9 Fantastic Burns Night Events in Edinburgh!
January brings the festive celebrations to a close, but, here in Scotland we have something else to look forward to this month, our “second national day”, Burns Night! Burns Night takes place annually on the 25th of January to celebrate Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796). Burns is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and also well known worldwide. If you haven’t heard of him, we’re sure you’ll be familiar with his poem “Auld Lang Syne”. There are a variety of fun activities and events taking place in Edinburgh to celebrate it and we’ve selected a few of our favourites to share with you.
1. Burns Unbound
- When: 21st of January
- Where: National Museum of Scotland
- Website: www.nms.ac.uk/whats-on/burns-unbound
Burns Unbound returns to the National Museum of Scotland. Celebrate the poetry and legacy of Robert Burns with a packed programme of creative activities and performances. Learn to ceilidh dance, enjoy live music and discover some of Burns’ iconic poems. We think this sounds like great fun for the family!
Photo Credit: Event Scotland
2. Red Red Rose Street
- When: 23rd-28th of January
- Where: Rose Street
- Website: www.redredrosestreet.co.uk/events
Rose Street will come alive with a variety of different events and decorations to celebrate Rabbie Burns! There will be a variety of free and ticketed, plus drop in entertainment and live street performances, so there’s bound to be something for everyone. We’ve listed a few of the fun events you can look forward to on Rose Street below.
- ‘Bairns’ Trail – If you have children, be sure to bring them along to enjoy searching out 6 hidden Rabbie Burns pictures to win a prize.
- Stories & Stovies – Pop along to The Basement and open your hearts and minds to the experiences of some of Edinburgh’s local storytellers whilst tucking into some tasty stovies.
- Captivate Theatre presents ‘Rabbie’ – The musical follows Burns’ life and his paradoxical personality through his poetry, music and the witty and poignant words of Dallmeyer.
- BYOBurns – ‘BYOB’ (Bring Your Own Burns) gives you an easy to follow, step-by-step guide on how to perfectly execute your very own Burns Supper!
Photo Credit: Jeff J Mitchell
3. Café Ceilidh: Burns Celebration
- When: 23rd of January (2pm-4pm)
- Where: Scottish Storytelling Centre
- Website: www.tracscotland.org/scottish-storytelling-centre
Here’s another event that sounds fun for all ages! Join the Scots Music Group for an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems, and stories celebrating Scotland’s national poet. The event will be held in the relaxed setting of the Storytelling Court.
Photo Credit: Scottish Storytelling Centre
4. Whiski Rooms Burns Night Supper
- When: 25th of January
- Where: Whiski Rooms
- Website: www.whiskirooms.co.uk/burns-night-supper
There’s no better way to celebrate Burns Night than with a Burns Night Supper. So, reserve a table and head along to the atmospheric Whiski Rooms to enjoy a memorable night with the best bagpipes, speeches, haggis, and whisky (of course)!
Photo Credit: Whiski Rooms
5. Tam O’Shanter: Telling the big Tale
- When: 20th of January
- Where: Scottish Storytelling Centre
- Website: www.tracscotland.org/scottish-storytelling-centre/tamoshanter
Explore Robert Burns’ master narrative and learn how to recite this most mighty of tales. Donald Smith shares his lifelong quest to understand the poem and do it justice in that ever-elusive perfect telling.
Photo Credit: Scottish Storytelling Centre
6. The Family Ceilidh
- When: 26th & 27th of January
- Where: George Street’s Freemasons Hall
- Website: www.redredrosestreet.co.uk/family-ceilidh/
Set against the traditional and beautiful backdrop of George Street’s Freemasons Hall, this event sounds like a marvelous outing for the family! Bringing together an impressive Ceilidh band and traditional music and moves, the Family Ceilidh will have all ages stomping for more. The Gay Gordons, Strip The Willow, and The Dashing White Sergeant are among some of the classic dances that can be expected on the day!
Photo Credit: Edinburgh Evening News
7. The Stand Comedy Club: Burns Night Special
- When: 28th of January
- Where: The Stand
- Website: www.thestand.co.uk/show/burnsnightspecial
Scots are know for their great sense of humour so celebrate Burns Night in style with an evening of top comedy and some traditional Scottish fayre!
Photo Credit: The Stand
8. The Ghillie Dhu Rabbie Burns Experience
- When: 19th, 20th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th of January
- Where: Ghillie Dhu
- Website: www.ghillie-dhu.co.uk/burns-night
Celebrate Burns Night in style at The Ghille Dhu. You’ll start your night off with a dram on arrival, then the haggis will be piped into the room with a Robert Burns reading and the traditional toast. Throughout dinner there will be traditional live Scottish Folk Music and after dinner immerse yourself in a truly traditional Scottish experience with a live Ceilidh band calling all the classic jigs and reels for you to dance the night away!
Photo Credit: The Ghillie Dhu
9. Burns Unbroke
- When: 25th of January-10th of March
- Where: Summerhall
- Website: www.artruist.com
Last, but certainly not least, Burns Unbroke is a new contemporary multi-arts festival. Burns Unbroke features the work of over 30 visual artists, across eleven galleries, an Alternative Burns night, a Flyting competition, a series of Whisky Masterclasses generously supported by Arran Whisky, a tailor-made programme of music plus children’s performance and workshops.
Photo Credit: Event Scotland
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