Dickens on The STRAND
returns to historic Galveston Island Dec. 2-4
Galveston’s famous Victorian holiday festival, the 43rd annual Dickens on The Strand, will be held Dec. 2-4. The holiday tradition has great family programming, including newly created events specifically for youth.
“Each year Dickens on The Strand brings a festive spirit to the beginnings of our holidays,” said Dwayne Jones, GHF executive director. “Now for more than 40 years, Dickens enlivens the streets and introduces thousands of visitors to the ambience of the Victorian era. Children and adults alike can retreat back to the day of Charles Dickens and the early decades of historic Galveston.”
Based on 19th-century Victorian London, the annual holiday street festival features parades, nonstop entertainment on seven stages, strolling carolers, roving musicians, bagpipers, jugglers and a host of other entertainers. Costumed vendors peddle their wares from street stalls and rolling carts laden with holiday food and drink, Victorian-inspired crafts, clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations and gift items.
Two descendants of Charles Dickens once again will grace the festival as GHF welcomes Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, great-great-greatgranddaughter of Dickens, and Jane Dickens Monk, his great-great-granddaughter. Both women will be at numerous events throughout the weekend.
“Spending the first weekend of December in Texas has become the highlight of my Dickensian calendar. I’m really looking forward to returning to Dickens on The Strand this year and to seeing all the familiar faces and meeting friends again,” said Dickens Hawksley. “I am looking forward to working on children’s events again this year, as well as to the parades and book signings.”
Dickens Monk said, “This is my fifth year at Dickens on The Strand and I’m just as excited about it as the first time I attended. There always seem to be new events to see and do. Coming from the UK, I always keep my fingers crossed for some wonderful Texas weather for the weekend of Dickens. I look forward to seeing everyone there.”
Ticket prices
Tickets purchased before Dec. 2 are $13 for adults and $7 for children ages 7-12. Tickets purchased at the gate are $15 for adults and $9 for youth. Discounted tickets for Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) members are available for $10 in advance or $12 at the gate.
Tickets are available online atwww.dic ken son the strand. org, by calling 409-765-7834 or at area Randall’s stores. Attendees in Victorian costume are admitted for $8.
NEW IN 2016 A Grand Strand
Soiree: Featuring specialty acts, performers and a curated food and drink menu, this new kickoff to the annual festival will be held in Hendley Green on Friday evening, Dec. 2. Attendees will enjoy live music by Houston’s Two Star Symphony, a special aerial acrobatic performance by Cirque La Vie, and appearances by Dickens Hawksley, James Beard award-winning author Robb Walsh and cocktail historian Elizabeth Pearce. Tickets are $75 and reservations are required. Breakfast with Dickens: Charles Dickens’ greatgreat-grand-daughter Dickens Monk isn’t just coming to this year’s event to take in the sights and share her heritage, she’s also there to cook a traditional English breakfast. Join her and Chef Mary Bass, Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen runner up, at the beautiful 1859 Ashton Villa on Saturday, Dec. 3, or Sunday, Dec. 4. Tickets are $60 and reservations are required.
Complimentary Book and Dickens Writing
Workshop: Dickens Hawksley will lead a special writing workshop, “What It Was Like to be a Child in Dickens’ Time,” each day of the festival for youth ages 8 and up. Also, through a special grant by the Alice Taylor Gray Foundation, the first 3,000 youth that enter the festival grounds will receive a special print edition of Charles Dickens’ 1838 “Oliver Twist.”
Dickens costume con
test: This new addition to the popular costume contests puts the focus squarely on the beloved characters from Dickens’ literary works. Held on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m., registrations will be open for individual and family costumes. Registration is $10 for individuals and $15 for families and interested competitors can sign up at the costume contest booth.
Book releases: Both visiting Dickens descendants, Dickens Hawksley and Dick- ens Monk, will be arriving with the premier of their new books. Special book signings will be held both days of the festival.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The festival weekend also hosts events such as the crowd favorite Whimsical Whisker Revue, a facial hair contest for the bearded and the dandy; the Dickens Victorian Bed Races; Victorian Costume Contest and daily parades through Galveston’s National Historic Landmark Strand District.
In addition, special events are planned for all days of the event, including the Salute to Sunset aboard the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa as The Texas Seaport Museum transforms to a London wharf for this toast to the end of the day and beginning of the evening. The Tall Ship Elissa welcomes visitor aboard Saturday, Dec. 3, at 4:30 p.m. for heavy appetizers, cocktails, cannon fire and special guests leading up to Saturday night’s Pickwicks’ Lanternlight Parade. Tickets are $50 per person and reservations are required. Holiday Handbell Concerts: The 1859 St. Joseph’s Church, the state’s first wooden-built church that is known for its exceptional acoustics, hosts three holiday hand bell concert on Friday, Dec. 2, at 5:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person and reservations are required. Saint Arnold’s tours: Learn about the history of The Strand and enjoy some of Saint Arnold Brewing Company’s signature ales during this new tour. Held twice a day during Dickens on The Strand, visit three festival pubs as you walk through the National Historic Landmark district with a guide. Tickets are $35 per person and include three complimentary beers. Advance registration encouraged.
“Now for more than 40 years, Dickens enlivens the streets and introduces thousands of visitors to the ambience of the Victorian era.” – Dwayne Jones, GHF executive director