Photo by Rich Yee, courtesy of Dickens Fair
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair and Victorian Holiday Party will soon return to Daly City’s Cow Palace. This beloved annual event drops you into Victorian London, brought to life by hundreds of costumed players and a plethora of shops, stages, pubs, parties, and memorable performances. You can now buy tickets for the fair happening every weekend between Nov. 18-Dec. 17, 2023.
This annual event started in the 1970s and celebrates the world of writer Charles Dickens, author of A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, and other literary classics. The Fair features experiences and characters inspired by and plucked directly from Dickens’ novels, including Father Christmas; Mad Sal; Mr. Dickens himself; and his Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
Photo by Zoart Photography, courtesy of Dickens Fair
This year brings some new drinking experiences including the Jekyll and Hyde Pub Crawl mystery, in which guests can try five different custom “elixirs” at various drinking establishments; and Port and Chocolate Tasting 4 times a day at the Green Man Inn.
Guests can enjoy a spectrum of performances across 7 stages including Irish singers, English pantomime, Bedouin belly dancers, and juggling. This is also a great time to do some holiday shopping because there will be over 100 shops and vendors selling fine crafts. Finally, the Sherlock Holmes Experience is back by popular demand for those that want to try a delightful new puzzle.
Costumes play a huge role in the overall experience, but don’t feel bad if you don’t want to hunt down a waistcoat or bonnet. Victorian costumes aren’t required but are warmly welcomed. Their costume guide and policies is a must-read before you attend, with plenty of dos and don’ts regarding your attire.
Photo by Rich Yee, courtesy of Dickens Fair
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair invites you to lose yourself in the fantasy of the experience, enjoy a fencing lesson, drink a little absinthe or Turkish coffee and enjoy the ride.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair and Victorian Holiday Party will be held on weekends from Nov. 18-Dec. 17 from 10am-6pm. The Fair will take place at the Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City, CA.
General admission all-day adult tickets are $45 and youth tickets (under 13) are $25. You can also count on discounted Twilight tickets after 3pm.
Written by Grant MacHamer and Jamie Ferrell
