ST. GEORGE – The Dickens’ Christmas Festival, a re-creation of 19th Century Victorian London opens today and continues through Saturday. The Festival is not just another craft show, but a unique and unusual entertainment and shopping experience. The fair re-creates the crooked streets and winding lanes of Charles Dickens’ London, where so many of America’s holiday traditions originate.
Old English shops, hundreds of period costumes, fortune tellers, orphans, royalty and the “real” Father Christmas all combine to offer guests a Christmas experience like no other. Where else can you find a cast of Dickens’ characters such as Tiny Tim, Scrooge, Oliver, and of course Queen Victoria herself roaming the Festival streets and charming their Audiences?
There is nothing as contagious as the laughter and irresistible charm of street urchins; chimney sweeps, well-to-do ladies and gents and the middle class merchants selling their wares. The Festival is also known for its unique gifts and quality merchandise.
Guests will be entertained from the moment they step into Old London until the time they leave. Mini-productions of the musicals based on Charles Dickens’ “Scrooge” and “Oliver Twist” will be performed nightly on the Queen Victoria Stage as well as puppet shows, street theater and the Fezziwig Dance party. The tall, tall Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future will also be wandering through the streets.
New this year will be a 200th birthday celebration of Charles Dickens and Tea with the Queen. Both of these events will occur twice during the festival, admission is free, reservations required (contact info below). The birthday celebration will be held Friday and Saturday at 4 p.m. Tea with the Queen will be held Friday and Saturday at 5 p.m.
Dickens will also be heading to Salt Lake City following its traditional run in St. George and will be held at the Utah State Fairpark from Dec. 7-15, excluding Sunday.
Event recap
Dates: Nov. 28 – Dec. 1
Time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Dixie Center, 1835 Convention Center Drive, St. George
Admission: $6 for adults, $4 for seniors ages 65 and up, $4 for children ages 4-12, free for children ages 3 and younger
Reservations required for special events:
Charles Dickens 200th Birthday, Fri. and Sat. at 4 p.m., free, reservations required
Tea with the Queen, Fri. and Sat. 5 p.m., free, reservations required
Email info@dickenschristmasfestival.
Website: Dickens Festival
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
The last time we went there were very few crafts and lots of Chinese made mass production items. It also seemed like a potential fire trap with a maze like crowded layout and decor that looked flammable.