by Noella Noelophile®
For someone who’s 200 years old, don’t you think Queen Victoria looks great?
Okay, that was rude. I shouldn’t be discussing a lady’s age. Especially if she’s royalty.
BUT–maybe she won’t send me to the Tower this time. After all, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair will be celebrating her with impunity–in just two weeks’ time.
And there’s another anniversary celebration at the heart of the festivities, as well.
(IGraphic courtesy of Red Barn Productions, and used with permission.)
The Dickens Fair, which opens just two weeks from today, is celebrating its 20th year at San Francisco’s Cow Palace.
So, in case you’ve never been–what is Dickens Fair? Well, both a unique Christmastime experience, and a Bay Area tradition.
A combination of marketplace, amusement area and interactive theatre experience, the Dickens Fair takes attendees back in time–to a pre-Christmas evening in the London of Charles Dickens’ day.
Performances take place on multiple stages, including the Victoria and Albert Music Hall. Games are in progress. Artisans offer their wares in the marketplace.
And you’ll feel very much as though you’ve stepped into one of Dickens’ Christmas stories.
You may very well hear Mr. Dickens conversing with his cronies in The Adventurers Club.
Or have Mad Sal raise her glass to you, in a brief stint away from her alehouse.
Not to mention meeting Father Christmas, newsboys, Oliver Twist, Fagin and various other inhabitants of Dickens’ world–both real and imaginary.
The Dickens Fair runs from Friday, November 23rd to Sunday, December 22nd. And if you’d like to get in the Dickensian spirit ahead of time, here’s their link to ways to prepare for the fair! (Hint: you don’t have to come in Victorian costume. But you certainly can if you’d like!)
Here are links to the special discounts the Dickens Fair offers. Meanwhile, during their first two weekends, they’re offering free admission to active military personnel with photo I.D. And up to 3 family members may get in free, with the service member.
Unlike several years ago, when a ticket purchased for a date was good for that date only, the 2019 Dickens Fair ticket page says general admission is good for any day of the fair!
And when you log into the Dickens Fair website, the first thing you’ll see are Happy 200th Birthday wishes for a certain monarch.
Happy Birthday, Queen Victoria! And Happy Anniversary, Great Dickens Christmas Fair! May both of you reign forever.