This November, award-winning author, comedian, and musician Marc Burrows is coming to Blackwell’s Edinburgh to explore a uniquely British obsession: the annual race for the Christmas No. 1 single. The event, on Wednesday, 26th November, will launch his new book, The Story of the Christmas No. 1: Mistletoe & Vinyl.
Burrows, whose biography The Magic of Terry Pratchett was previously featured on Edinburgh Reviews, now turns his attention to the festive charts. From The Beatles and glam rock giants to Band Aid, The X-Factor, and even charity sausage rolls, the Christmas No. 1 has long been a cornerstone of the British festive season. In his new book, Burrows takes a witty and deeply researched journey through this pop culture phenomenon.
Mistletoe & Vinyl uncovers the stories behind the songs we love (and loathe), tracing the tradition’s rise from a chart-based afterthought to a national obsession. Through interviews, social history, and his trademark humour, Burrows examines why we care so much and asks whether the tradition can survive in the modern streaming era. Phil Jupitus, in the book’s foreword, calls it “an essential guide for those of us who hate or indeed love this annual struggle for artistic commercial dominance.β
The event is part of a wider UK tour that combines stand-up comedy, readings, and book signings, offering a perfect night out for music lovers and pop culture fanatics as the festive season gets underway.
Event Details
- What: Marc Burrows: The Story of the Christmas No.1
- When: Wednesday, 26th November 2025, 7:00 PM
- Where: Blackwell’s Bookshop, 53-62 South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1YS
- Tickets: Available via Eventbrite
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