Royal Institution on track for highest-ever number of CHRISTMAS LECTURES® livestream partners

The announcement made today by the Ri, puts the science engagement charity on track to reach the highest number of venues since livestreaming of the iconic series began nearly a decade ago.  

Audiences in theatres, hospitals, universities and science discovery centres throughout the UK will join over 400 young people in the Ri’s central London Theatre, in being the first to witness Professor Jim Al-Khalili’s 2026 series of Lectures unfold. 

In the 2026 CHRISTMAS LECTURES® – supported by leading IT and business consulting firm, CGI, as title partner – theoretical physicist, author and broadcaster Professor Jim Al-Khalili will tackle the awe-inspiring science of time, revealing why it remains one of science’s most tantalising and mysterious topics.  

Among the partners announced today are We the Curious in Bristol, Jersey Library, TechFest in Aberdeen, Great Ormond Street Hospital, the Winchester Science Centre and the National Museum Scotland. 

Ninety years on from when the CHRISTMAS LECTURES® became the first science programme to be broadcast on UK national television, the Ri is inviting further partner venues to join those already confirmed in this special anniversary year.  

The 2026 Lectures will be broadcast on the BBC and iPlayer in late December. 

Katherine Mathieson, Director of the Royal Institution (Ri), said:

 “Being the first to watch each year’s Lectures unfold during the live filming is a special experience. So as we continue to widen access to science through the Ri, we are keen for as many young people and their families as possible to have the opportunity to join with everyone in the Ri Theatre. And in this very special year marking the 90th anniversary of the first television broadcast, we can’t wait for an equally special set of Lectures from such an outstanding science communicator as Jim Al-Khalili.”  

Shaaron Leverment, Chief Executive of the Association of Science Discovery Centres, said: 

“Science and discovery centres and museums have livestreamed the iconic CHRISTMAS LECTURES® for the past few years, sharing the energy and excitement of this all-time favourite science event with new audiences at venues across the UK. With Jim Al-Khalili giving the this year’s Lectures on such a fascinating topic as time, we're expecting great interest, and we’re delighted to be supporting our friends at the Ri to take their unique demonstrations and accessible science to many, many more people.”  

 Established by Michael Faraday in 1825, the CHRISTMAS LECTURES® from the Royal Institution were broadcast on the BBC in 1936, making them the first science show on UK national television, and have been broadcast every year since 1966. With millions of views on the BBC, and afterwards on the Ri YouTube channel, they continue to be the world’s leading science lectures for young people. 

The Ri is grateful to its CHRISTMAS LECTURES® Title Partner, CGI, and to 2026 Lectures Partner UKRI, for their generous support for the Ri in producing this year’s Lectures.  

Venues wishing to join as a livestream partner should please visit: www.rigb.org/become-christmas-lectures-livestream-venue. 

2026 CHRISTMAS LECTURES® from the Royal Institution 

Confirmed dates for livestream venues around the UK 

This table will be updated as each of our 36 partner venues confirms the dates they will be hosting a livestream viewing.