Dickens on The Strand returns to Galveston Island Dec. 4-6
The Galveston Historical Foundation presents the 42nd annual Dickens on The Strand, to be held Dec. 4-6. The festival is a holiday tradition with family-friendly programming, including newly created events specifically for children. The 2015 festival begins Friday, Dec. 4, with free admission from 5-9 p.m.; continues Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and concludes Sunday, Dec. 6, from noon to 6 p.m.
Tickets purchased before Dec. 4 are $13 for adults and $7 for children ages 7-12. Tickets purchased at the gate are $15 for adults and $9 for children. 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 Randalls stores. Attendees in Victorian costume are admitted for $8.
The annual holiday street festival, based on 19th-century Victorian London, features parades, nonstop entertainment on six 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 will once again grace the festival as GHF welcomes Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, great-great-great-granddaughter of Dickens, and Jane Dickens Monk, great-
great-granddaughter. Both women will be at numerous events throughout the weekend.
New events in 2015 include:
Complimentary book for attendees: 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’ 1843 masterpiece, A Christmas Carol.
Dickens Children’s writing contest: This year’s festival will give children the chance to ride in a carriage with both of the Dickens descendants if their story is the winning selection. For details, go to dickensonthestrand.org.
Oliver’s Alley children’s area: This year’s event will feature an expanded Oliver’s Alley children’s area, presented by the Galveston Children’s Museum.
Trafalgar Square stage in Hendley Green: Galveston Historical Foundation’s new downtown
green space, Hendley Green, will offer attendees a new location to take in the festival’s best entertainment, food and fun.
Fezziwig’s Friday night: Join in Friday evening, Dec. 4, from 5-9 p.m. for specialty acts, hearty brews and new friends, all hosted by Dickens Monk.
‘Dinner with Dickens’ at the 1880 Garten
Verein: Held for one night only on Friday, Dec. 4, at 6:30 p.m., “Dinner with Dickens” will treat guests to an evening of specially crafted food, grand storytelling and royal company as the festival’s Queen Victoria makes her annual entrance.
Breakfast with
Dickens :OnDec.5at8 a.m., join Dickens Monk and a celebrity chef as they prepare a one-of-a-kind experience in a beloved Galveston historic home, the 1859 Ashton Villa. Tickets are $60 and reservations are required.
For more information about Dickens on The Strand, Galveston Historical Foundation or to purchase advance tickets, visit galvestonhistory.org or call 409-765-7834.
For more festival information, contact Will Wright at 409-765-3404 or will.wright@galvestonhistory.org.