The Great Dickens Christmas Fair welcomed visitors to the opening of its 41st season over the weekend. The long-running fair creates a Victorian Christmas wonderland, complete with hundreds of costumed characters, performances, artisan shops, eateries, dance parties, and even a miniature live steam train.
Each year, the fair transforms the Cow Palace into a “sprawling recreation of 19th-century London."
Cheapside Music Hall performers, featuring Le Cancan Bijou, during their performance finale. | Photo: Cheryl L. Guerrero/Hoodline
This year’s fair pays tribute to author Lewis Carroll, with an all-new English Pantomime performance, "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland," at the Surrey Theatre. There is also an Alice-themed mural in the children’s area, and Mr. Carroll himself — or his costumed player — can be spotted at the Athenaeum Club on Petticoat Lane.
The Fair’s immersive fun also offers novel experiences, such as a Sherlock Holmes mystery and a Children’s Tour of London, which are included in the price of admission. Other potential outings include High Tea at Cuthbert’s Tea Shoppe, a personalized corset fitting at Dark Garden Corset Experience, and a Jekyll & Hyde Pub Crawl.
Father Christmas is available for photos between 12:00 and 4:00 pm daily. | Photo: Cheryl L. Guerrero/Hoodline
Regarded as one of the top European-style Christmas markets in the country, the Dickens Fair helps kick off the holiday season each year. This year, it’s open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays through December 21st. It also will be open this Friday, November 28th, after Thanksgiving. Tickets are available online, with some special discounts for youth, active military, and Twilight Tickets (late-in-the-day entry). Organizers advise to plan ahead as later weekends, and closing weekend in particular, tend to sell out.
Here are more scenes from opening weekend:
Chad Morrell & Nick Forgac (l-r) of Sacramento attend the Fair in costume every year. For Morrell, that tradition is over 20 years old, while Forgac has joined in for the last eight years.
The Cheapside Music Hall performers on stage.
Fellowship Foundry Pewter stand, one of the many artisans at the fair.
Attendees take part in a dance party at Fezziwig’s.
A game of cards and some gin near the London Docks.
The Cheapside Music Hall performers on stage at Mad Sal’s Dockside Alehouse theater.
Zenas Hackworth AKA Carl Zwanzig runs a late 1800s printing press at The Elite Printing Company shop. The “company” only operates during the Dickens Christmas Fair. Sharon Sullivan brings the press to the Fair each year in a tradition started by her father Gordon. “We brought this large press … to the Dickens Fair here at the Cow Palace in 1977,” she told us, “and we’ve been bringing it and several of the other pieces here ever since.”
Live model at the Dark Garden Corsetry shop.
Actors perform “The Temperance Union presents ‘Hamlet’s Happy Home’” on Chancery Lane.
A candlemaker at work.
Masks for sale at Mischief Masks.
Monica and Trevoy Goodrich (l-r). The mother and son attend the Fair each year as part of a family tradition that began with Monica’s mother. “We love just the whole immersion,” Monica said, “You are no longer in the Cow Palace, you are in Old London and you’ve got the characters walking around, you’ve got the Spirit of Christmas.” Trevoy, who now also brings his wife to the Fair, added that they try to attend opening weekend. “[It] sets the tone for the holiday season and really kicks it off for us.”
A violinist provides music for holiday strollers.
Attendees participate in Fezziwig’s Dance Party.
Children take a ride on the Adventure Carousel.
Musicians as part of the Pipe & Bowl Morris Dancers performance.
Fiddles on display outside the Fiddles ‘n’ Such shop on the Grand Concourse.
Le Cancan Bijou dancers on stage.
Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim spotted at the fair.
Serving up brews at Sal’s Pub in Ale House Alley.
Headdresses on display at the Land on Your Head hat shop.
The Cheapside Music Hall performers on stage.
Naptime after a big day at the fair.
Fun to be had for all on the dance floor.
All photos by Cheryl L. Guerrero
