When will the three 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES programmes be broadcast?
The 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES will be on BBC Four at the end of December on these dates:
Sunday 29 December, 9pm BST: Lecture 1 - From Tastebuds to Toilet
Monday 30 December, 9pm: Lecture 2 - How Food Makes Us
Tuesday 31 December 9pm: Lecture 3 - The Big Food Hack
Find out more here
All three lectures will be available on iPlayer in the UK from the 29 December. We will also make them on YouTube for everyon outside the UK on the 31 December.
What age range are the CHRISTMAS LECTURES suitable for?
The CHRISTMAS LECTURES are aimed at an audience of 11-17 year olds, however they are accessible for people of all ages and all levels of scientific knowledge. They are typically watched by families together – a Christmas family tradition on the BBC.
Where can I get support if I find this topic triggering?
For these lectures, we've worked with Dr Agnes Ayton, former Chair of the Faculty of Eating Disorders at Royal College of Psychiatrists, as a consultant for the 2024 Christmas Lectures. She has advised the making of the lectures, ensuring we approach the topic of food appropriately.
We know discussing food, even through a scientific lens, can sometimes be difficult. The charity Beat can help if you're feeling impacted by our topic this year, visit their website for useful resources around disordered eating: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/
When and where are the 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES being filmed?
The Lectures will be filmed in front of a live audience of 11-17 year olds in the Ri’s historic Theatre on:
Tuesday 10 December 2024
Thursday 12 December 2024
Saturday 14 December 2024
How do I get tickets for the CHRISTMAS LECTURES filming?
Tickets for the CHRISTMAS LECTURES are allocated by a ballot for Ri Members and Patrons as a thank you for their support throughout the year. If you'd like to enter the ballot, you can join as a Member now.
The ballot is open to all Ri Members, Ri Young Members (including each individual within an Ri Family Membership group) and Ri Patrons.
All Ri Members and Patrons are eligible for one entry per membership. Your membership must be valid at the time you enter the ballot.
For more information on the ballot, please visit our dedicated frequently asked questions page.
Can my venue livestream the 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES?
We are looking for venues who want to livestream the filming of the lectures. Find out more and sign up here. You can see which venues are doing this on this page.
Can I re-watch the 2023 CHRISTMAS LECTURES?
All three lectures are now available on iPlayer, for those in the UK.
If you are outside the UK, you can watch them on our YouTube channel here.
For licensing reasons, these YouTube versions of the 2023 lectures are restricted to those outside the UK, while those in the UK can watch them on iPlayer.
How can I watch other past CHRISTMAS LECTURES?
You can watch our archive of Christmas lectures here on our website.
What is the history of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES?
Michael Faraday started the CHRISTMAS LECTURES at the Ri in 1825, to engage and educate young people about science. The Ri have hosted the Lectures every year since, stopping only for World War II. Read more about the history of the Lectures.
Michael Faraday started the CHRISTMAS LECTURES at the Ri in 1825, to engage and educate young people about science. The Ri have hosted the Lectures every year since, stopping only for World War II. Read more about the history of the Lectures.