The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party

5 Weekends Nov. 22 – Dec. 21

Down the Rabbit Hole: A Victorian Adventure Awaits at The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

This holiday season, the one and only Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party returns to transform the historic Cow Palace Exhibition Halls into Victorian London! This beloved Bay Area holiday tradition offers an immersive experience unlike any other, drawing visitors into a world where the page and stage intertwine as Charles Dickens’ marvelous imagination comes vividly to life. Five festive weekends only — Saturday, November 22 through Sunday, December 21, 2025, plus the Friday after Thanksgiving.

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair continues to enchant generations with its sprawling recreation of 19th-century London, populated by hundreds of costumed characters from literature and history. Guests encounter familiar faces such as Ebenezer Scrooge, Father Christmas and Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, along with chimney sweeps, suffragists, seafarers, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Around every corner and down each lamplit lane, visitors discover seven stages of continuous entertainment and interactive moments that ensure no two visits are ever the same — an unforgettable experience that draws guests back year after year.

Shop, Play, & Feast in London

Entertainments, Delights & Diversions

Throughout the streets and stages, new theatrical works as well as traditional favorites will delight and entertain fairgoers young and old.  Step into the Christmas Eve Past of Ebenezer Scrooge's youth at Fezziwig's Christmas Party for games, music, and unhosted sets of dancing throughout the day. An all-new traditional Christmas pantomime The Tale of Puss In Boots will delight the younger set, while Jim Chiminey returns with a comedic tale that unfolds based on the audiences’ answers. And, of course, the Victorian lanes and shops will be filled with an ensemble of characters found in Charles Dickens’ works, along with the illustrious author himself hosting readings from his ‘new’ story A Christmas Carol.

Delicacies & Libations

The Dickens Fair’s delicious traditional fare and libations are back - including Fish & Chips, Bangers and Mash, and East Indian delicacies. Tea will be served with traditional English tea service, complete with finger sandwiches, scones, and cakes. New this year are delectable Scotch Eggs, and vegan and vegetarian food options. Takeaway items – perfect for seasonal gifting - include handmade chocolates, gourmet salts, English Christmas cakes and puddings, and specialty teas. After a day of shopping and entertainment, enjoy a pint at one of the Fair’s five English pubs, including an absinthe tasting at the Bohemian Absinthe Bar. 

Children’s Tour of London

Welcome to Charles Dickens’ London — where one will find wonder and delight at every turn!

Holiday Handcraft Marketplace

You’ll discover countless one-of-a-kind treasures. Whether searching for the perfect holiday present for friends and loved ones – or a Christmas treat or two for yourself – our quaint shops and bustling emporiums are sure to please.

Experiences

Enrich your visit to Victorian London with one – or all! – of these immersive and one-of-a-kind experiences. Designed for first-time travelers or annual experts, these offerings will take you deeper into the imagination and world of Charles Dickens and add discovery and intrigue to your visit. Learn more below, and purchace the Experiences of your choice on our tickets page.

Stage Schedules

Stage Schedules are also included in the free Event Program offered upon entry at the Front Gate to the Dickens Fair. Program subject to change; check the menu boards posted outside each theatre for that day’s schedule.