Join us for a very special evening celebrating Jane Austen in words and objects…

We’ll begin with drinks in the Historic Kitchen – join us for warming mulled wine and mince pies – festive treats that we know Jane enjoyed – and a toast to our favourite authoress, just days before her 250^th birthday!

Moving into the House, we’ll examine a number of very special objects from the museum collection up close, under the expert guidance of our collections team. Gather round to see objects that reveal stories of Jane’s birthday and of Christmas – including first editions of her novels, a holograph letter that she wrote in December 1815, a letter written by her mother in which her pregnancy with Jane is mentioned, and a sketch of Steventon Rectory – Jane’s birthplace and childhood home.

We’ll then move into the Drawing Room, where Jane read her novels aloud to her own family circle, and enjoy a series of lively readings by actors Hollie Hales and Adam Cunis – bringing Jane Austen’s words and characters to life. We’ll hear from Jane’s personal letters, recounting scenes from her own family Christmases, and enjoy festive episodes from her novels – from the Christmas Eve dinner party in Emma to the Musgrove’s old-fashioned Christmas revelry in Persuasion.

As a master of dialogue, Jane Austen’s works are best enjoyed out loud, and this delightful performance will bring the characters alive in the very room in which Jane gave voice to them herself.

You’ll leave aglow with festive cheer and some Christmas treats to take away with you and enjoy at home.

Details:
Date: Saturday 13 December
Performance times: 5.30 – 7.30pm
Location: This event is at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. Find us
Tickets: £55

Tickets for this event are still available as part of the Full Day Pass: Saturday 13 December – find out more

☕ This event includes refreshments, please let us know on booking if you have any dietary requirements.

🎉 This event is part of our Jane Austen Birthday Celebration, running from 12 – 16 December 2025

About the performers:

Hollie Hales trained at RADA. Her recent audio work includes Tales of a Monstrous Heart by Jennifer Delaney, Bookishly Ever After by Mia Page (Audible) and Charles Dickens: A Brain on Fire “The Gordon Riots” podcast.

Adam Cunis’s recent work includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bridge Theatre), Macbeth Storytelling (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse) and The Woman in the Moon (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse).