General Knowledge

Hogmanay 2022: Date, History, Facts and Traditions

Hogmanay is the Scottish and Northern English New Year's Eve festival, traditionally involving gatherings of friends and family, singing and feasting.

Every December 31st, Scotland comes alive with a celebration unlike any other – Hogmanay. Known as the Scots New Year, Hogmanay is a multi-day holiday full of traditions, rituals and feasts that bring the Scottish people together in a unique way to celebrate the year ahead. From street festivals to bonfires and fireworks, here’s everything you need to know about Hogmanay on December 31st and why it’s such an important event for Scotland.

What is Hogmanay?

Hogmanay is the Scottish and Northern English New Year’s Eve festival, traditionally involving gatherings of friends and family, singing and feasting.

The roots of Hogmanay can be traced back to Viking times, when people would celebrate the winter solstice with a feast. This tradition was adopted by the Scots, who celebrated Hogmanay on December 31st. The word “Hogmanay” is thought to come from the Old Norse phrase “hogg njógr”, meaning “new year’s eve”.

In modern times, Hogmanay is still a time for celebration, with many people holding parties and attending special events. Fireworks are also a popular feature of Hogmanay celebrations.

The History of Hogmanay

Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year’s Eve celebration. It is thought to have originated in the Viking era, and its name may come from the Old Norse word hoggormr, meaning “midwinter sacrifice.”

In Scotland, Hogmanay is traditionally a time for families and friends to gather together and celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the next. The celebration often includes food, drink, music, and dancing.

One of the most popular traditions associated with Hogmanay is “first-footing.” This involves going to your neighbors’ homes on New Year’s Eve and being the first person to cross their threshold in the new year. This tradition is thought to bring good luck to the household for the coming year.

Another popular tradition is singing “Auld Lang Syne.” This song, written by Scottish poet Robert Burns, is traditionally sung at midnight on New Year’s Eve as a way of saying goodbye to the old year and hello to the new one.

Hogmanay is a beloved Scottish tradition that has been celebrated for centuries. Whether you’re looking to start your own Hogmanay tradition or just learn more about this fascinating holiday, we hope you enjoy learning about it!

Hogmanay Traditions

There are many traditions that surround Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year’s Eve celebration. One of the most well-known is the first-footing tradition, in which the first person to cross the threshold of a home after midnight on New Year’s Eve is said to bring good luck to the occupants for the coming year.

Another popular tradition is that of singing “Auld Lang Syne” at midnight. This beloved song, written by Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns, is about memories of days gone by and celebrating new beginnings.

Hogmanay is also a time for giving gifts, and one traditional gift is shortbread. This delicious buttery biscuit is often given to friends and family as a way to say “Happy New Year!”

So if you find yourself in Scotland on December 31st, be sure to join in the fun and festivities of Hogmanay!

How to Celebrate Hogmanay

Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year’s Eve festival, and it’s a big deal. If you’re in Scotland on December 31, you need to know how to celebrate Hogmanay!

Here are some tips:

1. Get yourself a Hogmanay kit. This will typically include things like shortbread, whisky, and black bun (a rich fruit cake).

2. Make sure you have some tunes for the party – check out our playlist of essential Hogmanay songs.

3. Decorate your home with festive greenery – think holly, ivy, and mistletoe.

4. Have a dram or two of whisky – this is a traditional part of the celebrations!

5. Join in with the singing of Auld Lang Syne at midnight – this is probably the most well-known part of Hogmanay. Everyone links arms and sings together as they welcome in the new year.

Conclusion

Hogmanay is a unique and special way to celebrate the end of the year. It’s an amazing tradition that has been around for centuries and it’s something you should definitely experience at least once in your lifetime! From street celebrations to private parties, there’s always something exciting to do on New Year’s Eve in Scotland. So why not enjoy this enchanting celebration with friends and family? Get ready for midnight bells ringing, fireworks exploding into the sky, and plenty of fun as you welcome in another year with Hogmanay!

HOGMANAY DATES

Year Date Day
2022 December 31 Saturday
2023 December 31 Sunday
2024 December 31 Tuesday
2025 December 31 Wednesday
2026 December 31 Thursday

 

YEAR

 

DATE EVENT
2022 December 31 New Year’s Eve
2022 December 31 Hogmanay
2022 December 31 Make Up Your Mind Day
2022 December 31 National Champagne Day
2022 December 31 National Heroes Day (Timor-Leste)
2022 December 31 No Interruptions Day
2022 December 31 Restoration Day In Geneva
2022 December 31 Unlucky Day
2022 December 31 World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day
2022 December 31 World Peace Meditation Day

 

Sanya Oberoi

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