Burns & Beyond Festival with Johnnie Walker
Raise a dram to Scotland's most famous poet at Burns & Beyond with Johnnie Walker 2020. Celebrating the legacy of Robert Burns through a programme of live music, art, comedy and creative talent from across Scotland, the inaugural festival welcomed over 30,000 visitors last year and it’s back from Tuesday 21 January to Saturday 01 February. Here’s what to expect:
A new festival club
Promising a feast of live music, performance and whisky, the Festival Club at the Assembly Rooms, George Street, from Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 January. Scottish music legend and inspirational artist Edwyn Collins will kick off celebrations on the first night and Glasgow four-piece band Tide Lines will appear on the Friday.
Chinese new year celebrations
Burns Night and Chinese New Year both fall on 25 January – a coincidence of timing that only occurs every 76 years. To celebrate, there are special events including bilingual ceilidhs, the Chinese Lantern installation at St Giles’ Cathedral (pictured above), Burns & Beyond Culture Crawl and the Giant Lanterns of China at Edinburgh Zoo.
Family-friendly events
For families and younger Burns fans, there’s a new (free) fun-packed lunchtime party with poetry, music and ceilidh dancing, The Bairn’s Burns Supper, on Saturday 25 January. Major Minor Music Club will also be at Freemason’s Hall, George Street, on Sunday 26 January featuring Martha Ffion and Band.
The ultimate burns supper
Expect comedy, live music and delicious food and drink at the not-so-traditional Burns Supper in Freemasons’ Hall on Friday 24 January. Comedian Scott Gibson will host the event with special guests, a few surprises and a spectacular ceilidh finale.
A touching tribute
Celebrating the life and music of Frightened Rabbit’s Scott Hutchison, Burns & Beyond Charity Concert is a night of live music and entertainment curated by Scott’s brother and bandmate, Grant Hutchison and family. It takes place at the Usher Hall on Sunday 26 January and all proceeds raised from ticket sales will be donated to charity Tiny Changes, raising awareness about mental health issues affecting children and young people.