Brighton Seed Talks

You'll hear about the ancient spiritual origins of European midwinter festivities and how they've shaped the Christmas we know today. The talk will delve into the stories of lesser-known figures like St Lucy, a Christian martyr who brings light and warmth to the winter solstice, and the darker side of Father Christmas.

The Seed Talks event will also explore the connections between Christmas and Roman festivals like Kalends, Saturnalia, and Sol Invictus, where feasting and misrule were a big part of the celebrations. You'll learn about the shadowy figures of Christmas, including fairies, demons, and witches, and how they've influenced our modern celebrations.

The talk takes place at the Brighthelm Centre in Brighton on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, and tickets are available with the button beside this article. The event will run until Wednesday, 2 December 2026 at 23:00, giving you plenty of time to join in and discover the magical and mysterious heart of midwinter. A Q&A session will follow the talk, allowing you to ask questions and delve deeper into the topic.