In lieu of gathering in person in 2020 and again in 2021, we invite you to enjoy the simple pleasures of "Dickens Fair at Home" as our holiday gift to you! The 2020 program was a huge success - the Applause page features some of the heartfelt thank-you notes we received.
With the continued need to provide safety for our public and participants, we are presenting the first ever "Drive Thru Dickens' London" AND this second season of "Dickens Fair at Home." Enjoy!
- Invoke the spirits of Christmas Past and Christmas Present with "A Christmas Carol" read by Mr. Dickens himself.
- Gather to sing in the parlour, or dance in the kitchen! Find favorite Fair music, videos, and the one and only Coventry Carolers in spirited song!
- Discover delicious recipes from merry old England and serve up holiday favorites with Dickensian flair!
- Entice your creative spirit (and young hearts) to make playful holiday gifts with instruction from Fair artists.
And we invite you to...
- Shop Online for hand-crafted gifts to delight both family and friends...and to help our artist community by purchasing from a crafts community that is struggling through the cancellation of two years' worth of events.
Peruse the schedule below to plan for your fun!
Begin your holiday season with this selection of Dickensian Delights...
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A warm holiday welcome from our namesake, the illustrious author Mr. Charles Dickens |
The Coventry Carolers sing “I Hear the Bells on Christmas Day”Led by maestro Bob Crabb, the Coventry Carolers invite you into the holiday season with a lovely rendition of this English classic. Join in the merriment and sing along with the Coventry Carolers from the comfort of your own parlour! |
“A Christmas Carol, in Prose: Being a Ghost Story of Christmas” with illustrations by John LeechA beloved part of the literary canon – and for many an indispensable part of the holiday season, this tale embodies the goodwill associated with the Christmas season – and the Victorians’ favorite elements of a good Christmas story: ghosts! |
Nana's Nursery demonstrates how to make five Victorian Christmas Ornaments
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Cinnamon Almonds RecipeRecreate this Dickens Fair favorite - crunchy, sweet, and fragrant Cinnamon Almonds. |
A gift of Zoom backgrounds to use and share!Enliven your video gatherings with a virtual background from within the Great Dickens Christmas Fair. |
Discover delightful music, historic wonders, and holiday traditions…
The Coventry Carolers sing "Gaudete"Join in the merriment and sing along with the Coventry Carolers from the comfort of your own parlour! |
Nana’s Nursery demonstrates “How to make a holiday Rosette”Create a heartfelt gift for a loved one or as a decoration for your tree. |
Building the Crystal Palace, Multicultural Wonder of the Victorian AgeTruly one of the great marvels of the age, both as a feat of engineering and a showcase for cultures from around the globe. |
Glenn Morgan Plays the Hammer DulcimerMarvelous and timeless acoustic music from the streets of the Fair. |
Edgar Allen Poe reads "The Raven"Mr. Poe performs his epic poem of the mysterious and macabre to a spellbound audience in the Adventurers' Club. |
A History of Wheat WeavingFifth generation Welsh Wheat-Weaver and Fair artist for many years, Morgyn Owens-Celli shares some lore about this ancient, traditional art form. |
Mad Sal's Dockside Music Hall 'Oliday Hextravaganza!Clap, stomp and sing along with salacious Sal and her mates in this full-length show. |
The Seadogs of Paddy West School of Seamanship Sing "Haul, Boys, Haul"Tap your toes and drop your aitches as these salty sailors sing a tantalizing tale of life on the High Seas! |
Find holiday wonders for the wee ones, and all those still children at heart...
The Coventry Carolers sing "Joy to the World"Join in the merriment and sing along with the Coventry Carolers from the comfort of your own parlour! |
Nana’s Nursery demonstrates “Learning Cat's Cradle”Allow the children to remind us of our childhood, when we made stories come to life with a piece of string! |
Punch & Judy - Oh, Yes it Is!Laugh, call, and respond to the antics of Mr. Punch and Judy in this traditional British-style puppet show. |
Classic Snickerdoodle Cookies RecipeA perennial favorite, the crackled cinnamon-sugar topping makes these a perfect accompaniment to a cuppa! |
The 1973 Dickens Christmas Fair: A Sound JourneyVisit the bustling streets and lively stages of the Dickens Christmas Fair circa 1973 with this audiovisual montage. |
The Brunos play music at the Mermaid InnIt’s a bit dark and shaky, like that side of town, but close your eyes and be transported to the Mermaid Inn for a musical holiday evening in Victorian London… |
St. Cuthbert’s Tea Shoppe Scone RecipeDelightfully rich and flaky - a highly guarded secret until now! |
Make Your Own Dickens Fair DioramaCreated by artist extraordinaire Don Carson, this whimsical three-dimensional diorama of the Great Dickens Christmas Fair is a special gift for you to print, cut out, and assemble at home. |
Jim Chiminey and the Pick PocketWhat will happen when a pick-pocket attempts quick-fingered shenanigans with Jim? Watch and see... |
Ambience/ASMR Video: Victorian Christmas Parlour at NightBe transported to a warm and cozy British parlour at Christmas-time complete with a crackling fire and candlelight. Created by Ambience of Yesteryear. |
The holiday is nearly here! Join together in a festive song, a warm meal, and a fireside reading…
A Holiday Greeting from Father ChristmasFather Christmas wishes a warm and hearty Christmas-time to one and all. |
The Coventry Carolers sing “Silent Night”Join in the merriment and sing along with the Coventry Carolers from the comfort of your own parlour! |
"A Christmas Carol" - Complete Reading by Charles DickensGrab a hot cuppa and settle in as Charles Dickens reads his timeless holiday story to you in its entirety, from beginning to end. A beloved part of the literary canon – and for many an indispensable part of the holiday season, this tale embodies the goodwill associated with the Christmas season – and the Victorians’ favorite elements of a good Christmas story: ghosts! |
Father Christmas Reads Children's Wishes and "The Night Before Christmas"Sitting at home by a crackling fire, the old elf reads the classic poem, as well as a few choice letters... |
Victorian Christmas CardsThe Victorians invented Christmas cards in 1843. Here is a gallery show of some of the earliest and most beautiful cards. |
How to Roast Chestnuts at HomeSurprisingly, these delectable treats need not be roasted on an open fire… |
Tavistock House and Bread and Butter PuddingLearn about the London home of Mr. Charles Dickens and his family, and how to make delicious Bread and Butter Pudding from Mrs. Dickens' own family recipe. |
The Hallejujah Chorus with the Fezziwig's FamilyJoin in good company and sing along with the Fezziwigs family and friends in this rousing and uplifting holiday classic! |