3T Events: End of Year Celebration (in person)

Join us at The Women’s College for this special end of year celebratory 3T event. The event will include an informative presentation from Dr James Lancaster titled "An Unexpected History of Christmas”, followed by a buffet lunch.

Christmas is the time of year when we gather with friends and family. It is a time to feast and a time to be merry, a time to exchange gifts and a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. But it hasn’t always been. Until the nineteenth century, Christmas was a time for drunkenness and debauchery, a ‘carnival’ of drink, cross-dressing, and lust during which Christians were unshackled from the ethical norms expected of them the rest of the year. Such behaviour would be shocking today and was, indeed, frowned upon by priests, presbyters, and prelates alike. The holly, the ivy, the Yule log, the candles, even the Christmas tree – all were pagan traditions. But Christian authorities tolerated them because, unlike the revelry, they were at least harmless! Come and learn about the unexpected history of Christmas at this year’s 3T December lunch.

Meet the Presenter – Dr James Lancaster 

Dr James Lancaster is presently a Lecturer in Studies in Western Religious Traditions in the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, as well as the Editor (special issues) of Intellectual History Review. Previously, he was a UQ Research Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the University of Queensland.

Transport and Parking

Public Transport

The Women’s College is a short (350m) walk from UQ Lakes Bus Station. Alternatively, it is a one kilometre walk from Chancellor's Place Bus Station.

Parking at The Women’s College

Parking is available at The Women's College free of charge for this event. Please enter the carpark through the open boom gate and park in The Women's College carpark.