Celebrating Hogmanay In Scotland: Things To Do With Kids
Discover ways to celebrate Hogmanay in Scotland with kids!
As the New Year festivities start around the world, Scotland is celebrating Hogmanay, the final day of the year. This multi-day Scottish tradition dates back over a thousand years and is a unique way to bring in the New Year.
If you are in Scotland at New Year, celebrating this vibrant and festive occasion is a must. Our family has lived in Scotland for over a decade, and we have brought in the New Year in various locations with our kids, but there is nothing quite like New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh.
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Celebrating Hogmanay | Things To Do With Kids
Hogmanay is Scotland’s biggest celebration of the year, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world. Here are some family-friendly things to do with kids to celebrate Hogmanay.
1. Torchlight Processions
The Torchlight Procession, a traditional fire festival, starts the Hogmanay celebrations and is always a real highlight with the kids. If in Edinburgh, families can join the procession through the Old Town, but you’ll often find Torchlight Processions in smaller towns and cities, too, including Stonehaven and Inverness. Torchlit Processions usually include fire performers and pipe bands and can be a spectacular and memorable sight.
2. Family-Friendly Ceilidhs
Ceilidhs are traditional Scottish dances. Many venues across Scotland offer family-friendly sessions to celebrate Hogmanay, where children can learn the basics and join the fun. Live music and easy-to-learn dances are great ways for kids to experience and enjoy Scottish culture.
3. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party
Edinburgh hosts the world-famous Hogmanay Street Party, where around 40,000 people celebrate Hogmanay and New Year in the streets of Edinburgh, ending with the fireworks finale from the castle. You’ll also find many Silent discos for an alternative, inclusive way to celebrate. This event is suitable for teens and above.
4. Concert In The Gardens
In addition, to the street party, Edinburgh hosts a Hogmanay concert In Princes Street Garden. The 10,000-ticket event features live music and is a prime viewing of the city’s midnight fireworks display from under the castle. This event is suitable for teens and above.
5. New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Spectacular fireworks displays bring in New Year across Scotland. As the countdown to the bells begins, all eyes are on the iconic Edinburgh Castle, where a fantastic display brings in the New Year. There are numerous vantage points across Edinburgh, such as Carlton Hill or Arthur’s Seat, from where you can witness the city’s Hogmanay fireworks.
6. Sing Auld Lang Syne
Learn the lines to Scots poet Robert Burns ‘Auld Lang Syne‘. As the bells chime for the new year, many Scots will hold hands in a circle and sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ while wishing each other a ‘Happy New Year’.
7. First Footing and Traditions
First Footing is a Scottish tradition where the first person to enter the house after midnight brings good luck. Small traditional gifts of shortbread or coal are given to neighbours and friends. Many establishments hold ‘first footing’ events on New Year’s Day for the celebrations to carry on.
7. Visit a Local Landmark or Castle
Many Scottish castles and landmarks have special events during Hogmanay, including festive guided tours, workshops, and special exhibitions for children.
Edinburgh Castle hosts the Castle of Lights, where coloured lights are projected and tall tales are told at night. The National Museum of Scotland opens its doors to families for Sprogmanay on New Year’s Day, with Hogmanay celebrations especially for children.
8. Hogmanay Walk In Scotland
Start the New Year with a family hike in the Scottish Highlands or a coastal beach walk to blow away the cobwebs. Afterwards, why not enjoy a warming cup of traditional hot chocolate? A hike is a fantastic Scottish way to spend the New Year and has become one of our family traditions.
9. Loony Dook
You can participate or watch people take their New Year’s Day dip in near-freezing waters across Scotland. The annual ‘Loony Dook’ began on 1 January 1987 when a group of friends went swimming as a hangover cure in North Queensferry, Edinburgh. In case you’re wondering, ‘Dook’ is a Scots word meaning to dip or plunge.
Traditional Scottish Cuisine for Hogmanay
Traditional meals during Hogmanay are about hearty and comforting Scottish food. A typical Hogmanay meal might feature haggis, neeps and tatties, or perhaps a steak pie, a bowl of Scotch broth, and a clootie dumpling/black bun, symbolising good luck for the New Year.
To wash it all down, Irn-Bru or a dram of whisky with shortbread may also be part of your Hogmanay feast.
Tips For Celebrating Hogmanay With Kids
Hogmanay is a multiple-day celebration that involves more than simply staying up late. Here are our tips if you plan on bringing in the bells at New Year with kids on Hogmanay:
✨ Plan Your Hogmanay in advance
Hogmanay and New Year celebrations are extremely popular with locals and tourists. Hogmanay events often require tickets to be booked months in advance, and it’s also worth planning your transport to and from the venue.
✨ Accommodation
Book your accommodation well in advance of Hogmanay and aim to be as close as possible to the celebrations; it’s much easier change plans and return to your room if you or your kids get tired. You might even get a room with a view of the festivities.
✨ Wrap up warm
Winters in Scotland can be snowy, with temperatures often below zero during Hogmanay celebrations. Dress in warm layers with hats and groves for comfort. Look out for the Northern Lights in the night sky to make your Hogmanay and New Year celebrations even more memorable.
✨ Prepare for crowds
Hogmanay events attract many visitors, bringing large crowds and noise throughout the celebration. For quieter, less crowded events, look outside cities or enjoy the celebrations from a distance.
✨ Know Your Families Limits
Hogmanay is a late night for kids. Have a plan for when the kids get tired or ensure everyone has an afternoon nap to compensate for the upcoming late night. Plenty of snacks, treats, and hydration will help everyone to continue celebrating!
Hogmanay In Scotland FAQ’s
New Year celebrations roll out worldwide while Scotland celebrates Hogmanay in style. Here are a few commonly asked questions about Celebrating Hogmanay in Scotland.
Hogmanay is what the Scots call New Year’s Eve – the big night that marks the arrival of the new year. The festivities can last for several days and its origins go back to the celebration of the winter solstice.
Hogmanay celebrations generally suit children, but you may wish to avoid large crowds and loud music. Young children may find some celebrations overwhelming and will likely get tired well before midnight; it is worth planning your exit before you go.
In 1560 Christmas was effectively banned in Scotland, a ban that for almost 400 years meant that Scots instead exchanged gifts when they got together for their New Year celebrations on Hogmanay. These traditional Hogmanay celebrations continue to this day all across Scotland.
Hogmanay and New Year are celebrated in households and venues across Scotland. For the ultimate Hogmanay experience, Edinburgh is the place to bring in the bells with its massive street party, live music and an incredible firework finale.
Final Thoughts | New Year In Scotland
Hogmanay is a unique, family-friendly Scottish celebration full of excitement and cultural traditions that date back hundreds of years. While Edinburgh is where you’ll find the biggest party, a huge variety of Hogmanay and New Year celebrations happen all across Scotland. The fireworks, music, singing and dancing can be enjoyed by the whole family while the adults might celebrate with a traditional ‘wee dram’.
It’s probably fair to say that no other country in the world brings in the New Year quite like Scotland!
