What is ‘Burns Night’?
Burns Night is a Scottish tradition where you feast, do poetry readings and have a party, all paying tribute to poet Robert Burns and the Scottish values his work celebrated. The evening is held on the poet’s birthday on January 25th… which isn’t that far away!
Expect whiskey and verse to flow throughout the evening as traditional Scottish food is enjoyed and great poetry heralded.
Burns Night usually follows a certain running order, which goes a little like this: Welcome speech, grace, meal, poetry recital, Toast to the Lassies, Reply to the Toast to the Lassies, a rendition of Auld Lang Syne and some farewell words from the Host.
History of Burns Night
The first ever Burns Night was held in 1801 when nine of Burns’ friends met up and dedicated an entire evening to his memory five years after his death. During this evening they had a meal (including some famously Scottish haggis) followed by performances of his work and a toast to his life. It went down so well they decided to do it again, and again, and again… until it became a worldwide tradition celebrating all things Scottish.
Where to celebrate Burns Night in London
Burns Comedy Gala
6 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BX
January 25th
Enjoy yourself and celebrate the life and times of Robert Burns at this comedy event located in Leicester Square. Get ready to roll in the aisles laughing with the help of wickedly funny comedians Fern Brady, Chris Kent, Tiffany Stevenson and Simon Munnery.
Battersea Arts Centre: Burns Night Ceilidh
Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, London, SW11 5TN
January 20th
Enjoy great traditional Scottish food and a ceilidh (‘kay-lee’ a Gaelic word meaning gathering) full of fun and carefree festivities down at the Battersea Centre. A perfect place to pay tribute to the great Scottish Bard.
The Devil’s Violin & Burns Night Ceilidh
Wilton’s Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, off Ensign Street, London, E1 8JB
24th-25th January
Enjoy a spectacular orchestral performance led by famous folk fiddler Henry Webster and violinist Alexandra Wood. After journeying through the Locatelli’s Devil’s Trill and Coplan’s Hoe-Down from Rodeo, revel in a Burns Night feast and ceilidh like no other.
Ceilidh Club: Hammersmith Town Hall
Hammersmith Town Hall, London W6 9JU
20th, 21st, 27th and 28th January
When staying at LUMA Concept hotel London in Hammersmith, take yourself down to the Hammersmith Town Hall for an unforgettable Burns Night experience. The Ceilidh Club runs ceilidhs several times a month and has several dates specifically dedicated to Burns Night.
If you’re ever looking for a ceilidh in London our Hammersmith accommodation is the best place to be. The Ceilidh Club is only moments away from LUMA Concept Hotel London!