Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the old year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner. It is normally followed by further celebration on the morning of New Year's Day and, in some cases, 2 January—a Scottish bank holiday. In a few contexts, the word Hogmanay is used more loosely to describe the entire period consisting of the last few days of the old year and the first few days of the new year. For instance, not all events held under the banner of Edinburgh's Hogmanay take place on 31 December.
Fireworks for Edinburgh's Hogmanay
Fireworks in Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh, as part of the 2011 Hogmanay celebrations
Stonehaven Fireballs Ceremony 2003
Catalan Sun Goddess from the Hogmanay Street Party, Edinburgh 2005
In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Day is the first day of the calendar year, 1 January. Most solar calendars begin the year regularly at or near the northern winter solstice, while cultures and religions that observe a lunisolar or lunar calendar celebrate their Lunar New Year at less fixed points relative to the solar year.
Fireworks in Mexico City for New Year 2013
Fireworks in London at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day 2014
Fireworks in Rome at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day 2012
In Christendom, 1 January traditionally marks the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