The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ. Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit. Shall lure it back to cancal half a line, Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
No, I bet it isn't even really midnight when they roll out the (stereotype) Scots Guards band. The doors open for the Hootenanny at 7.30. I imagine the whole thing will be over before eleven.
^ It's true that New Year is arbitrary. That said, many people (not me, any more) set a lot of store by it. I suppose people's enthusiasm gives the occasion some significance. Other dates seem less arbitrary -- such as the solstices and the equinoxes.