Next: 31 Dec to 1 Jan 2027
Hogmanay
Scotland's New Year: first-footing with coal and whisky, torchlight processions, fireballs and Auld Lang Syne.
When is Hogmanay in 2026?
Hogmanay 2026 runs from 31 December 2026 to 1 January 2027. Other years: 2025, 31 December 2025 to 1 January 2026; 2027, 31 December 2027 to 1 January 2028.
About Hogmanay
Hogmanay is the Scottish word for the last day of the year and the celebration of the new, which is, along with Christmas, among the most important holidays in Scotland. At midnight, people link arms and sing "Auld Lang Syne", and then go first-footing, visiting friends and neighbours, bringing a gift of coal, shortbread, black bun or whisky as a wish for warmth and plenty for the household. The first person across the threshold after midnight should be a tall, dark-haired man, and bring luck. Edinburgh holds a street party and a torchlit procession of thousands of people, and the fireball swinging of Stonehaven, where men whirl balls of burning material on poles through the town, is a famous event. Houses are cleaned in advance so that the new year starts fresh.
Hogmanay dates: 2025, 2026, 2027
| Year | Hogmanay date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 31 December 2025 to 1 January 2026 |
| 2026 | 31 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 |
| 2027 | 31 December 2027 to 1 January 2028 |
What is eaten
- black bun
- shortbread
- steak pie
- whisky
Also part of it, and being written: First-foot (The first visitor of the year.), Stonehaven Fireballs (The fire-swinging ceremony.), Black bun (The fruit pie of Hogmanay.).
More marked on Hogmanay
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Hogmanay" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.