The unclued lights consist of seven themed categories A to G (with G being interpreted very loosely) which are highlighted in yellow in the grid. Each themed category leads to six unclued theme words A to F, one of two words and another hyphened.

Across

11    Bishop always upset item in bar (5)

13    Drink Church of Scotland finally banned (3)

16    Knight upset silver hay-cart (6)

18    Friends from abroad three-quarters down the list. That’s wrong (5)

20    Walk in west and east parts of Paris (4)

26    After parking drink in enclosed area (4)

29    Corrie character not born in France taking extra time (4)

30    Seabird seen during the pm? (4)

31    Features of new campsites I’m leaving (7)

32    Capital of Czechoslovakia? (4)

33    Pool equipment, extremely tacky (5)

34    See 53 Across

36    Admiral at Mass by Haydn in NZ city (6)

38    Unusual gains about former republic’s currency (8)

44    Fossil fuel that’s piped in swapped (3-4)

46    Old Greek coin, one affirms (6)

48    51 produced acrylic fibre (6)

51    Unsure a gangster is holding the president (6)

53/34    Sporting contest opening shortly in holiday area (5-1-4)

54    One very unusual stunted tree (4)

56    Girl’s saving scheme with pound invested (4)

58    Copy in bed (4)

59    Relish appearance in quizzes tonight (4)

61    Asian, after kick-off, sped round European (6)

62    Oddly, no name in Rannoch Moor (6)

63    Stores – huge numbers broadcast (6)

67    Garter, maybe, such as held by count, returning (6)

68    The last link in the chain! (3,4)

69    We’d left talcum powder around a prestigious hotel’s atrium (4,5)

71    I announced borders of county a lovely thing to see (3,5)

73    Bustle coming from Braveheart party (3)

76    Keep quiet – it’s semi-confidential (4)

77    Slumber disturbed during month in abbey (10)

78    Waddington board game featuring Oz dog by higher education centre (8)

79    Annoy, batting lashes (6)

80    Could be Dancer in wet weather, my love, reportedly (8)

Down

1 Turkish hospice – it hides spirit (6)

2 British composer’s regular baldness (4)

3 Language of the order of the Thistle! (7)

4 Princess ruled India? (4)

5 Sandbank in the Thames Estuary or in Tyneside (4)

6 Gang of thirteen will stipulate worker has to leave (5)

7 Clergyman’s responsibility at capital hotel (6)

8 Rocks at the bar (3)

9 To know French right away, by Eastern département (6)

10    Design turned up in acrylic net stockings (7)

12    T.S. Eliot is cycling off over to privileged members (8)

14    Staff holding large twin crystal (5)

15    Warhammer god aboard foul rickshaw (5)

16    Scoff and carp, endlessly (4)

17    It’s no good admitting Chekhov to city on the River Hao (7)

19    Confirm 11 Latin changes (7)

21    Lady and I frolic during the winter (4,3)

22    Strange what a haircut reveals as Onandaga chief (8)

23    Mythological swimmer’s name in editorial (7)

24    Stops blowing top and relaxes (5)

25    Lover from the East End, on the phone (4)

27    Overturn at university close (5)

28    Note to Frenchman, former German Chancellor and artist (9)

35    Totally captivate English friend? (7)

37    Oddly no Tories are more disdainful (8)

39    Jumpers touched, we’re told, 8 before 51 (9)

40    Stroke of luck at the Ponderosa? (7)

41    Imitation table linen with no name (5)

42    Closely following cobbler’s work (7)

43    Reported killed in Fletcher’s prison (5)

45    Congressman’s Vauxhall model (7)

47    Bill and note for pair of drums (5)

49    Broad taking wicket at start of innings dismissed Elgar (4)

50    It’s the time when nobody fails to finish (4)

52    The niggler changed ‘Go’ signal (5,5)

55    Cockney tramps’ instruments (5)

57    Brother with one horse mentioned at fair by Delius (5)

58    English king conduct not even seen (4)

60    Stretch of river full of vessels (7)

64    Drunkard trips up in place of bishop, bristling? (6)

65    Come back again? (2-4)

66    3 in 1 – melody that’s going round state (6)

70    Primate’s signature on posh gown is turned over (4)

72    Some wide variety in Roman Chester (4)

74    Heartless scholar at spring grain harvest (4)

75    Mendips on and off reveal computing essential (3)

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A first prize of £100, three prizes of £25 and six further prizes of A History of Britain in Ten Enemies by Terry Deary (Penguin) will be awarded for the first correct solutions opened. The first four winners will each also receive a bottle of champagne. Email entries by 12 January to crosswords@spectator.co.uk, putting ‘Christmas Crossword’ in the subject field or post to: Christmas Crossword, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please include a phone number if possible.