Horrible Histories – Horrible Christmas

 HORRIBLE CHRISTMAS is the story of how Christmas came to be what it is today.  There are an awful lot of traditions at Christmas time, but most of us have no idea why we do them or where they came from. Horrible Histories takes the audience on a journey through history covering the pivotal moments that created Christmas as we know it.

For example, the show goes to Charles Dickens’ house to see him having the idea for A Christmas Carol. It goes back to the Puritan times when they banned Christmas, then fast forward to Charles II to see him restore it. In Tudor times, we find out that Henry VIII championed the eating of turkey, and if you’ve ever wondered why we exchange presents at Christmas, you’ll discover that we have Saint Nicholas to thank for that. We even end up back in Bethlehem, where it all started.

There are so many great facts along the way. Can you believe that the Puritans – who really didn’t like Christmas because they thought it was blasphemous – banned mince pies?! We also find out that Henry VIII ordered people not to play games on Christmas Day. The only games you were allowed to enjoy were archery, and leaping and vaulting.

There are lots of pantomime elements – there’s a Christmas sing along and it’s full of jokes and songs. It’s got a lot of the fun elements you’d expect from a Christmas show. But because it’s the story of Christmas, it is the quintessential Christmas show. You’re hearing the story of Christmas and you’re meeting these extraordinary historic characters through the hilarious lens of Horrible Histories.

Horrible Histories – Horrible Christmas will be at Alexandra Palace Theatre from 12 December to 4 January 2025. Tickets from £17.50 To book your please visit horriblechristmas.uk.