Returning Big Burns Supper making a splash in Dumfries

Wet Wet Wet and an underwater Burns supper are among over 150 events being staged in 25 venues from January 17 to February 2

After a year’s hiatus, Big Burns Supper will be back better than ever in Dumfries early next year with headliners, carnival, fringe festival – and the world’s first underwater Burns supper.

Hosted in a custom-built underwater venue in the town with professional performers, BBS founder and executive producer, Graham Main, said the new “bold and playful reinterpretation of the classic Burns Supper” will offer “a dining experience that promises to be like no other”.

It is being billed for those with “a thirst for adventure and an appetite for the extraordinary” and is just one the many events to come at the popular winter festival.

Mr Main said: “We are excited to bring something so original and daring to Big Burns Supper. The Underwater Burns Supper really reflects the festival’s spirit of curiosity and fun while honouring Scotland’s national poet in a way he would surely have enjoyed – by breaking all the rules.”

This year’s serving of BBS will also offers a variety of quirky twists on the Burns Supper tradition. There will be a roving feast where attendees can enjoy haggis, neeps, and tatties while touring the streets of Dumfries on a vintage red bus and a family-friendly version of a classic Burns Supper which Mr Main said will “allow everyone to enjoy a slice of Scottish culture”.

More than 150 events will be held in 25 venues from January 17 to February 2 under the festival’s banner, and the main Burns Weekend will be kicked off on Friday, January 24, in the Loreburn Hall with a performance by legendary pop band, Wet Wet Wet, with the supports homegrown talent, The Lutras.

The popular Burns Night Live will be broadcast to a global audience from eight different stages as Eddi Reader will join local artists including joining local artists Claire Hastings and Grant Dinwiddie for the flagship event.

Broadcast live from the Loreburn Hall to the thousands of Big Burns Supper fans across the world, for the first time festival-goers in the Loreburn Hall can enjoy a Burns Supper feast while the event is streaming.

The Dumfries Fringe will host international artists, with a late-night cabaret programme at Theatre Royal and shows at seven other local venues.

Another highlight will be the return of the Dumfries Carnival with a 1950’s theme on January 18 from 5pm. Around 800 are expected to take part in the lantern procession, featuring more than 2,000 glowing creations, which could attract an on-street audience of 10,000 people.

Dumfries Carnival weekend will see free and affordable events geared towards families, as well as the launch of Northern Lights – a new three day free festival with more details to come.

The festival also offers a vibrant programme of street theatre, local music on outdoor stages, and a Ceilidh Weekend for traditional dance lovers.

Other headliners to look out for include Glasgow-based funk-soul powerhouse, Tom McGuire & The Brassholes at the Festival Club on February 1; award-winning folk/pop trio from Canada, The East Pointers; Canadian singer-songwriter Julian Taylor, who has been nominated for two JUNO Awards; and The UK Blues Band of the Year 2024, Cinelli Brothers.

Also starring are Scotland’s premier ska band, Bombskare; Belfast Community Gospel Choir; Clubland Classical by Funktion and Kaleidoscope Orchestra; Scotland’s premier LGBTQ+ choir, Edinburgh Gay Men’s Chorus; Glasgow-based funk-soul grunge band, The Girobabies; and Australian acclaimed singer-songwriter behind the theme music for Wallander and The Shadow Line, Emily Barker.

• For tickets are more details see www.bigburnssupper.com.

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