Burns Night Ideas: How to Host a Burns Supper at Home

October 7, 2026

Burns Night on 25 January celebrates Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, with haggis, whisky, poetry and song.

Here's how to host your own Burns supper. For background, see what is Burns Night: What is burns night

Running order

Welcome and the Selkirk Grace
Piping in the haggis
Address to a Haggis
Toast to the haggis
The meal
The Immortal Memory (a speech about Burns)
Toast to the Lassies, and the reply
Auld Lang Syne

Extras

Tartan table runner
A ceilidh playlist
Burns poetry readings
A Scottish quiz
Burns Night cards. Messages: Burns night card messages

Key things to remember

Haggis is usually sold pre-cooked; just heat it through.
Print the words to Auld Lang Syne for guests.

Frequently asked questions

What do you eat on Burns Night?

Haggis, neeps (swede) and tatties (potatoes), often with cranachan for pudding.

When is Burns Night?

25 January, Robert Burns' birthday.

What is a good example of burns Night ideas?

"1. Welcome and the Selkirk Grace" is one of 19 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.

Can I copy these messages word for word?

Yes. Everything on this page is free to copy, print and read out - no permission or credit needed. Changing one detail so it fits the person is all we would suggest.

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