Nintendo has a knack for weaving real-world traditions into its beloved franchises, and one of the finest examples of this is the longstanding celebration of Burns Night in Animal Crossing.
Burns Night, held annually on January 25th, commemorates the birthday of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.
His influence on Scottish identity and the broader Romantic literary movement has resonated worldwide, and Nintendo’s nod to this cultural event has brought Scottish flair to the lives of Animal Crossing fans across several generations of hardware—from the Wii’s City Folk to the portable Nintendo Switch’s New Horizons. Robert Burns (1759–1796) penned enduring works such as "Auld Lang Syne," “A Red, Red Rose,” and “Tam o’ Shanter”—the latter lending its name to the iconic virtual headwear found in Animal Crossing.
Starting in 2010, players of Animal Crossing: City Folk (known as Let's Go to the City in PAL regions) could collect the Tam o’ Shanter hat in celebration of Burn's birthday.
The tradition was warmly welcomed by fans and continued in subsequent iterations, including Animal Crossing: New Leaf on Nintendo 3DS and Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch. The Tam o’ Shanter item is more than just a festive tartan bonnet; equipping it transforms a character’s hairstyle into a distinctively Scottish look.
The in-game experience mirrors real Burns Night festivities, which often include reciting Burns’s poetry, enjoying haggis, neeps, and tatties, and raising a dram of whisky for a communal toast.
As Animal Crossing players don the virtual Tam o’ Shanter, they become part of a digital homage to Scottish heritage that is both playful and respectful. Veteran Animal Crossing players may recall earning the Tam o’ Shanter by assisting Gulliver with finding communicator parts in New Horizons or by stopping by the Post Office in New Leaf.
For those seeking more personalized flair, the custom design portal in New Horizons offers countless Scottish- and tartan-themed creations curated by a vibrant worldwide community. Nintendo’s inclusion of Burns Night content is a testament to Animal Crossing's celebration of cultural diversity and global holidays.
The tradition has become a yearly highlight for series enthusiasts and has introduced many international players to Scotland’s literary richness.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the latest entry released for the Nintendo Switch in March 2020, has sold over 40 million copies worldwide (as of spring 2024) and continues to be a platform where special cultural events find a global audience. Whether you’re enjoying your haggis in real life or virtually, Nintendo encourages all Switch owners to embrace Scottish culture—not just through festive hats, but also by exploring Scotland-inspired indie titles available on the eShop, such as Farewell North, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, and A Highland Song. On this Burns Night, Animal Crossing players the world over can raise a glass—to Rabbie Burns, to Scottish heritage, and to Nintendo’s commitment to making the world a bit smaller, one virtual celebration at a time.
Burns Night, held annually on January 25th, commemorates the birthday of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.
His influence on Scottish identity and the broader Romantic literary movement has resonated worldwide, and Nintendo’s nod to this cultural event has brought Scottish flair to the lives of Animal Crossing fans across several generations of hardware—from the Wii’s City Folk to the portable Nintendo Switch’s New Horizons. Robert Burns (1759–1796) penned enduring works such as "Auld Lang Syne," “A Red, Red Rose,” and “Tam o’ Shanter”—the latter lending its name to the iconic virtual headwear found in Animal Crossing.
Starting in 2010, players of Animal Crossing: City Folk (known as Let's Go to the City in PAL regions) could collect the Tam o’ Shanter hat in celebration of Burn's birthday.
The tradition was warmly welcomed by fans and continued in subsequent iterations, including Animal Crossing: New Leaf on Nintendo 3DS and Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch. The Tam o’ Shanter item is more than just a festive tartan bonnet; equipping it transforms a character’s hairstyle into a distinctively Scottish look.
The in-game experience mirrors real Burns Night festivities, which often include reciting Burns’s poetry, enjoying haggis, neeps, and tatties, and raising a dram of whisky for a communal toast.
As Animal Crossing players don the virtual Tam o’ Shanter, they become part of a digital homage to Scottish heritage that is both playful and respectful. Veteran Animal Crossing players may recall earning the Tam o’ Shanter by assisting Gulliver with finding communicator parts in New Horizons or by stopping by the Post Office in New Leaf.
For those seeking more personalized flair, the custom design portal in New Horizons offers countless Scottish- and tartan-themed creations curated by a vibrant worldwide community. Nintendo’s inclusion of Burns Night content is a testament to Animal Crossing's celebration of cultural diversity and global holidays.
The tradition has become a yearly highlight for series enthusiasts and has introduced many international players to Scotland’s literary richness.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the latest entry released for the Nintendo Switch in March 2020, has sold over 40 million copies worldwide (as of spring 2024) and continues to be a platform where special cultural events find a global audience. Whether you’re enjoying your haggis in real life or virtually, Nintendo encourages all Switch owners to embrace Scottish culture—not just through festive hats, but also by exploring Scotland-inspired indie titles available on the eShop, such as Farewell North, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, and A Highland Song. On this Burns Night, Animal Crossing players the world over can raise a glass—to Rabbie Burns, to Scottish heritage, and to Nintendo’s commitment to making the world a bit smaller, one virtual celebration at a time.
