s

Christmas slowly returned

Up until the 1950s many Scots did not celebrate Christmas — choosing instead to mark the winter solstice with Hogmanay.

1996

Record breaking Celebrations!

The Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations in 1996–97 made it to the the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest New Year party, with approximately 400,000 people in attendance.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Hogmanay

Local Scottish businesses can embrace Hogmanay by hosting themed events, offering traditional food and drink specials, and decorating their premises with festive Scottish flair. Pubs and restaurants can feature live music, ceilidh dancing, and special Hogmanay menus. Retailers can curate gift baskets for ‘first-footing’ or offer discounts on Scottish produce and crafts. Consider partnering with local distilleries or bakeries to offer unique bundles that capture the spirit of the season.

Hogmanay FAQs

When is Hogmanay?

Hogmanay 2026 falls on Thursday, December 31, marking Scotland’s vibrant farewell to the year with traditional celebrations. The festivities often extend into New Year’s Day and January 2, which is a bank holiday in Scotland.

What is 'first-footing'?

‘First-footing’ is a Hogmanay tradition where the first person to cross the threshold of a home after midnight on New Year’s Eve brings good luck for the coming year. Traditionally, a tall, dark-haired man is preferred, carrying symbolic gifts like coal, shortbread, whisky, and a black bun.

How many people celebrate Hogmanay?

Hogmanay is a deeply ingrained cultural celebration across Scotland, observed by virtually its entire population of over 5 million people. Additionally, Scots and those of Scottish descent worldwide embrace the traditions, making it a globally recognized New Year’s Eve celebration.

Is Hogmanay a public holiday?

December 31, Hogmanay, is not a public holiday in Scotland, but New Year’s Day (January 1) and January 2 are both bank holidays. This allows for extended celebrations and recovery after the festivities.

Hogmanay Activities

Throw a party
You don't have to be Scottish to celebrate Hogmanay! You're probably going to celebrate New Year's Eve anyway, so get yourself a kilt and do it Scottish style. You might serve some haggis (the famous Scottish pudding), and put together a soundtrack of music featuring bagpipes.
Watch "Braveheart"
The 1995 movie, featuring Mel Gibson, tells the story of William Wallace, who led the war for Scottish independence. The film picked up 10 Academy Awards and grossed more than $210 million worldwide.
Visit Scotland
There's much to see — from Glasgow to the historic town of Edinburgh (and its castle) — to the highlands, and Loch Ness. With some luck you might spot the Loch Ness monster. In Glasgow you can catch the Old Firm Derby between soccer clubs Rangers and Celtic, one of the oldest and fiercest soccer rivalries in the world.

4 Famous Scottish Poets

Andrew Lang
Big collector of folk and fairy tales, and a contributor to the field of anthropology.
Walter Scott
Not just a poet, but also a novelist and historian. Authored many famous works.
William Dunbar
Scottish poet closely associated with King James IV.
Carol Ann Duffy
Poet and playwright appointed British Poet Laureate in 2009.

Why We Love Hogmanay

Scots know how to party
Remember that scene in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" — the one with the wedding in the Scottish Castle? It may be the rain, it may be the "heather on the hills," or it may be genetic, but the Scots can throw a party. Beer might also be a factor.
Kilts and culture
Scotland has an amazingly rich cultural history. It was once frozen over, but when the ice melted, a gang of hunter-gatherers showed up and inhabited the land. Its culture was shaped through independence from the Roman Empire and through wars with England. This rich history shines through in its art, architecture, music, and other aspect of society. And yes, occasionally the guys wear skirts.
It celebrates friendship
Hogmanay is all about celebrating with friends. House parties reflect the communal nature of the holiday, and gift-giving is a key component. Part of the tradition is to acknowledge the first visitor to one's home in the new year.