That’s because January 25’s the actual birthday of Scotland’s national poet Robbie (or rather Rabbie) Burns, in whose honour the shindig’s being held — he was born in 1759.
"This year we’re trying to make it a bit more fun like a birthday party," organiser Chris Hutton, who’s originally from Edinburgh, says, "and some of the shenanigans will be slightly more birthday-related."
He says in other places Burns’ birthday’s celebrated with either a Burns supper or a ceilidh, but not often with both.
And even with places that celebrate both, "I know we’re the best".
That’s in good part, he says, because of his band, Hair O The Dog — "I’ve managed to snag the best band in New Zealand, and they live here".
"They’ve all got Celtic heritage, so it’s in their blood, really."
Doors open at the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall at 5.30pm — "there’s a little movie called From Scotland with Love that goes on for an hour while folks are getting seated" — and after the haggis is addressed, a three-course meal’s served from 6.15.
After dinner there’s a "rip-rousing" singalong before tables are cleared for dancing about 9.15pm.
Caller Ross Johnston will then call six Scottish country dances — "you get a verbal talk-through on the dance and then you get a demonstration from people who know what they’re doing and then you get this full calling".
"And we’ll do them at least twice."
The capacity’s again 225, and tickets are for sale through Humanitix.
"It’s just over $150, which is not the cheapest, but we’re trying to do better than break even," Hutton says.
"So, yeah, prices have gone up a bit, but we’re still keeping the bar prices low."
Proceeds will go to the Lakes Multicultural Collective, which helps migrants find their way in Queenstown-Lakes.
