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Dickens on The Strand is an annual Victorian-themed holiday festival scheduled for December 3 & 4, 2011, on the streets of historic downtown Galveston.
Dressing the part of a Victorian lady or gent can be as easy as pulling together pieces hanging in the back of the closet. Or it could be as fun as finding a vintage dress or suit in a thrift shop or antique store. Others even have costumes custom-made for the event.
Galveston Island once again transforms into 19th century Victorian London this December 3 and 4 for the 38th Annual Dickens on The Strand Festival. This year's event runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets purchased on or before December 2 are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 7-12 and can be bought online, by calling 888-305-7627 or all area Kroger stores. Tickets purchased at the gate are $14 for adults and $8 for children. Attendees in Victorian costume are admitted for half price. Galveston’s Dickens on The Strand, an annual holiday street festival based on 19th-century Victorian London, features parades, non-stop entertainment on five stages, strolling carolers, roving musicians, bagpipers, jugglers and a host of other entertainers. Costumed vendors will 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.
Returning this year with an expanded bazaar, circus and Saturday night street ball is the Airship Isabella, an alternative Victorian “Steampunk” group of performers located in Steampunk Alley. Other returning favorites for 2011 are the award winning Victorian Bed Races, featuring teams of contestants wearing Victorian sleeping attire pushing Victorian-dressed beds on wheels down Galveston’s Mechanic Street; Albert’s Whimsical Whisker Revue, a facial hair contest for both the bearded and the dandy judged by the Austin Facial Hair Club; Dickens' Victorian Costume Contest; Civil War living history encampments and daily parades through Galveston's National Historic Landmark Strand District.
The 2011 Dickens on The Strand also features kid friendly options such as Picadilly Circus, a children's playground with elephant and camel rides and a petting zoo; Artful Dodger Lane, where art students create a chalk London on Galveston’s streets; and a true island rarity, snow on Strand, in the snowyard.
The 2011 Dickens on The Strand isn’t just a world-famous street festival, it’s also the setting for one of a kind special events.
Dinner with Dickens will be held Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3 at Galveston's oldest Broadway mansion, Ashton Villa and features an intimate evening with Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, who will speak on the life of her great-great-great-grandfather Charles Dickens.
Dickens Country Breakfasts are available Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 for the early risers with an abundant breakfast buffet with guest Lucinda Dickens Hawksley and entertainment provided by the Cathedral Ringers Hand Bell Choir of Dallas, Texas.
The 1859 St. Joseph's Church, the state's first wooden built church, hosts a holiday handbell concert on Friday, December 2 and the Holiday Twilight Tours offer live music and champagne and allows participants to tour the 1892 Bishop's Palace and the 1838 Menard House, Galveston's oldest residence.
Those wanting to learn more about The Strand National Historic District are welcomed on the Architectural Walking Tour on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4. This year's tour speaks about the people, disasters and businesses that shaped the “Wall Street of the Southwest”.
Tickets to all special events are available now at www.dickensonthestrand.org and require advance registration.
For more information on Dickens on The Strand, Galveston Historical Foundation, or to purchase advance tickets, please visit galvestonhistory.org or call 409-765-7424.
Festival Location & Directions
Galveston is located approximately one hour south of Houston. Take I-45 south for approximately 50 miles. After you cross the causeway linking the mainland to Galveston, I-45 will become Broadway, and the cross streets will be numbered in decreasing order. To reach the Strand National Historic Landmark District, the site of Dickens on The Strand, turn left onto either 24th, 22nd, or 21st Streets, and continue north toward Galveston Bay. These streets all intersect Mechanic Street at the perimeter of the festival site.
Parking is available on many streets and lots within walking distance of the festival area.
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