Name: Burns Night in London
Start: 20230125T000000Z
End: 20230125T235959Z

People dance together to scottish music at a church with tartan decorations on burns night london. — Dance the night away at Burns Night celebrations at the Nest Collective. Image courtesy of The Nest Collective © Ollie Denton

Celebrate Scottish poet Robert Burns' birthday with poetry readings, slap-up dinners, traditional dancing and a toast with the best Scottish whisky in London.

About

Eat, drink and dance to celebrate the life and work of Scotland’s national bard on Burns Night 2023 in London.

Born in 1759, Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist who became a national icon. Burns Night is marked with a traditional supper and music on or around the anniversary of his birth, 25 January, in Scotland and across the UK.

Many London restaurants and bars hold Burns Night events, serving up suppers of haggis and tatties with a wee dram of Scottish whisky. More elaborate London Burns Night celebrations also include poetry readings, toasts and bagpipe music, before everyone joins in the ceilidh dancing.

Whether you choose to don your finest tartan outfit or otherwise, there are plenty of things to do on Burns Night in London, from whisky bars to full-out Scottish festivities.

Wondering what type of events can you enjoy? Here's how to celebrate Burns Night in London in 2023.

Content contains affiliate links, marked with asterisks (*). If you click through and make a purchase, Visit London receives a commission – every purchase supports London’s jobs and economy.

Iconic Burns Night experiences and events

Whisky tasting experiences in London

Bottles of whisky on a small table with glasses and plates of cheese, fruit and chocolate.

Discover a whisky tasting experience on and around Burns Night.

Savour the famous tipple paired with delicious cheeses at a Whisky Masterclass at Park Row* at the DC-inspired Pennyworth's Bar. (Tuesday-Thursday and Sundays year-round)
Take a journey into the world of whisky at a Whisky Tasting Experience with Sharing Dishes at The Rubens Palace*. (Daily year-round)
Delight in a two-hour Whisky Tasting Experience at TT Liquor in Shoreditch* where you'll sample six whiskeys from the major countries that produce it. (Saturdays year-round)

Celebrations in London

Attend one of the city's Burns Night celebrations.

Spend a memorable evening at The Nest Collective, enjoying a glass or two of whisky and dancing to live music from their house band, the Ceilidh Liberation Front.
Head to Skylight rooftop bar for an evening of drams and dramatic skies, as guests are welcomed by the sound of bagpipes with whisky tasting and a highland dance performance.
Enjoy the annual Burns Night celebrations at London's Scottish-themed mini chain, Boisdale.
Devour haggis and ace your dance steps with the lot from the Ceilidh Club in a three-hour evening of food, dancing, piping and poetry.

Check back nearer the time for more Burns Night celebrations or discover more iconic events across London in 2023.