What traditions are part of a Burns Night supper?

Burns Night is celebrated annually on January 25, the birthday of Robert Burns, to honor Scotland’s national poet through food, drink, and verse.12

The centerpiece of the celebration is the Burns Supper, which features haggis as the star of the meal. Traditions include:2

• Ceremonial Entrance: Proceedings may begin with a piper, and the haggis is often brought out with ceremony.12
• Recitation: Before the haggis is carved and served, Burns’s poem To a Haggis is recited.2
• The Meal: Haggis is traditionally served with mashed turnips ("neeps") and potatoes ("tatties"), accompanied by Scotch whisky.1
• Toasts and Entertainment: The evening includes performances of Burns’s songs and poems. Key toasts include a formal tribute to Burns, the "Toast to the Lassies," and a witty "Reply from the Lassies".2
• Conclusion: The event typically ends with a group rendition of "Auld Lang Syne," perhaps the poet's most famous work.2

Celebrations range from intimate gatherings to elaborate formal events.2