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25 January

Burns Night Ceilidhs

Haggis, a dram and a full dance floor. London's folk-rock ceilidh band for Burns Night parties, suppers and corporate celebrations.

Burns Night

The biggest ceilidh night of the year

Every January, Scots and honorary Scots celebrate Robert Burns with supper, poetry, whisky and dancing. For us it is the busiest and best time of year. We play a six-night public Burns Night run at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, and private and corporate Burns Nights across London.

Bring us in after the haggis and we will take the night from there. Laurie teaches every dance, so Scots, Sassenachs and complete beginners all end up on the same floor.

A full hall of ceilidh dancers

Your Burns Night

Everything after the haggis

An expert caller

Laurie Don has called ceilidhs for more than 20 years. He teaches each dance clearly and keeps the whole room together.

Built around your supper

We fit our sets around your running order, leaving room for the Selkirk Grace, the Address to a Haggis and the toasts.

The right line-up

The full band with drum kit for a big hall, or a smaller line-up for a private dining room or a tighter budget.

Proper Scottish dances

Strip the Willow, the Dashing White Sergeant, the Gay Gordons and more. The classics everyone expects on Burns Night.

PA included

We bring our own sound system and set up with minimal fuss, ready before your guests arrive.

Fully insured

Public liability insurance, as most venues require.

Come and dance

Public Burns Night ceilidhs

All events

Burns Night reviews

From our Burns Night dancers

★★★★★

"I went to the Sassenachs' Burns' Night Ceilidh at Big Penny Social and had an incredible time. The band are incredible and they are all so friendly too. Laurie, the caller, was excellent and regardless of age, experience level, or anything else, everybody was able to join in and it was such a positive atmosphere. I was a bit nervous going to a ceilidh without knowing anybody else there, but the band looked after you and helped find everyone partners - I even made a few friends!"

Sophie Maclean
Burns Night Ceilidh · Big Penny Social · 2026
★★★★★

"The Sassenachs Ceilidh Band are amazing! I went to Big Penny Social for their Burns Night Ceilidh and had a wonderful time. The music was fantastic and kept the energy high all night, making the dancing enjoyable for everyone. The atmosphere was lively, welcoming, and full of joy."

Niamh
Burns Night Ceilidh · Big Penny Social · 2026
★★★★★

"The night was amazing… The Sassenachs Ceilidh Band explained the dance’s incredibly well, we all bonded last night thanks to them! Would highly recommend this band! Great fun to have them!!"

Nikola
Burns Night · The Ned, London
★★★★★

"An amazing great Ceilidh band, did it all from welcome to MC, Raffles, Address to the Haggis and Aidan so easy to work with. A real delight. THANK YOU for being so professional."

Govert F. Deketh
Function

FAQ

Burns Night questions

Anything else? Call us on 07932 834 348.

Burns Night is 25 January, the birthday of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Celebrations run across the whole of late January, so many parties are held on the nearest Friday or Saturday, or on a weeknight that suits the group.

It is a Burns Night supper or party with ceilidh dancing: lively, caller-led Scottish dances with a live band. The caller teaches every dance before the music starts, so nobody needs any experience.

Yes. We fit our sets around your running order, so there is room for the supper, the toasts and the Address to a Haggis before or between the dancing.

No. Laurie Don, our caller, has more than 20 years of experience and walks everyone through each dance first. Complete beginners are on the floor from the first reel.

As early as you can. Late January is the busiest time of year for ceilidh bands, and our own diary includes a six-night public Burns Night run. Send us your date and we will confirm availability within 24 hours.

Yes. As well as our public Burns Night ceilidhs, we play private parties, Scottish societies and corporate Burns Night events, with the full band or a smaller line-up to suit the venue.

January books up early

Planning a Burns Night?

Late January is our busiest time of year. Send us your date and venue and we'll confirm availability within 24 hours.

Check your date