CHRISTMAS LECTURES

What are the CHRISTMAS LECTURES^®?

The CHRISTMAS LECTURES^® are our biggest events; demonstration-packed, fun-filled science events for young people. Started by Michael Faraday in 1825, they are now broadcast on UK television every Christmas and have formed part of the British Christmas tradition for generations.
More information about the CHRISTMAS LECTURES^® trademark.

2012 CHRISTMAS LECTURES^®

View past CHRISTMAS LECTURES^®on the Ri Channel

CHRISTMAS LECTURES^® in recent years

The theme of the lectures changes every year, and they are delivered by an expert in their field. You can explore lectures from recent years online by playing games, downloading experiments and finding out about the science, people and production that goes in to each series.

 

 
You can also order your own copy of recent years on DVD. Still available are the 2007 lectures Back from the brink: the science of survival given by Dr Hugh Montgomery. You can also order your copy of the 2010 Lectures, Size Matters given by Dr Mark Miodownik.

History of the lectures

The CHRISTMAS LECTURES^® have been inspiring children and adults alike since 1825.

Click here for more information about previous lecturers.

Video archives

You can enjoy many of the lectures again by watching them from our webcast archive. This archive contains most of the lectures that have been broadcast since we started showing them on TV in the 1960s, given by some of our most famous lecturers like Sir David Attenborough in 1973, astronomer Carl Sagan in 1977 and Ian Stewart in 1997.