10 December 2025, 13:00 - 14:00
‘A 17th-Century Christmas’
Frost Fairs, Wassails and Twelfth Night revels – Christmas in the 17th century was an extravagant affair!
In Oxford, the Boar’s Head Feast was held in Queen’s College, while Lords of Misrule presided in St John’s. The Puritans considered the whole festival a hotch-potch of Catholic and pagan idolatry and when they came to power after the Civil War they banned Christmas itself. But the high jinks returned with the Restoration, and with them arrived a new figure to preside over the celebrations – in the person of Father Christmas.
Join Tim Healey for a very seasonally appropriate Lunchtime Talk, painting a vibrant portrait of winter festivities in a turbulent age.
Tickets cost £6 and are available online via Eventbrite (booking fee applies) or at the Museum shop.
Book now
Further information
Complimentary tea and coffee will be available to enjoy during the talk. We recommend arriving before the start of the talk if you would like to grab a refreshment.
Sales from tickets help support our work to deliver fun and accessible family activities, community engagement projects, schools workshops, exhibitions and special events for Oxford’s people in our Museum spaces.
A freelance writer and broadcaster, Tim Healey has presented many programmes on BBC 3 and BBC 4. He is also director of the 17th-century costume band, the Oxford Waits. In researching material for the band’s Christmas shows he acquired a lasting fascination with the subject.
Access
There is step-free, level entry access to the Town Hall via the entrance closest to Carfax Tower (to the left of the main steps as you face the Town Hall). Inside the Museum, Museum Makers is accessible via a platform lift to the Galleries and then a lift to the basement.
Accessible toilets are available in the Museum (close to Museum Makers) and in the Town Hall on the ground floor, before entering the Museum. Please contact the Museum team if you’d like to talk to a member of staff about your access requirements. Further access information can be found on our page dedicated to access at the museum.
Photo consent
Please be aware that photographs will be taken at this event for use in marketing. If you (or a member of your group) would prefer not to be photographed, please let a member of staff know during the event.
