HOGMAN-EH! - the flagship event of the Scottish Society of Ottawa
Hogman-eh! is the Scottish Society of Ottawa’s central event, now going into its 12th of New Year’s Eve celebrations in the nation’s capital – Scottish style.
The word "Hogmanay'' is the Scots word for the last day of the year, and the brilliant celebrations that take place around New Year's Eve. Its origins reach back to the celebration of the winter solstice among the Vikings with wild parties in late December. No other nation in the world celebrates the New Year with quite as much revelry and passion as Scotland does, and it's hardly surprising that the enormous Hogmanay celebration that engulfs the country is legendary the world over.
Hogman-eh! - our Canadian-ized twist - is the largest New Year’s Eve celebration in Eastern Ontario and the largest Hogmanay celebration outside of Scotland! It is the flagship event of the Scottish Society of Ottawa's OttScot Festival - a two-month long celebration of Scottish culture that encompasses St. Andrew’s Day Celebrations, Hogman-eh!, Robbie Burns Celebrations and the Great Canadian Kilt Skate. Come celebrate with us!
HOGMAN-EH! ‘23
Another fantastic celebration is upon us with the 12th annual Scottish style New Year’s Eve celebration! We’re excited to bring you in-person celebrations at Lansdowne Park. Head over to our Hogman-Eh! 2023 page for all the details and ticket information.
HOGMAN-EH! ‘22
We are excited to bring you our 11th annual Scottish style New Year’s Eve celebration, this year in a hybrid format with in-person celebrations at Lansdowne Park, located in the Glebe area of the city of Ottawa, as well as scheduled live streaming on Saturday, December 31, 2022. Head over to our Hogman-eh! ‘22 page for all the details and tickets.
HOGMAN-EH! ‘21 - RECONNECT & REJOICE
After careful consideration of the current situation with regards to COVID-19, we have decided that cancelling the in-person portion of Hogman-eh ’21 Reconnect & Rejoice is the safest and most responsible route for all. As you can tell by our event theme for this year, we were very much looking forward to hosting everyone again at our 10th annual Hogmanay celebration, but we know that following public health protocols and guidelines is the right thing to do in order to play our part in keeping our community safe.
While the in-person event is cancelled, we are excited to continue with our newest tradition of offering an awesome virtual celebration that we hope will make you feel connected to your Scottish heritage and to Scotland, and that our virtual celebration brings a wee bit of joy to your Hogmanay.
HOGMAN-EH! ‘21 Virtual Celebration
Friday, December 31 , 2021 5:50 pm start time
Enjoy a FREE “Covid-19 safe” “Hogman-eh! ‘21 Reconnect & Rejoice Virtual Celebration with our music and dance video production featuring some of the best in Canadian and Scottish Celtic entertainers and dancers including:
Canadian entertainers include Alan Frew and Sam Reid of Glass Tiger, Searson, Kelli Trottier, Anna Ludlow, Morgan Toney, Bobby Watt and the Glengarry Pipe Band.
Our Scottish entertainment line up includes poets Len Pennie, known as Miss Punny Pennie, Kathleen Jamie, Scotland’s Makar, The Proclaimers, Michael Yellowlees of Michael and Luna - A Rewilding Journey (but we’re claiming him as a Canadian 😉), Elephant Sessions, and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Dancers! Cap off the online celebration with a spectacular fireworks show from the biggest Hogmanay celebration in the world - none other than Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2019. It’s guaranteed to have you jigging in your living room!
Four ways to watch! All times listed are Eastern Standard Time (Ottawa).
1) On Rogers TV Ottawa Cable 22 at 3:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.
2) On our Facebook page at 5:50 pm. Includes pre- and post-show entertainment.
3) On our YouTube channel at 5:50 pm. Includes pre- and post-show entertainment
4) On this page at 5:50 pm. Includes pre- and post-show entertainment. Hit the refresh button if you arrive early. The show will appear on this page.
The virtual celebration is FREE. Should you be inclined to make a donation to the Scottish Society of Ottawa to help support this and other events, please visit our donation page.
HOGMAN-EH! CELEBRATION BAGS
For those who choose to celebrate at home, Hogman-eh! Celebration Bags are back again this year!
Hogman-eh! Celebration Bags will be ready for pick up on December 28 at one of three locations across the city - near the Montfort Hospital, near Hazeldean Mall, Kanata, and near St. Matthew High School, Orleans. A specific address will be provided via email to Hogman-eh! Celebration Bag purchasers.
The Glen Scottish Restaurant and Pub $20 gift certificate
SSO branded window cling
Cats in Kilts dish towel
Whisky fudge from Penny’s Fudge Factory
Glengarry Maple Syrup
Rocky Mountain Chocolate lumps of coal
Rustic Highland Creation candle
IRN BRU
Mackie's Crisps
Nairn’s cookies/crackers
Maggie’s Shortbread
Two Stories and Letters for Christmas book by Stephen Leacock
A Sprig of Juniper
Plus, more goodies to help you ring in the New Year
Value of over $80.
This celebration bag brings a bit of the most popular traditions associated with Hogmanay to your evening.
First footing: First-Footing is the first person to step into your home. For best results the visitor should be a dark-haired male and usually brings whisky or coal hence the coal chocolate and whisky fudge!
Saining or cleaning: Saining is the practice of blessing or cleansing your house. This includes a good scrub of the house, burning a candle and either sweeping or burning juniper branches. We've got you covered with a candle, a sprig of juniper and a tea towel!
Fire Ceremonies: Fire plays a huge part in traditional Hogmanay customs. There are many fire festivals across Scotland, walking the streets with torches, swinging fire balls, or in our case something a little safer for your home - lighting sparklers!
We’ve also included items to connect you with your Canadian and Scottish roots with yummy Scottish snacks and some local maple syrup. To top it off, you can help yourself to a Scottish meal at The Glen Scottish Restaurant and Pub!
Happy Hogman-eh! and Slainte Mhath!
HOGMAN-EH!™ ‘20 FIERY & BOLD
HOGMAN-EH!™ 2020 FIERY & BOLD VIRTUAL PARTY
Our “Covid-19 safe” Hogman-eh! Fiery & Bold Virtual Party, hosted by CTV’s Graham Richardson, featured Scottish Celtic performances including The American Rogues, the McGill Quartet, The Broken Bridges from Ontario; Còig, Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy & Family providing Cape Breton style; Scotland’s own Beth Malcolm, and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers; and straight from Glengarry County the Campbell Trio and Friends will lead the singing of Auld Lang Syne. Guests will also enjoy the RCMP Pipes and Drums, dancing by Change of Step, the Ottawa Highland Dance Association, and the RCMP Dancers, some stunning 3D animation by Historic Environment Scotland and digital art by Cryptic: Primordial Waters. An added bonus was Happy Hogman-eh! messages from Canadian and Scottish dignitaries and special guests, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary of Economy, Fair Work and Culture, Scottish Government.