A Dickens Of A Time: 10 Charles Dickens Festivals For The Holidays
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Beloved around the world for his tales both heartwarming and harrowing, with a penchant for pulling heartstrings and issuing sharp social criticism in the same stroke of the pen, Charles Dickens is almost as synonymous with Victorian England as Queen Victoria herself. And thanks to the ongoing success of his classic 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, in some ways he has become synonymous with the festive holidays as well. That explains why these communities deck the halls each year by donning top hats and hoop skirts, and throwing a Victorian-themed bash that even Ebenezer Scrooge couldn’t begrudge… [Photo: Clem Rutter]
A Dickens Of A Time: 10 Charles Dickens Festivals For The Holidays.
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The Dickensian Christmas in Rochester, England – What better place to celebrate a Dickensian Christmas than in the land that gave us the writer himself? During the first full weekend of December, the town of Rochester (about an hour southeast of London) winds back the clock to 1850 with parades, costumed characters, open-air Christmas carol concerts, a Mistletoe Ball and even a Christmas Market in the historic town centre. Can’t get enough of those Victorian vibes? Come back for Rochester’s even bigger Dickens festival during the summer, or check out the Dickens celebrations in Broadstairs, on the coast about an hour east of Rochester.
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A Dickens Of A Time: 10 Charles Dickens Festivals For The Holidays.
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Dickens Festival in Deventer, Netherlands – It may be an unlikely destination, but the Dutch city of Deventer is crazy about all things Dickens, and is home to one of the world’s largest festivals carrying his name. Held from 14-15 December in 2019, the city’s Dickens Festival transports visitors to the 19th century, complete with more than 950 characters from Dickens’ most famous tales roaming the streets. You’ll meet Scrooge, Marley and Tiny Tim, and of course Oliver Twist and Mr. Pickwick – but beware the thieves and ne’er-do-wells lurking about. Indulge in spiced punch and roasted chestnuts, listen to the carollers and orchestra ensembles, enjoy the lights and Christmas trees, as well as the period-authentic window displays in the houses and shops that set the scene. But above all, don’t miss the Christmas market that takes over the main square on Sunday.
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A Dickens Of A Time: 10 Charles Dickens Festivals For The Holidays.
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Holly Dickens Festival in Holly, Michigan, US – Perhaps it’s the enduring legacy of Dickens’ writings, the authenticity of his characters, or the American preoccupation with all things charmingly British – whatever the reason, most of the world’s Dickens festivals take place in the USA. Holly, a village about an hour outside of Detroit, holds the distinction of hosting America’s oldest and longest-running Dickensian event. The festival is spread across three weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas (late November to mid-December), with highlights including the traditional Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, a parade in Holly’s historic downtown, and the grand Fezziwig’s Ball. If you’re in need of some Victorian duds to complete your look, check out the Dickens Holly Shoppe that pops up every year. [Photo: Holly Dickens Festival via Facebook]
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A Dickens Of A Time: 10 Charles Dickens Festivals For The Holidays.
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Dickens Village Festival in Garrison, North Dakota, US – Michigan winters not quite chilly enough for you? Head north – and then keep going – until you arrive in Garrison. The so-called “Christmas Capital of North Dakota” is in rare form during the first 3 weekends of December, with an impressive array of events and attractions – from top-hat decorating, parades, strolling Dickens characters and horse-drawn carriages, to a craft vendor fair, wine and cheese tours, a quilt show, English High Tea and live performances of A Christmas Carol. And don’t worry about rushing from one event to the next – just hop aboard the festival’s vintage double-decker bus, Queen Elizabus. [Photo: Dickens Village Festival via Facebook]
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A Dickens Of A Time: 10 Charles Dickens Festivals For The Holidays.
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Dickens Village Festival in Carlyle, Saskatchewan, Canada – Purportedly inspired by the festivities in Garrison, the small town of Carlyle (about an hour north of the US-Canadian border) throws its own Dickensian bash each year on the first weekend in December. Carlyle’s festival is a truly local affair: not only is it run by volunteers and funded entirely from the proceeds of the community’s biannual Dickens Sale of donated items, but funds raised at the festival go to local initiatives, like renovating the community theatre. Highlights of the event include High Tea, free horse-drawn carriage rides, a rock-and-roll-themed adaptation of A Christmas Carol, and the pop-up Fezziwig’s Family Pub serving up food, drink and free live music. [Photos: Dickens Village Festivalvia Facebook]
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A Dickens Of A Time: 10 Charles Dickens Festivals For The Holidays.
