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

Brighton

Event
Official tickets via Fever
WHEN Wednesday 2 December
ADDRESS Brighthelm Centre, Brighton Directions

⭐ Step into the dark origins of Christmas, where your tickets unlock a night of ancient mysteries and festive tales.

Highlights

  • 🎤 Discover the ancient spiritual origins of European midwinter festivities
  • 🎭 Explore the shadowy figures of Christmas like fairies, demons, and witches
  • 📚 Learn about Twelfth Night's history and the Wild Hunt tradition
  • 💬 Engage with the speaker during an interactive Q&A session

General Info

  • 📅 Date: 2 December 2026
  • 🕒 Time: 7:00 PM
  • ⏱️ Duration: 2h 30min
  • 📍 Venue: Brighthelm Centre, Brighthelm Church & Community Centre, North Rd, Brighton BN1 1YD, UK
  • ♿ Accessibility: The venue is wheelchair accessible
  • 👤 Age requirement: This is an 18+ event

Description

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

It explores the ancient spiritual origins of Christmas, focusing on figures like demons, witches, and fairies, and the traditions of Twelfth Night and the Wild Hunt.

The event is on 2 December 2026, starting at 7:00 PM and lasting approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The event takes place at the Brighthelm Centre, located at Brighthelm Church & Community Centre, North Rd, Brighton BN1 1YD.

The event runs for 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Yes, the Brighthelm Centre is accessible, but it's best to check the website for detailed accessibility information.

Yes, there is an interactive Q&A session where the speaker engages with the audience.

The event covers Twelfth Night's history and its connections to European midwinter festivities and folklore like the Wild Hunt.

It is recommended to buy tickets in advance to secure your place; check the event website for ticket availability.

The event is suitable for anyone interested in folklore, history, and the darker aspects of traditional Christmas celebrations in Europe.

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