Travel back in time for the most highly anticipated jolt of Christmas spirit in the Bay Area, The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party. For over five weekends from Nov. 18-Dec. 17, you can explore Victorian England through the re-creation of the London of Charles Dickens’s novels, complete with laughter, mirth and merriment. Here are five guaranteed ways to have fun at this years The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party:

Entertainment

Applaud and cheer for the astounding Christmas pantomime, upon one of seven stages at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party! Photo credit: Beppe Sabatini

Visitors will revel with delight at the musicians, dancers and street entertainers. Soak up the festive atmosphere and enjoy the entertainment as you negotiate the festive streets. Keep your eyes out for the multitude of characters that spring to life from the pages of Mr. Dickens' novels - Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, David Copperfield and Nicholas Nickelby. You might catch Oliver Twist and Nancy mingling with colorful street characters of the period along with roving chimney sweeps, musicians, carolers, music hall performers, saucy sailors, The Three Spirits, Father Christmas and Her Royal Highness. There are over 800 costumed players to entertain you at The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party!

Shopping

Shop for one-of-a-kind treasures at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair, including a wide selection of unique clothing and accessories. Photo credit: Rich Yee

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party offers a fantastic festive shopping experience, with a traditional Christmas Market and all the shops brimming with unique Christmas gift ideas. Browse the stalls and meet colourful characters dressed in authentic period costume, selling everything from traditional decorations, handmade gifts, candles, jewelry and cards. There’s no shortage of things to buy for even the most cold-hearted Scrooge-like misers.

Food & Spirits

Treat yourself at Mr. Brown's Fine Coffee and Tea, one of many eateries offering delectable savories and sweets at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair. Photo credit: Rich Yee

When you have worked up an appetite, you will be spoilt for choice with the delicious food served by the pubs, cafes, hotels and stalls. Try the roasted organic chestnuts, served hot in traditional paper cones. Delicious and nutritious - helps to stave off scurvy! Or let your nose guide you to Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, Cornish pasties, Shepherd and Cottage pies, scones, tea sandwiches and delightful desserts in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Victorian London.

It's Jolly Good Fun

Participatory theater and variety acts are just some of the endless amusements at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair. Photo credit: Robin Fadtke

Get ready to kick up your feet at Fezziwig’s Warehouse with reels, jigs and waltzes! When the musicians pause join in a lively round of "Wink" or other Victorian parlour games. At the Silk Road Stage rub shoulders with all classes in English country dances polkas and waltzes then sing along to some sea chanties at Mad Sal’s Dockside Ale House!

Ways to Give and Save

Father Christmas holds forth daily on the Father Christmas Stage, inviting all good children to join him for a lasting holiday photo memento. Photo credit: Rich Yee

Bah Humbug! I suppose you want to be a Scrooge and get a special discount. You're in luck!

Fireman's Toy Drive: Daly City Fire Department's "Operation Santa Claus":
Bring an unwrapped NEW toy to the Fair box office and receive a $3 discount off one adult ticket! Toys will be given to the Daly City Fire Department's "Operation Santa Claus" toy drive, now in its 68th year of bringing holiday cheer to Daly City/Colma/Broadmoor families.

Active Military: 1st & 2nd Weekends Free Admission:
Active Military personnel will receive FREE Admission on First and Second Weekends!
(November 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 only; photo I.D. required.) See website for details.

The Scrooge Special (Twilight Ticket offer, available only at box office):
Adult Twilight Tickets, available after 3pm: $18.00
Child Twilight Tickets, available after 3pm: $10.00
A great excuse to visit the Dickens Fair for a second time for shopping, dinner or a show!
Children (5-12 years old) will receive FREE admission on "Kids Free Sunday" - November 26. Children under five are always free.

Plunge into the magical and evocative world of a Dickensian Christmas and get ready to be treated to a glorious array of sights, tastes and smells from a bygone era. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party which runs over five weekends Nov. 18-Dec. 17, 10AM-7 PM including the Friday after Thanksgiving exemplifies the perfect Christmas experience that the whole family will enjoy. Even Scrooge couldn’t fail to be impressed!

All tickets are Select-Day. Visit dickensfair.com to reserve your day at the Fair!
General Admission (13+): $30.00
Children ages 5-12: $14.00
Children under 5: Free
Group Tickets: For groups of 20 or more, contact tickets@gggrouptickets.com,
415-668-0525
Parking $12 (charged by the Cow Palace).

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit www.dickensfair.com.