Step into Christmas* and into Griffin Books after hours for an evening of pure festive entertainment with comedian and author Marc Burrows.

In his book, The Story of the Christmas No.1: Mistletoe and Vinyl, Marc explores the peculiarly British cultural phenomenon of the Christmas single’s chart. The festive top spot was something that, prior to 1973, wasn’t particularly important but has since become a cornerstone of the December news cycle and, for years, an annual cultural moment. This new edition of the book (updated for autumn 2026) includes a foreward from Phil Jupitus and the full story of Kylie Minogue’s triumphant 2025 Christmas No 1!

This is going to be a Griffin Books event like no other, book your tickets today and join us for the best Christmas party you’ll attend this year!

The Story of the Christmas No.1: Mistletoe and Vinyl is the story of a national obsession: the annual race for the festive chart crown, and what it reveals about British culture, identity, and the ever-changing music industry. From The Beatles to glam rock, from Do They Know It’s Christmas? to reality-TV winners, novelty records, charity campaigns and viral streaming sensations, Marc Burrows uncovers the fascinating, funny and occasionally absurd stories behind the songs we love—and love to argue about.

Packed with chart battles, cultural curiosities, festive controversies and enough music trivia to fill Santa’s sack, this updated edition brings the story of Britain’s most peculiar annual sporting event bang up to date.

Marc Burrows is an award-winning author, comedian and musician, currently residing in Bristol. His 2020 biography of Sir Terry Pratchett won the Locus Award for best non-fiction and became the basis for a stand-up show that received rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe and has toured extensively across the UK. His second book, The London Boys, explored 1960s London through the lives of the teenage David Bowie and Marc Bolan. He writes regularly for The Independent, Big Issue, The New Statesmen and many more and is working on a new stand-up show.

All tickets include a drink on arrival.

*Step into Christmas was sadly not a Christmas No 1!

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Monday 14 December | 7.30 pm
Griffin Books, 9A Windsor Road, Penarth, CF64 1JB*
Tickets: £20.00 Event Ticket with a SIGNED copy of The Story of Christmas No.1 (RRP: £14.99)** / £10.00 Event Only*** / £5.00 Student Ticket / £5.00 Inclusive Ticket

*IMPORTANT: Please be aware that the toilet at Griffin Books can only be accessed via three steps and so is not accessible for wheelchair users or people with mobility issues. Please contact us on info@griffinbooks.co.uk if this would prohibit you from attending.

**Any book not collected at the event will be held in Griffin Books for three months after the date of the event.
***There are a limited number of Event Only, Inclusive and Student tickets available.