The Dark Origins of Christmas: Demons, witches & Twelfth Night

Delve into the ancient spiritual origins and lesser-known histories of European midwinter festivities. Followed by Q&A.

Step into midwinter and discover Christmas in a new light - not only a Christian holiday, but as a festival shaped by ancient rituals of darkness, light, and rebirth. This talk uncovers lesser-known histories including the story of St Lucy, the Christian martyr, bringer of light and healer of sight, who brings the warmth of family love to the winter solstice (along with spiced buns).

We’ll trace connections to Roman festivals like Kalends, Saturnalia and Sol Invictus, where feasting, misrule, and the promise of the returning sun shaped our modern celebrations. We’ll explore Christmas’ shadowy figures - the fairies, demons, and witches - and uncover Father Christmas’s forgotten, darker side. Finally, we’ll learn why Twelfth Night, once called Mischief Night, featured the witch Befana flying across Milan and the Wild Hunt gathered in the skies over Britain. Join us for a journey into the magical, mysterious heart of midwinter - where light and darkness meet, and Christmas reveals its ancient, mysterious origins.

Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7:30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!

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Speaker Bio:

Diane Purkiss is Professor of English at the University of Oxford, and a fellow of Keble College.