As the winter chill settles over London, the city prepares to honor Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, with a series of festive events from January 21-25, 2026. Burns Night celebrates the poet’s birthday on January 25, continuing a tradition that began with the first supper in 1801.
Londoners can join celebrations at various venues including Porchester Hall on January 23-24, St Gabriel’s Parish House on January 24, and the London Scottish Rugby event.
Experience Scotland’s heart in London at Porchester Hall, St Gabriel’s Parish House, or the London Scottish Rugby celebrations.
The evening follows time-honored traditions that transport guests to the Scottish Highlands. The haggis, the star of any Burns Night, is ceremoniously piped in and addressed with Burns’ famous poem “Address to a Haggis.” Guests enjoy a buffet of haggis (with vegan, vegetarian, and meat options), neeps (turnips), and tatties (potatoes). Many venues also serve sticky toffee pudding and pair meals with carefully selected whiskies.
At Porchester Hall, doors open at 7:00 PM with food served at 7:15 PM. Dancing begins at 8:00 PM, while the haggis ceremony occurs at 9:20 PM followed by a solo bagpipes session at 9:35 PM.
St Gabriel’s offers dinner from 8:00-11:00 PM, followed by ceilidh dancing. Most events conclude with everyone joining hands to sing “Auld Lang Syne” at 11:00 PM.
For whisky enthusiasts, special experiences abound. The Barrel Top Tasting on January 22 in Covent Garden and London Bridge costs just £10. Oriole in Covent Garden offers a Highland Park whisky flight featuring 12, 15, and 18-year expressions for £15 from January 21-25.
No Burns Night is complete without entertainment. Ceilidh dancing, suitable for all experience levels, features at most events with callers guiding participants through traditional Scottish dances. Live bagpipes, poetry readings, guest speakers, and auctions add to the festivities.
Boisdale Canary Wharf hosts a special Burns Week with dinner and shows, while Bethnal Green offers free haggis bites with £9.50 whisky cocktails and a DJ set by Pam Hogg. The London Scottish Football Club will host their Burns Supper on January 31 at their venue on Kew Foot Road, offering a three-course meal with wine and entertainment. The celebration embodies the spirit of bringing people together across societal divisions, reflecting the core cultural significance of this cherished Scottish tradition. The Whisky Edit event at Lass O Richmond on January 24th presents an opportunity to enjoy fine drams with thoughtfully paired bites in a warm communal setting.
