Statue of Robbie Burns against a backdrop of a Scottish flag, with haggis, whisky glasses and ceilidh dancers in the background
Photograph: Shutterstock / Jamie Inglis for Time Out
Photograph: Shutterstock / Jamie Inglis for Time Out

Burns Night in London

The annual Scottish knees-up is a great excuse to dance away the January blues. Here’s how to celebrate in London

Alex Sims
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Thank god for Burns Night. As the long, bleak month of January rolls on, this kilt-raising, haggis-scoffing, whisky-fuelled celebration of Scotland’s national poet Rabbie Burns is a chance to banish the winter blues and have a rip-roaring time.

The Bard turns 266 this year, but you don’t have to be in the big guy’s motherland to join in the festivities. An estimated 200,000 Scottish expats live in the capital, which technically makes it the third most populous Scottish city, so you can guarantee there’s plenty of feasting, boozing and partying to be done down here too. 

When is Burns Night in London?

Burns Night always falls on January 25, the day Robert Burns was born in South Ayrshire way back in 1759. With this year’s celebration falling on a Saturday, you can probably expect this year’s festivities to be even more raucous than usual.

Whether you want to get sweaty at a ceilidh, pipe in a haggis, or have a classy time at a whisky tasting or indulgent Burns supper, this is how you can enjoy Burns Night 2025 in London. 

RECOMMENDED: Here are London's best spots for a delicious Burns Night supper.

Burns Night 2025 celebrations in London

  • Things to do
  • Bermondsey

If you want to celebrate Burns Night without scuppering your Dry January completely, Small Beer has the perfect ceilidh for you. The brewery which overs up low-calorie, low-ABV brews – including a 1 percent dark lager and a 2.5 percent session pale – is hosting a full haggis supper in its aesthetically-pleasing taproom, followed by piping, whiskey toasts and, of course, dancing. 

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