Hogman-eh 2023! A New Year’s Eve, Scottish Style
You can find the word “Hogmanay” translated several ways, but essentially it means the last day of the year. The Scottish Society of Ottawa has brought this word to life in Canada with our very own Hogman-eh! It is one of the biggest New Year’s Eve parties in Ottawa and the largest Scottish-style New Year's Eve celebration outside Scotland!
Last year’s event had an estimated 4,000 in attendance and over 2000 viewers online. It’s always a big party at the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park! Photos from the 2022 event are featured here: Hogman-eh 2022.
Hogman-eh! always has something for people of all ages. It starts out family-friendly with the Great Scot party for kids and families. There is a Hall of Origins for family history buffs, and lively Celtic Ceilidh-style entertainment, including pipes and drums, fiddlers, and highland dancing (including with a few wee ones!) It all culminates in a balloon drop to ring in the New Year at 7 p.m., which is midnight Scotland time.
The exciting day then transitions to a more adult-oriented New Year’s celebration. There is Scottish food and yes, great alternatives if you don’t like Haggis. But try it, you might like it! Those who love it will look forward to the Scotch whisky bar, and there’s a VIP section if you want to pay a little more to get a little more.
Outstanding and highly entertaining Celtic-style bands fill the night with delightful music, and at the 2023 celebration, they will include the Mudmen, Anna Ludlow, MacIssac-Mackenzie, and Glengarry’s favorite: The Brigadoons. We are also thrilled to be introducing Ally the Piper this year. She is an amazing piper who is setting concert stages and social media on fire.
The party always continues into the wee hours. We’ll be ringing in the new year with another balloon drop and of course, singing the iconic New Year’s Eve song Auld Lang Syne together. Did you know it was written by the famous Scottish Bard Robbie Burns? It’s truly a magical experience.
Our dedicated team of volunteers is already working on what will be the 12th annual Hogman-Eh! celebration. Please join us as a guest or as a volunteer to double your fun and make new friends. You don’t have to have a Scottish heritage to come and have a great time.
Tickets for our Hogman-eh 2023 event go on sale on November 14. Don't miss out!
Read more about the full line-up here
Volunteers
We are now looking for enthusiastic volunteers for our annual Hogman-eh! Party. Volunteer positions include Setup Crew, Gate Attendant, Safety Team, Kids Zone, VIP Experience, and Tear Down Crew. All volunteers get free access to the event and most shifts are only 2 hours. Click on the button below to learn more and sign up!
Ally the Piper
My name is Ally Crowley-Duncan, and I am a multi-instrumentalist, best known for my work on the Great Highland Bagpipe. I like combining bagpipes with modern music, but I also play a wide variety of traditional music on the instrument as well.
RCMP Pipes, Drums and Dancers
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Pipes, Drums, and Dancers of the “National Division”. Wearing the very distinctive RCMP tartan and the world-renowned red serge of the RCMP, the band is comprised primarily of citizen volunteers but also includes police officers and employees of the force.
Volunteer
Volunteer positions include Setup Crew, Gate Attendant, Safety Team, Kids Zone, VIP Experience, and Tear Down Crew.
Slàinte Mhath!
Donald Macdonald
SSO Director of Hogman-eh!