The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

Discover London at the historic Cow Palace Exhibition Halls. Enter the winding lanes of Victorian London and immerse yourself in a world of music halls, theatres, pubs, dance parties, and charming shops overflowing with hand-made holiday treasures. Enticing aromas of roasted chestnuts and hearty foods fill the air. Discover holiday revelry in this lamp-lit city brimming with hundreds of lively and colorful characters from the imagination of Charles Dickens, the pages of history, and the sometimes saucy world of the Victorian stage.

Shop, Play, and Feast in London
Throughout the streets of the Fair discover the finest hand made crafts, delicious foods, and lively characters – learn more below. Of special note, enjoy 5 traditional English Public Houses. Each of these delightful "Pubs" has its own unique personality, history and menu. And new Experiences can be found throughout London this season, including Port and Chocolate Tastings at The Green Man Inn, and a mysterious Pub Crawl with Jekyll and Hyde and the Elixir of Madness.

Entertainments, Delights, and Diversions:

The Streets of London
The bustling, colourful London of Charles Dickens comes to life in the streets he chronicled so well. Watch for Mr Dickens and characters from his novels throughout the streets ~ scenes from "A Christmas Carol" and his other works may emerge at any time.

Characters You May Meet:
Multitudes of characters from the imagination of Mr. Charles Dickens are brought vividly to life in our Victorian London. Hundreds of costumed players create living history all around you – and you are heartily welcome to join in. You may bump into grumpy Mr. Scrooge (or later in the day, the infectiously jolly reformed Mr. Scrooge), or the mysterious ghosts of Jacob Marley and Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come. Watch the Artful Dodger introduce Oliver Twist to London. Follow dashing young Nicholas Nickleby and his family as they learn to negotiate their new lives in London. Exchange a hearty seasonal greeting with the inimitable Mr. Charles Dickens himself Mingle with musicians, carolers, music hall performers, saucy sailors, craftsmen, and so many more. You may even shake the hand of a chimney sweep for luck.

Parades:
Father Christmas Parade to Father Christmas Stage (Father Christmas also visits with children here at 4:00pm.) Towards the end of the day, be sure to be on the lookout for the festive and traditional Boar’s Head Procession, and throughout the day for lively processions of costermongers and other denizens of London’s vibrant streets.

The Green Man Inn
The beating heart of London, where the locals gather to celebrate the season, raise a glass, plan adventures, and share the news of the day. At any moment a lively round of song might erupt, or merry capers suddenly liven the parlour. You are welcome to sit down with a glass of refreshment and enjoy the bustle.

Port Tastings are held in the Parlour at 11:30, 1:30, 3:30, and 5:00 – inquire with the bartender for reservations first thing, to see what is available. Cost is $20.00 per person. Photo ID Required.

Fezziwig’s Dance Party
Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, young Scrooge’s employers, invite you to their holiday party – and you are most welcome to join in the fun. Be entertained by shows, scenes from A Christmas Carol, entr’actes, and special guest acts. Throughout the day, Greenwich Mean Time provides lively ballroom and English country dance music, with reels, jigs, polkas and waltzes for the public to enjoy, each set commencing with a special exhibition of Victorian dance.

Victoria and Albert Bijou Music Hall
A dazzling panoply of the finest entertainment in London, presented by the finest performers in the West End.

Dickens’ Study at Tavistock House
This is where you may find the great novelist at work on his latest novel, visited frequently by his illustrious friends (including Edgar Allan Poe), his family, and a host of his characters. Mr Dickens will read from A Christmas Carol at 11:30, 1:30, 2:45, and 4:30.

Father Christmas Stage and Punch and Judy Puppet Theatre
Sweet caroling rings out and Father Christmas himself magically appears. Young folks may join him for a holiday photo memento (no family portraits please). Family fare continues as children are chosen to participate in delightful shows and sing-a-longs. Across the way you’ll find the Traveling Piccolo Puppet Players with illuminating antics from Mr. Punch and his mischevious friends.

Paddy West Stage at the London Docks
Welcome to The London Docks, Thameside home to the Paddy West School of Seamanship and other nautical riffraff. In addition to stage shows, entertainment throughout the day includes music and seafaring songs; navigation lessons with model ships; knot tying, games and sailing skills; and a traveling tattoo parlour.

Mermaid Tavern Stage
The sounds of spirited music and lively dance ring out all through the day. Grab a pint and enjoy the fun.

Chancery Lane
Where Mr. Dickens’ characters and stories come to life in vibrant scenes from A Christmas Carol and other Dickens works, interspersed with exuberant musical interludes. This is also where the wildly (and comically) theatrical Crummles Family Troupe holds forth, as well as the location of Scrooge and Marley’s Counting House, the Cratchits’ humble home, and much more.

The Athenaeum Club
Where the leading lights of the literary, artistic, scientific, and business worlds assemble to discuss their projects and to share them with the public in a variety of presentations and activities.

Mad Sal’s Dockside Ale House
Raucous merriment draws the venturesome soul to "The Docks," wherein Mad Sal herself presides over a host of talented singers, dancers, and more than a few shifty sorts. Watch your pockets – and your propriety.

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