Dickens on The Strand Festival

 Galveston Historical Foundation's Dickens on The Strand festival highlight downtown Galveston's Victorian-era architecture while providing a one-of-a-kind holiday destination filled with the sights and sounds of Charles Dickens' work. (Photo: Galveston Historical Foundation, Illumine Photographic Services)

For 46 years, Galveston Historical Foundation's Dickens on The Strand festival has highlighted downtown Galveston's Victorian-era architecture while providing a one-of-a-kind holiday destination filled with the sights and sounds of Charles Dickens' work. This year's event continues that tradition with new entertainers and events, returning favorites, and family-friendly programming. This annual festival begins Friday, Dec. 6, with free admission to Fezziwig's Beer Hall from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. and continues with ticketed entry Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8, 12-6 p.m. 

The annual holiday street festival, based on 19th-century Victorian London, features parades, non-stop entertainment on multiple 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. Three descendants of Charles Dickens will grace the festival as GHF welcomes Oliver 'Ollie' Dickens, a great-great-great-grandson; Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, a great-great-great-granddaughter; and Jane Dickens Monk, a great-great-granddaughter. All descendants will be at numerous events throughout the weekend.