Burns Night 2026
Mark Burns Night with a plate of haggis, neeps and tatties, and a few lines of verse. Every 25 January, Scotland and the Scottish diaspora honour the poet Robert Burns with a supper that is as much about spoken poetry as it is about food — a living literary tradition more than two centuries old.
About Burns Night
History & origins
Burns Night falls on 25 January, the birthday of Robert Burns (born 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire; died 1796). Burns wrote in Scots and English and became Scotland’s best-known poet; “Auld Lang Syne,” “To a Mouse,” “Tam o’ Shanter,” and “Address to a Haggis” are among the pieces still heard on the night.
The first commemorative supper was held by friends on 21 July 1801 — the fifth anniversary of his death — at what is now Burns Cottage in Alloway. Celebrations soon shifted toward his birthday. Early Burns clubs (Greenock among them) initially used a wrong parish date, then settled on 25 January once Ayr records confirmed the birth. Formal and informal Burns suppers have been held on or near that date ever since, in Scotland and around the world.
A classic supper centres on haggis (a savoury pudding traditionally of sheep’s offal, oatmeal, onion, and spices, cooked in a casing), served with neeps (mashed swede/turnip) and tatties (mashed potato). Guests often stand as the haggis is piped in; someone recites “Address to a Haggis” before the dish is cut. Poems, an Immortal Memory toast to Burns, and “Auld Lang Syne” at the end are common — the evening can be formal club dinner or a simple home meal.
Why it matters
Burns Night is one of the clearest annual expressions of Scottish literary identity that anyone can join: you do not need to be Scottish to cook the meal or read a poem aloud. It keeps a major poet in living use rather than only in anthologies, and it gives food a ceremonial role that is cultural and communal rather than corporate.
How to celebrate
Host or join a Burns supper. Cook or order haggis with neeps and tatties (vegetarian haggis is widely available). Read “Address to a Haggis,” “To a Mouse,” or another short poem aloud — stumbling through it is part of the fun. Stream a ceilidh playlist or learn one Burns song. Visit a Burns-related site if you are in Ayrshire, or support a local Scottish cultural group. Keep the focus on food, verse, and company.
Facts
- Robert Burns was born on 25 January 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire
- Friends held the first commemorative supper on 21 July 1801, five years after his death
- “Address to a Haggis” (1786) is still recited when the dish is brought to the table
- Neeps and tatties mean mashed swede/turnip and mashed potato
- Burns clubs and diaspora communities hold suppers worldwide on or near 25 January
Upcoming dates
- Sunday, January 25, 2026
- Monday, January 25, 2027
- Tuesday, January 25, 2028
- Thursday, January 25, 2029
- Friday, January 25, 2030
Frequently asked questions
When is Burns Night in 2026?
Burns Night in 2026 falls on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Is today Burns Night?
No. Burns Night in 2026 falls on Sunday, January 25, 2026, not today.
What is Burns Night?
Burns Night is the annual cultural celebration of Scottish poet Robert Burns. It is best known for the Burns supper: haggis, neeps and tatties, poetry readings, and songs such as “Auld Lang Syne.”
Who started Burns Night?
Friends of Burns held the first memorial supper in 1801. Burns clubs then carried the custom forward; there is no single modern “founder” of the food day — it grew from those early commemorations.
How do you celebrate Burns Night?
A simple way is a home or restaurant Burns supper with haggis, neeps and tatties, plus a short poem read aloud. Pipe music, ceilidh dancing, and “Auld Lang Syne” are optional extras.
Is Burns Night an official holiday?
No. It is not a UK bank holiday. Shops, schools, and offices follow their usual schedules unless a local event says otherwise. It is a cultural observance, not a day off.
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