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The Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco, California, US – Better known for its legendary Pride Parade and music festival scene, San Francisco, as it happens, also has a soft spot for the master of Victorian tales. Unlike the other events on this list, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair takes place entirely indoors in the Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, which – in true Californian fashion – boasts incredible production quality; it’s like stepping onto the set of A Christmas Carol movie remake. Explore the functioning pubs, shops and tea rooms, mingle with characters from Dickens’ tales and times, and take in all manner of performances from Irish dance to opera, carolling, theatre and live book readings. Little visitors can watch traditional Punch & Judy shows, stop by Mr. Fezziwig’s Warehouse for dances and parlour games, and even delight in meeting Queen Victoria herself!
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A Dickens Of A Time: 10 Charles Dickens Festivals For The Holidays.
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Dickens in the Village in Asheville, North Carolina, US – Set in the historic Biltmore Village, against a backdrop of the rolling Appalachian Mountains, Asheville’s annual Dickens fest gets extra points for ambience. As they stroll along, visitors will encounter carollers, characters and musicians – all dressed up in Victorian garb – and can pop into the Village stores peddling everything from local handicrafts to high-end trinkets. Savour some roasted chestnuts, hail a horse-drawn carriage, and soak up the winter mountain atmosphere.
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A Dickens Of A Time: 10 Charles Dickens Festivals For The Holidays.
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Dickens of a Christmas in Spartanburg, South Carolina, US – About an hour south of Asheville, the city of Spartanburg throws its own downtown Dickensian event on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving (3 December in 2019), marking the official start of the Christmas season. Annual highlights include carolling, carriage rides, street performers, festive live music, a Christmas market, ice skating on historic Morgan Square, and “living window displays” in which locals and actors present charming Christmas scenes. Be sure to grab a mug of hot chocolate and nab a front-row spot to watch the lighting of the city’s enormous Christmas tree.
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A Dickens Of A Time: 10 Charles Dickens Festivals For The Holidays.
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Dickens on Centre on Amelia Island, Florida, US – Sun, sand, sea and …Christmas trees? This barrier island normally known for its luxury resorts and palm-lined beaches becomes a yuletide wonderland from 13-15 December. From costumed carollers to themed shops, visits by Saint Nick and readings of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, this festival covers all the holiday bases, plus a few creative additions like Tiny Tim’s Kids Zone, the lantern-lit Victorian parade and ‘Dickens After Dark’, a VIP party complete with ghost tour, specialty entertainment and plenty of food and drink.
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A Dickens Of A Time: 10 Charles Dickens Festivals For The Holidays.
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Dickens on the Strand in Galveston, Texas, US – There’s something to be said about seaside yuletide vibes; located on the Gulf Coast of Texas, Galveston has been hosting its annual Dickens bash since 1973, when it began as an initiative to save the city’s historic 19th-century downtown from demolition. 46 years later, it’s one of the biggest Dickens festivals in the world, with one of the most inspired schedules of events; enjoy Morning Tea on the 142-year-old tall ship Elissa, attend the Queen’s Feast banquet, take in special Dickens After Dark performances, catch holiday handbell concerts, and don’t miss the Victorian bed race. When else will you get to watch people dressed in 19th-century costumes racing actual beds through the city streets?
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A Dickens Of A Time: 10 Charles Dickens Festivals For The Holidays.
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Charles Dickens Tours in London, England – One would expect the city that plays so prominent a role in Charles Dickens’ writings to host the biggest and best annual tribute the author. One would be wrong. Though there are no dedicated Dickens festivals to be found in London, it’s still possible to channel the great writer by walking in his footsteps. Loads of Charles Dickens walking tours are available from various London companies, such as this one that offers everything from Dickens pub walks to Dickens ghost walks, Dickens walks in costume and, of course, walks based on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
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