The Christmas Lecture

Unwrap the Magic of Science at the Christmas Lecture

Modeled after the Royal Institution’s Christmas Lecture series, the College of Science invites a world-renowned scientist to Notre Dame to present a lecture that will inspire general audiences—from age 5 to 105—with the curiosity and wonder of scientific inquiry. Past Christmas Lecture guests include Tatiana Erukhimova, Michelle Thaller, Kate the Chemist, and more.

The 2026 Christmas Lecture with Marcus du Sautoy will be held on Saturday, December 12, at the Century Center in South Bend

2026 Christmas Lecture Details

Past Christmas Lectures

2025 | Tatiana Erukimova, Schilling Endowed Chair for Physics Outreach at Texas A&M University

Watch the 2025 Lecture

2024 | Michelle Thaller, former Assistant Director for Science Communication at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Watch the 2024 Lecture

2023 | Kate Biberdorf, professor for the public understanding of Science at Notre Dame

Watch the 2023 Lecture

2022 | Jordan Ellenberg, New York Times bestselling author and professor of mathematics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison

Watch the 2022 Lecture

2021 | Greg Gage, co-founder and CEO of Backyard Brains

Watch the 2021 Lecture