The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party Celebrates its Ruby Jubilee!

5 Weekends Nov 23 - Dec 22, 2024

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party returns to the historic Cow Palace

Discover London at the historic Cow Palace Exhibition Halls! Enter the winding lanes of Victorian London and immerse yourself in a world of music halls, theatres, pubs, dance parties, and charming shops overflowing with hand-made holiday treasures. Enticing aromas of roasted chestnuts and hearty foods fill the air. Discover holiday revelry in this lamp-lit city brimming with hundreds of lively and colorful characters from the imagination of Charles Dickens, the pages of history, and the sometimes saucy world of the Victorian stage.

Join Us in 2024 for our 40th Season of Celebration, 5 weekends Nov. 23 – Dec. 22, from 10am to 6 pm. Ticket sales will begin Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

Shop, Play, & Feast in London

Entertainments, Delights & Diversions

Throughout the streets and stages, new theatrical works as well as traditional favorites will delight and entertain fairgoers young and old.  Step into the Christmas Eve Past of Ebenezer Scrooge's youth at Fezziwig's Christmas Party for games, music, and unhosted sets of dancing throughout the day. An all-new traditional Christmas pantomime The Tale of Puss In Boots will delight the younger set, while Jim Chiminey returns with a comedic tale that unfolds based on the audiences’ answers. And, of course, the Victorian lanes and shops will be filled with an ensemble of characters found in Charles Dickens’ works, along with the illustrious author himself hosting readings from his ‘new’ story A Christmas Carol.

Feast in London

The Dickens Fair’s delicious traditional fare and libations are back - including Fish & Chips, Bangers and Mash, and East Indian delicacies. Tea will be served with traditional English tea service, complete with finger sandwiches, scones, and cakes. New this year are delectable Scotch Eggs, and vegan and vegetarian food options. Takeaway items – perfect for seasonal gifting - include handmade chocolates, gourmet salts, English Christmas cakes and puddings, and specialty teas. After a day of shopping and entertainment, enjoy a pint at one of the Fair’s five English pubs, including an absinthe tasting at the Bohemian Absinthe Bar. 

The Sherlock Holmes Experience

An interactive quest throughout the streets of the Dickens Christmas Fair challenging guests to use cartography, clues, and keen observation. Sherlock Holmes needs your help! Once inside the Dickensian world of Victorian London, visitors can make their way to 221B Baker Street, found along Nickelby Road, to meet the eccentric detective Holmes or his loyal companion Dr. Watson and learn about the latest mystery. As fledgling detectives, guests will be given a map to follow clues through the streets of London, solve perplexing puzzles, and unravel malevolent misdeeds in a world of international intrigue and try to stop the nefarious villains before they strike and change the course of history. Visitors will return to 221B and decode the evidence to learn how the story ends; then check the results and find their place amongst the ranks at Scotland Yard. 

HOLIDAY MARKET

Come shop the winding lanes of Dickens' London, where you'll discover countless one-of-a-kind treasures. Whether searching for the perfect holiday present for friends and loved ones - or a Christmas treat or two for yourself - our quaint shops and bustling emporiums are sure to please.

AMUSEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair overflows with holiday magic for the youngest guests, offering hands-on craft activities, old-world games of skill and chance, and lively interactive shows. Back this year are Mr. Punch and his mischievous friends in the Punch & Judy puppet show, as well as The Bold Tailor, a Grimm’s Fairy Tale brought to life with young actors from the audience. For more hands-on fun, try the Dart Parlour, fencing lessons, or the hand-powered Adventure Carousel. Or build your own Fairy House to take home for the holidays.

Ice Skating & Christmas Tree Lot

Brand new to the Fair is Vauxhall Gardens, a skating rink (with rental skates) and Christmas tree lot with refreshments available. This pre-show area is free to the public (with $15 parking) and will feature a 2800 sq. ft. skating rink made of synthetic ice where unlimited skate time (including rental) is $12 and $6 for children ages 3-8.

Enjoy a day at the Dickens Fair and return home with a tree for your parlour! Vauxhall Gardens is located outside the gated area of the Fair, guests may enter with family or friends any Fair day to enjoy a hot spiced cider, take a twirl on the skating rink, and support Delancey Street with the purchase of a Christmas Tree. Vauxhall Gardens is open to the public every Fair day (no admission ticket required).

A CHILDREN’S TOUR OF LONDON

Follow this self-guided, delightful excursion highlighting the amazing amusements and amusing amazements found throughout London. Designed for our younger guests but any and all may wish to play along! Also found in The Illustrated London Chimes.