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New Year's Day (January 1)
The night before New Year's Day, many British citizens watch as the clock tower's minute hand finally reaches midnight. (The tower is popularly but incorrectly known as "Big Ben," which is actually the name of the large bellwithin it.) At this time, Big Ben (the bell) rings in the new year.
Many people celebrate either by having parties at home or by going out to pubs and partying with friends. Some people also make new year's resolutions, as is customary in the United States and many other countries around the world. In Scotland, it is a common tradition to sing "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight to bring in the new year.
Many people celebrate either by having parties at home or by going out to pubs and partying with friends. Some people also make new year's resolutions, as is customary in the United States and many other countries around the world. In Scotland, it is a common tradition to sing "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight to bring in the new year.
Big Ben
One of the most widely known symbols of New Year's Eve is the image of the Clock Tower at the Palace of Westminster, in London, counting down the last minutes of the old year. The first chimes of Big Ben, the bell housed in the Clock Tower, in the new year are broadcast live on radio and television.
This is followed by a spectacular fireworks performance, often centered on the London Eye, which is claimed to be the largest Ferris wheel in Europe.
Hogmanay (December 31–January 2)
In Scotland, the New Year's celebration is referred to as "Hogmanay," and it can last through January 2, which is considered a bank holiday. In some parts of England and in Scotland, it is considered good luck if the first person to enter one's home on New Year's Day is a man, while it is considered bad luck if a woman is the first to enter. In a tradition known as "first footing," a male friend enters a friend's home and usually gives a small ceremonial gift.
Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations guarantee a warm welcome and more new friends than you ever knew you had, all in a frenzy of goodwill! At midnight, sing along with Auld Lang Syne. For an unforgettable Hogmanay break, it's got to be Scotland.
Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations guarantee a warm welcome and more new friends than you ever knew you had, all in a frenzy of goodwill! At midnight, sing along with Auld Lang Syne. For an unforgettable Hogmanay break, it's got to be Scotland.
Aberdeen
For something a little different, enjoy a traditional Hogmanay ceilidh at the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen, with music from the Hipflask Ceilidh Band. Aberdeen Hogmanay won't disappoint!
For something a little different, enjoy a traditional Hogmanay ceilidh at the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen, with music from the Hipflask Ceilidh Band. Aberdeen Hogmanay won't disappoint!
Hogmanay in Edinburgh
When it comes to Hogmanay, Edinburgh certainly knows how to put on a show whether it's the famous Edinburgh Hogmanay street party and spectacular firework display or a toe-tapping ceilidh and concert in Princes Street Gardens. This year Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrates the start of a new year! Join in with a whole host of events, parades, parties and more to welcome in the new year. Book your tickets for the events that take your fancy, from the Party at the Bells to performances from Dougie Maclean, Eddi Reader and Breabach, to name a few - you'll be in for a festive few days to celebrate Edinburgh's New Year in style!
When the clock strikes midnight, gather your friends and family to raise a toast to a brighter year!
When it comes to Hogmanay, Edinburgh certainly knows how to put on a show whether it's the famous Edinburgh Hogmanay street party and spectacular firework display or a toe-tapping ceilidh and concert in Princes Street Gardens. This year Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrates the start of a new year! Join in with a whole host of events, parades, parties and more to welcome in the new year. Book your tickets for the events that take your fancy, from the Party at the Bells to performances from Dougie Maclean, Eddi Reader and Breabach, to name a few - you'll be in for a festive few days to celebrate Edinburgh's New Year in style!
When the clock strikes midnight, gather your friends and family to raise a toast to a brighter year!
Stonehaven Fireballs
In Stonehaven they really turn up the heat at New Year! One of many winter fire festivals unique to Scotland, this fireballs parade in Aberdeenshire is a powerful spectacle to behold. It's a free Hogmanay event which has been
celebrated for over 100 years and it always attracts a large crowd. Traditionally, it was a cleansing ritual to burn off any bad spirits left from the old year so that the New Year can begin clean and purified. Watch in awe asthe piper leads the procession marching down the street just before midnight as they swing balls of fire above their head in the ultimate test of bravery for the ultimate Stonehaven Hogmanay.
In Stonehaven they really turn up the heat at New Year! One of many winter fire festivals unique to Scotland, this fireballs parade in Aberdeenshire is a powerful spectacle to behold. It's a free Hogmanay event which has been
celebrated for over 100 years and it always attracts a large crowd. Traditionally, it was a cleansing ritual to burn off any bad spirits left from the old year so that the New Year can begin clean and purified. Watch in awe asthe piper leads the procession marching down the street just before midnight as they swing balls of fire above their head in the ultimate test of bravery for the ultimate Stonehaven Hogmanay.
Twelfth Night and Epiphany (January 5–6)
In the UK, some consider it bad luck to leave Christmas decorations up past the day of Epiphany, so many people choose to take them down on January 5, which is also known as "Twelfth Night." Some people host parties and serve Twelfth Night cakes, which have had one dried pea and one dried bean baked into them. If you are one of the lucky party-goers who receives one of them in your slice of cake, you are crowned "king" or "queen" of the evening.
Epiphany, which occurs the day after Twelfth Night, is a Christian holiday that celebrates the coming of the Magi after the birth of Christ. Some people attend a church service on this day to commemorate the occasion.
Epiphany, which occurs the day after Twelfth Night, is a Christian holiday that celebrates the coming of the Magi after the birth of Christ. Some people attend a church service on this day to commemorate the occasion.
The English church officially celebrates Twelfth Night on 5 January, the night before Epiphany which is the day when, in the nativity story, the wise men visited the infant Jesus. Others, traditionally, count the twelve days as beginning after Christmas Day and so celebrate it on the day and night of 6 January.
Either way, Twelfth Night was the best party of the year and marked the end of Christmas – it was seen out with games, feasting and merry-making that almost exceeded Christmas Day itself. All the elements we’ve talked about in these posts – from masques to meals, from drinking to games – were dialled up for Twelfth Night, making it a night to remember (or forget!).
Either way, Twelfth Night was the best party of the year and marked the end of Christmas – it was seen out with games, feasting and merry-making that almost exceeded Christmas Day itself. All the elements we’ve talked about in these posts – from masques to meals, from drinking to games – were dialled up for Twelfth Night, making it a night to remember (or forget!).