Dickens Fair returns, with alterations
In a year when life still feels upside down, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair has decided to turn itself inside out.
The annual Victorian-themed holiday extravaganza, which reverted to an all-virtual “Dickens Fair at Home” in 2020for the first time in its 50-plus-year history, is returning in triumph to the Cow Palace in San Francisco, staging many of its events in the venue’s expansive parking lot for a version we’ll experience in our cars.
Dubbed “Drive Thru Dickens’ London,” the fair runs weekends Saturday through Dec. 19, with attendees in cars traversing the grounds while taking in the sights of Victorian street scenes, enjoying live entertainment on two stages and ordering a variety of food and drinks from the era.
Those who are familiar with the fair will recognize
some of the boisterous dance, comedy and music acts in continuous rotation on a Covent Garden stage, with ample parking providing good views. The Paddy West Singing Sailors will be bellowing out their sea chanteys as usual, the Victorian Bobbies will be swinging their nightsticks and the London Chimney Sweeps will be as lovably antic as ever.
Drivers and passengers will also be able to select from a panoply of items to purchase suitable for holiday gift-giving, such as hand-dipped candles, ornaments, children’s painting sets and traditional rum cakes, which will be delivered to their cars.
Details: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekend day; $25per car; tickets for timed entry and more information at dickensfair.com. A virtual version of the show is available on the event’s website.