The Dickens of a Christmas Truthful returns to SF Bay Space
You say humbug
Not at the Great Dickens Christmas Market. Held annually since 1970, this festival is a sure tonic for the holiday blues.
On the weekends from November 17 to December 23 (plus the Friday after Thanksgiving), Daly City’s Cow Palace transforms into Charles Dickens’ London with music halls, parades, pubs, shops and 800 costumed characters. You’ll encounter the royals, chimney sweeps, newsboys, the Cratchit family, and even Mr. Dickens, who gives several readings every day.
Kids can giggle at puppet shows (Punch & Judy is a British classic), watch a toy parade, learn to be a chimney sweep, and meet Santa. You can also make gifts: rolled beeswax candles and hand-painted ornaments.
Adults can watch Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera Trial by Jury (after a successful run last year), sing shanties and see can-can dancers at Mad Sal’s Dockside Ale House.
When you get hungry, you’ll find the foods the British Empire is known for (roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, fish and chips, meat pies, bangers, tea sandwiches, scones) as well as pan-European dishes (Italian, Greek). . Just don’t let the queen see you with this spanakopita.
Details: Advance booking recommended to avoid sell-out days: www.dickensfair.com. The opening times are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. $ 14- $ 30, with lower prices for twilight hours (after 3 p.m.); Cow Palace charges $ 12 for parking, but the fair offers a free shuttle from Glen Park BART station. 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City.
