Celebrating Hogmanay in Scotland

As we finish the mince pies and think about New Year’s resolutions, Scotland is gearing up for its most important celebration of the year: Hogmanay.

Whilst New Year’s Eve in the UK is just one day, Hogmanay celebrations can last for multiple days. Its deep-rooted traditions make it an event that attracts visitors from around the world to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and beyond.

Hogmanay is the Scottish word for the last day of the old year: New Year’s Eve. Its origin as a word is unsure, but it’s believed to have been used since Mary, Queen of Scots, came back to Scotland from a visit to France in 1561.

Christmas was banned in Scotland for a time during the 1600s and remained uncelebrated for around 400 years until the 1950s. As a result, people gathered to celebrate the winter solstice and exchange gifts during the new year instead. 

Hogmanay is a true celebration of Scottish culture and history, and there are a number of traditions that people follow to mark the occasion.

One of the most common Hogmanay traditions, ‘first-footing’, refers to the first person to enter a house after midnight on New Year’s Day.

Traditionally, this should be a tall, dark-haired man, as fair hair was associated with the Viking invaders of the past. They should bring gifts like coal, whiskey, and shortbread to symbolise good luck for the year to come.

It was considered bad luck to start the new year with a dirty house in 19th-century Scotland. Therefore, to ensure it would be filled with success and happiness, people would get their homes in order before midnight on 31st December.

They would clean the house, sweep out old ashes from the fireplace, build a new fire, and make sure any outstanding debts were paid. People still do some, or all, of these as part of their Hogmanay celebrations.

Within Hogmanay traditions, fire represents the light of the sun, supposed to ward off evil spirits, making it a very important part of the celebrations. Those who have a real fireplace will light a fire at home.

Bonfires, fire-based events, and fireworks all play a big part in Hogmanay, lighting up the dark and bringing people together.

Hogmanay, and its tradition of bringing friends and family together, became particularly important after the Christmas ban.

As Scotland’s main winter celebration, its roots can be traced back to ancient Pagan rituals and festivals like Samhain, from which a midwinter yule festival emerged.

Today, there are street parties in towns and cities across the country. Hotels and bars also put on parties and events like ceilidhs, where people can meet, enjoy fireworks, food and drink, and dance the night away.

As soon as midnight strikes in Scotland, people join hands and Robert Burns’ poem is sung to the tune of a traditional Scottish folk song. “Auld lang syne” roughly translates to “for old times’ sake”, conjuring up a sense of nostalgia, belonging, and fellowship.

It’s the perfect way to acknowledge the past year and welcome in the new one.

Major cities Edinburgh and Glasgow have their own distinct Hogmanay celebrations, but there are plenty of traditions unique to other parts of Scotland, too.

Held every year on New Year’s Day since 1986 in South Queensferry, brave souls take a dip in the almost-freezing Firth of Forth. Though its origins were as a New Year's hangover cure, people from around the world now come to this town just North of Edinburgh to start their year.

As if this wasn’t extraordinary enough, many also take the plunge in fun, fancy dress costumes.

As midnight rings out to welcome in the New Year, the town of Stonehaven burns bright. Around 40 people make their way down the High Street, swinging fireballs made from rags and doused in paraffin above their heads.

This 20-minute ceremony is over 150 years old and, unsurprisingly, attracts large crowds who start to gather from 10 pm to get the best view.

This celebration takes the form of a mass football game played on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in Kirkwall on Orkney. Players are split into “Uppies” or “Doonies”, and their goal is to carry a leather ball (the Ba’) to their goal at either end of the town.

Play kicks off when the cathedral bells signal 1 pm and ends once a team has managed to get the hand-crafted Ba’ to the goal. Games can last for hours; the longest was seven hours long.

Burghead in Scotland celebrates the New Year twice. This happens on 1st January in line with the Gregorian calendar and then again on 11th January in line with the old Julian calendar.

The celebration on 11th involves carrying a burning Clavie (a wood and tar-filled barrel) around the town up to the Doorie Hill, where it’s then left to burn out.

People follow the Clavie on its journey and gather its ashes, as having a piece is believed to bring good luck for the coming year.

The official date of Hogmanay 2025 is 31st December. However, celebrations often start in the last few days of December and continue beyond 1st January. This is especially the case in major cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh, where organised events span several days.

Event timings on the night vary, but you can expect:

And, of course, fireworks as soon as the clock strikes midnight.

Scotland’s capital hosts what is regarded as one of the best outdoor New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has been running official events in the city since 1993. For Hogmanay 2025, their events start on 29th December.

The Torchlight Procession is the event that launches the Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations. Over 15,000 torchbearers weave their way through the city from The Meadows to Edinburgh Castle, led by a squad of pipers, drummers, and Vikings.

There’s also entertainment before the procession sets off to raise spirits and get everyone in the Hogmanay mood.

Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party sees thousands of people come together to ring in the New Year. There’s live music and entertainment, food and drink, a funfair and, at midnight, an incredibly designed fireworks display.

There’s also a silent disco area with three channels, allowing people to choose the music they want to dance to.

Every year for Hogmanay, Princes Street Gardens hosts a popular music act for people to enjoy at the Concert in the Gardens. After the concert, those in the Gardens will be in a great spot to watch the fireworks at midnight.

2025’s headliner is Wet Leg, and there’s an all-Scottish supporting lineup featuring Hamish Hawk, Lucia & The Best Boys. Scotland’s Susie McCabe is on hosting duties to keep the vibes going until midnight.

Hogmanay in Scotland isn’t just for the grown-ups. Sprogmanay is a fun afternoon for both the young and young at heart. There’s also a programme of music, crafts, and arts, along with a family ceilidh a short walk away from the Sprogmanay site at Assembly Roxy.

Hogmanay in Edinburgh is a big celebration, so to make sure everyone enjoys themselves, you should:

If large crowds aren’t something you enjoy, don’t worry. There are plenty of less-crowded vantage points away from the big events. You can still take in the fireworks at Catton Hill, Arthur’s Seat, and Inverleith Park while enjoying a more relaxed atmosphere.

Avanti serves both Edinburgh Waverley and Edinburgh Haymarket stations. Waverley is on the doorstep of the beautiful old town, full of iconic spots like the Royal Mile.

Haymarket is slightly to the west of the city centre, with several bars and restaurants to explore.

If the idea of attending one main organised event doesn’t take your fancy, Glasgow could be your perfect destination for Hogmanay. As well as a smaller public street party, bars, clubs, and venues host their own events, so you can choose whichever sounds more appealing to you.

From swanky parties in hotels to family events and ceilidhs, there is something for everyone in Glasgow.

Ashton Lane is the proud host of the only Hogmanay Glasgow street party. Thousands of people come to Ashton Lane Hogmanay each year to enjoy live entertainment, street performances, and party atmosphere.

There are outdoor bars, food stalls, and BBQs, and revellers can also access the bars on the street that are there year-round.

There’s a full countdown and traditional pipers to officially welcome in the New Year at midnight. Tickets sell out every year, so if this is one you’re thinking of going to, be sure to secure your tickets as soon as you can.

For families looking to make New Year’s memories together, Dockyard Social's Hogmanay offers fun and games for all ages. Street food traders, stilt walkers and fire acts all bring the carnival atmosphere.

There are two time slots available to choose from, so early risers can still get to bed at a reasonable time.

The Hilton is just one of the many hotels in the city putting on a fabulous event to celebrate Hogmanay.

The Hilton Glasgow Hogmanay party features a three-course dinner, a DJ and a host to keep guests entertained for the whole evening. There’s also live entertainment, including a set from the well-known contemporary pipe band, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Guests can choose from an event-only ticket or a combined event and room ticket to really make a night of it.

For those who want to dance the night away, there’s nothing more energetic than taking part in a ceilidh on the dancefloor.

On this former passenger ferry, the Coila Ceilidh Band and their caller will teach and lead dances, so everyone can have a go throughout the night. When the band isn’t playing, a DJ will be on hand to play popular hits.

Guests at the Hogmanay Ceilidh at The Ferry can either come just for the ceilidh or combine it with a delicious three-course meal before the fun begins.

Even though events in Glasgow happen on a smaller scale compared to Edinburgh, you’ll want to make sure you are ready for the evening’s festivities. Ahead of the evening:

There might not be any official fireworks display in Glasgow, but that doesn’t mean bars, events, and residents won’t have displays of their own. Spots like Ruchill Park, Cathkin Braes, and even the Necropolis are great viewpoints, so if there are fireworks about, chances are you’ll see them.

Avanti trains take you to Glasgow Central train station. Its prime city centre location means it’s a short walk to hotels, bars, restaurants, and shops.

If you’re looking to venture outside of the main two cities, there are plenty of celebrations to choose from across the whole of Scotland. Other cities’ celebrations include:

Hogmanay is one of the biggest events in the Scottish calendar, with lots of people moving around between public spaces and events.

During this busy period, there are a few things you can do to make sure you and your group stay safe amid the celebrations:

Travelling to Hogmanay by train with Avanti

Hogmanay offers an experience that is truly unique and steeped in Scottish tradition. Whether you’re looking to build your own night in Glasgow or attend the organised events in Edinburgh, Avanti can get you there.

Planning your journey in advance offers many benefits. You can take advantage of the best prices with Advance ticket fares and Railcards, and put the money saved towards enjoying the celebrations. If you’re flexible with your travel time, our best fare finder could help you save even more.

Travelling to Hogmanay celebrations in Scotland by train will take you right into the heart of your destination. Train travel is easy. It’s also a greener option than travelling by car, and you don’t have to worry about parking once you arrive.

Find your perfect Scottish celebration and prepare for Hogmanay to remember.