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5.1 / 10(5 votes)IMDbFirst Aired: 196660 Seasons

Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

Series Overview

The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures are a series of lectures on a single topic, which have been held at the Royal Institution in London each year since 1825. The lectures present scientific subjects to a general audience, including young people, in an informative and entertaining manner. Michael Faraday initiated the first Christmas Lecture series in 1825. This came at a time when organised education for young people was scarce. Faraday presented a total of nineteen series in all.

Broadcast Schedule & Network Information

Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.

Returning SeriesIn ProductionDocumentary
Original Network
Channel 4
5
BBC Four
More4
BBC Two
Episodes & Seasons

60 Seasons • 125 Episodes

60 min per episode

Air Date Window

1966 – Present

Premiered: Tue, Jan 4, 1966

Created By

Creative Production Team

Latest Aired Episode

Aired: Tue, Dec 30, 2025

Season 60, Episode 3: “To the Stars and Beyond”

Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, with the help of the world’s most powerful telescope, ventures through the Milky Way and into the universe beyond, on the hunt for alien worlds.

Seasons & Episodes Breakdown

1966

0 Episodes →

1967

0 Episodes →

1968

0 Episodes →

1969

0 Episodes →

1970

0 Episodes →

1971

0 Episodes →

1972

0 Episodes →

1973: The Languages of Animals

6 Episodes →

1974

0 Episodes →

1975

0 Episodes →

1976

0 Episodes →

1977

6 Episodes →

1978: Mathematics into Pictures

6 Episodes →

1979

0 Episodes →

1980

0 Episodes →

1981

0 Episodes →

1982

0 Episodes →

1983

0 Episodes →

1984

0 Episodes →

1985: Communicating

0 Episodes →

1986

0 Episodes →

1987: Crystals and Lasers

0 Episodes →

1988

0 Episodes →

1989

0 Episodes →

1990

0 Episodes →

1991: Growing Up in the Universe

5 Episodes →

1992

0 Episodes →

1993: The Cosmic Onion

5 Episodes →

1994

0 Episodes →

1995: Planet Earth, An Explorer's Guide

5 Episodes →

1996: The History in our Bones

5 Episodes →

1997: The Magical Maze

0 Episodes →

1998: Staying Alive: The Body in Balance

5 Episodes →

1999: Arrow of Time

0 Episodes →

2000: Rise of the Robots

0 Episodes →

2001: The Secrets of Life

0 Episodes →

2002: Smart Stuff

0 Episodes →

2003: Voyage in Space and Time

6 Episodes →

2004: To the Ends of the Earth: Surviving Antarctic Extremes

3 Episodes →

2005: The Truth About Food

5 Episodes →

2006: The Num8er My5teries

5 Episodes →

2007: Back from the Brink, the Science of Survival

5 Episodes →

2008: Hi-tech Trek

5 Episodes →

2009: The 300-Million-Year War

5 Episodes →

2010: Size Matters

3 Episodes →

2011: Meet Your Brain

3 Episodes →

2012: The Modern Alchemist

3 Episodes →

2013: Life Fantastic

3 Episodes →

2014: Sparks Will Fly - How to Hack your Home

3 Episodes →

2015: How to Survive in Space

3 Episodes →

2016: Supercharged - Fuelling the Future

3 Episodes →

2017: The Language of Life

3 Episodes →

2018: Who Am I?

3 Episodes →

2019: Secrets & Lies - The Hidden Power of Maths

3 Episodes →

2020: Planet Earth: A User’s Guide

3 Episodes →

2021: Going Viral: How Covid Changed Science Forever

3 Episodes →

2022: Secrets of Forensic Science

3 Episodes →

2023: The Truth about AI

3 Episodes →

2024: The Truth About Food

3 Episodes →

2025: Is There Life Beyond Earth?

3 Episodes →

Official cinematic photography and background stills for Royal Institution Christmas Lectures.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.

What is Royal Institution Christmas Lectures about?

The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures are a series of lectures on a single topic, which have been held at the Royal Institution in London each year since 1825. The lectures present scientific subjects to a general audience, including young people, in an informative and entertaining manner. Michael Faraday initiated the first Christmas Lecture series in 1825. This came at a time when organised education for young people was scarce. Faraday presented a total of nineteen series in all.

How many seasons does Royal Institution Christmas Lectures have?

Royal Institution Christmas Lectures comprises 60 seasons available to explore.

Who stars in Royal Institution Christmas Lectures?

Key cast members in Royal Institution Christmas Lectures include Maggie Aderin-Pocock.

Who created or directed Royal Institution Christmas Lectures?

Royal Institution Christmas Lectures was developed and directed by Not specified.