Dickens on The Strand returns Dec. 1-3 to Galveston Island
The 44th annual festival Dickens on The Strand, Galveston’s famous Victorian holiday festival, will be held Dec. 1-3. Produced by Galveston Historical Foundation, it is a holiday tradition with family programming, special holiday performances and newly created events all weekend long.
This year’s festival begins Friday, Dec. 1, with free admission to Fezziwig’s Beer Hall from 5-9 p.m. and continues with ticketed admission Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3, from noon to 6 p.m.
“Our 2017 Dickens on The Strand promises to be a welcomed celebration away from the events of the early fall,” said GHF Executive Director Dwayne Jones. “With renewed interest and focus on Charles Dickens, we hope to inform visitors more about this great writer, but also to have a lot of fun. Visitors of all ages will be met with street entertainers, musicians, and special events to kick off our holiday season on the Gulf Coast. Whether you have been to Dickens before or it’s your first time, the annual holiday festival will bring cheer and delight to the entire family. Join us again as we return to the historic downtown Strand and celebrate our holiday amidst Galveston’s great architecture and heritage.”
The annual holiday street festival, based on 19thcentury Victorian London, features parades, entertainment on multiple 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.
Three descendants of Charles Dickens will grace the festival as GHF welcomes Mark Charles Dickens, a great-great-grandson; Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, a great-great-great-granddaughter; and Jane Dickens Monk, a great-great-granddaughter. All descendants will be at numerous events throughout the weekend.
New this year » A Dickens Soiree at the 1892 Bishop’s Palace
Featuring specialty acts, award-winning performers and carefully curated food and drink options, this new kickoff to the annual festival will be held at the 1892 Bishop’s Palace on Friday, Dec. 1. Attendees will enjoy live music by Houston’s Two Star Symphony, a special acrobatics presentation by Cirque La Vie, and appearances by special guests including a reading by Mark Charles Dickens, great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens. Tickets are $75 and reservations are required.
» Dickens costume contest
This new addition to the popular costume contests puts the focus on the characters from Dickens’ literary works. Held on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m., and judged by the visiting Dickens descendants. Registration will be open for individual and family costumes. Registration is $10 for individuals and $15 for families. Interested competitors can sign up at the costume contest booth.
» Saturday night showing of “The Muppet Christmas Carol”
This year’s Dickens on The Strand guests can catch a free showing of “The Muppet Christmas Carol” on Saturday night. Free for all attendees, the holiday classic will show at 7:30 p.m. The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Other Muppets — Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and Sam the Eagle — weave in and out of the story, while Scrooge receives visits from spirits of three Christmases — past, present and future. They show him the error of his self-serving ways, but the miserable old man seems to be past any hope of redemption and happiness.
Admission
Tickets purchased before Dec. 1 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 GHF members are available for $10 in advance or $12 at the gate. Tickets are available online at www.dickensonthestrand.org, by calling 409-765-7834 or at all area Randall’s stores (began Nov. 5). Attendees in Victorian costume will be admitted for $8.
Further details
For more information about Dickens on The Strand, Galveston Historical Foundation, or to purchase advance tickets, visit www.galvestonhistory.org or call 409-765-7834. For more festival information, contact Will Wright, director of Communications and Special Events at 409-765-3404 or will.wright@galvestonhistory.org.