Wednesday 16th December 2026, 6:30-7:30pm In-person 

When did Christmas become Christmas? How old are the customs which we generally observe today: are they prehistoric in origin, or largely Victorian inventions? Are Santa Claus and Father Christmas really the same figure, and where did each of them come from? Are there any enduring characteristics of the midwinter festival that have survived centuries of religious, social, and cultural change—and might continue to survive in the future?

In this talk, Professor Ronald Hutton explores the deep and fascinating history of Christmas, tracing its evolution from ancient seasonal celebrations to the modern holiday we recognise today

About our speaker

Ronald Hutton is Professor of History in the University of Bristol, the Gresham Professor of Divinity at London, and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, the Society of Antiquaries, the Learned Society of Wales, and the British Academy. He has held a number of public posts and been appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He is currently the chair of the first national Blue Plaques Panel. He has published nineteen books and ninety-six essays on a wide range of subjects including British history between 1400 and 1700, ancient and modern paganism in Britain, the British ritual year, and Siberian shamanism.