Burns Night is celebrated on January 25 each year, the birthday of Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet. People in Scotland and around the world, including many Scottish Americans, gather for a Burns Supper, with haggis, poetry, music, toasts and whisky. Burns is best known worldwide as the writer of 'Auld Lang Syne', the song sung at midnight on New Year's Eve.
History of Burns Night
Robert Burns was born on January 25, 1759, in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland. The son of a farmer, he wrote poems and songs in the Scots language and English about love, nature, friendship and ordinary people. His first collection, published in 1786, made him famous. He also collected and adapted hundreds of traditional Scottish songs. Burns died in 1796 at just 37.
In 1801, a group of Burns's friends gathered at his cottage in Alloway to honor his memory, holding the first Burns Supper. Burns clubs soon formed, and the date moved to his birthday. The tradition spread around the world with Scottish emigrants.
A traditional Burns Supper follows a set order: a welcome, the Selkirk Grace, the 'piping in' of the haggis, a recitation of Burns's poem 'Address to a Haggis', a meal of haggis with neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes), toasts, recitations and songs. The evening ends with everyone singing 'Auld Lang Syne'. Traditional haggis, which contains sheep's lung, has been banned from import into the United States since 1971, so American suppers often use lung-free versions.
Why Burns Night Matters
Burns Night celebrates Scottish culture, language and literature, and it's a highlight of the year for Scottish communities abroad.
Robert Burns's poems celebrate equality, friendship and the dignity of ordinary people, themes that still resonate today.
A Burns Supper is a sociable, joyful evening, bringing people together in the dark of winter with food, laughter and song.
How to Celebrate Burns Night
- Host a Burns Supper: serve haggis, neeps and tatties.
- Read Burns: recite a poem aloud.
- Sing 'Auld Lang Syne': learn all the verses.
- Try Scottish food: make cranachan, a dessert of cream, oats and raspberries.
- Raise a toast: adults 21+ can toast with Scotch whisky.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, share Scottish shortbread or host a short poetry reading. In classrooms, students can read Burns's poems, explore the Scots language or learn about Scottish culture. At home, families can make a simple Burns Supper with a lung-free haggis, vegetarian haggis or Scottish-inspired dishes. If serving whisky, it's only for adults 21 and older; offer non-alcoholic toasts too.
Fun Facts About Burns Night
- Robert Burns was born on January 25, 1759.
- The first Burns Supper was held in 1801.
- Traditional haggis imports have been banned in the U.S. since 1971.
Burns Night FAQs
When is Burns Night?
Burns Night is celebrated on January 25 each year.
Who was Robert Burns?
Scotland's national poet, born in 1759, famous for 'Auld Lang Syne'.
What is a Burns Supper?
A celebration with haggis, poetry, toasts and songs honoring Robert Burns.
What is haggis?
A Scottish dish of sheep's offal, oats, onion and spices, traditionally cooked in a casing.
Can you buy haggis in the U.S.?
Traditional haggis with sheep's lung is banned, but lung-free versions are sold.
What is 'Address to a Haggis'?
A poem by Robert Burns recited before the haggis is served.