S5 Ep8: Christmas in Antarctica

S5 Ep8: Christmas in Antarctica

From Iceworld by British Antarctic Survey

December 22, 2025 · 29 min · Season 5 · Episode 8

About this episode

The episode explores unique Christmas traditions in Antarctica with guests from Halley research station.

What could be more festive than a white Christmas at the bottom of the world? In this special Christmas episode of ICEWORLD, Nadia is joined by two guests from Halley, Station Doctor Dani Hawarden and Station Leader Dan McKenzie. Together, they discuss what makes an Antarctic Christmas unique, from the elaborate homemade Secret Santa gifts, to the 7km Christmas morning run (that particular tradition can definitely stay in Antarctica!). For Dan, this marks his fifth Christmas in Antarctica, spent across three different research stations whereas for Dani, it’s her first Antarctic Christmas! Tune in to discover how the team at Halley create their own festive traditions at the bottom of the world. --- Welcome to Antarctica. What's it like living and working in one of the most extreme environments in the world? From polar scientists to plumbers, ICEWORLD is a series of interviews with ordinary people who are doing extraordinary jobs in Antarctica. The team talk climate science, extreme living, expeditions and becoming a community. A podcast from British Antarctic Survey, hosted and recorded by marine biologist Nadia Frontier. Produced in partnership with Boffin Media; cover photo by…

People in this episode

Hosts: Nadia Frontier, Nadia

Guests: Dani Hawarden, Dan McKenzie

Topics covered

  • Christmas
  • Antarctica
  • traditions
  • research stations

Keywords

  • Halley
  • Secret Santa
  • Christmas morning run

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: ICEWORLD

Places: Antarctica

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