Glasgow getting ready to say goodbye to 2013 and welcome 2014 in style at Hogmanayday!

This free, day-long celebration for family and friends is part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals. From 12 noon until 10pm revellers can get into the party spirit, as music and dance from around the Commonwealth combine with ceilidh dancing round George Square to some spectacular live Scottish music.

African, Indian and Scottish performers gave festive shoppers and skaters in George Square a sneak preview of what they can look forward to at Hogmanayday recently.

Leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor Gordon Matheson, said: “Scotland is renowned the world over for celebrating Hogmanay in style. As the country’s biggest city, about to enter our biggest year on the world stage, we are preparing for Hogmanayday – a special way to see out 2013.

“2014 promises to be all about the Commonwealth so we are seeing out an old year and eagerly anticipating the coming of a new one by adding a twist to our traditional Scottish celebrations. African drumming, Indian dancing, Caribbean music and Scottish ceilidh will combine to make for a wonderful party atmosphere.

“The festivities in George Square provide families and friends with a free, fun event where we can come together and look back on the year’s highlights and look forward to all that 2014 promises. Hogmanayday will be a great way to celebrate during the day while the city’s bars, restaurants, clubs and entertainment venues will take late night revellers through into 2014. Come and join us.”

Headlining Hogmanayday is Scotland’s leading rock ceilidh band Bahookie, who are certain to get the crowd into the spirit for the bells with their cutting edge contemporary Scottish tunes.

Kickstarting the celebrations are Hattrick, a vocal and instrumental ensemble who will get the party started with music from across the Commonwealth, including Caribbean and Swahili songs mixed with traditional Gaelic harmonies.

Later Ayawara, a West African drum band will keep the beating going, they will be followed by Samba Ya Bamba and dancers the Samba Rebelles.

And the John Carmichael ceilidh band will stoke up all the tradition and patriotism that Glaswegians – and visitors to the city – associate with Hogmanay. The Pan African Arts Scotland ensemble Glasgow Highlife will join the line up and more dancing will be take party-goers on a tour of India as Bollywood dance troupe The Desi Bravehearts delights the audience, before Bahookie take to the stage to keep them on their feet.

Hogmanayday is about more than music. Partygoers can feast on traditional Scottish produce and sup a tipple or two, while the little ones enjoy a multitude of family-friendly activities. Glasgow on Ice will also be open all day making George Square the coolest place in Scotland to celebrate Hogmanay.

The event and will end at 10pm. No ticket is required for entry to George Square; however there may be times where the venue is full, at such times a queuing system will be put into operation. It is part of the Glasgow Loves Christmas campaign, which brings together the city’s seasonal entertainment and events programme, as well as its unrivalled retail and dining offering under one banner. It runs until Sunday, January 5, with full details available at www.glasgowloveschristmas.com.