The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party returns to Cow Palace, Nov. 21
Jolly Good Fun! A thrilling re-creation of Victorian London, complete with lively theatre, authentic dancing, and sumptuous feasting and shopping
Opens Saturday, November 21 and continues Saturdays & Sundays (Plus the Friday after Thanksgiving) Through December 20, 2015 from 10am – 7pm
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A beloved Bay Area holiday tradition, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party returns to San Francisco’s Cow Palace (2600 Geneva Ave.) on November 21 and continues five weekends through Sunday, December 20, 2015, including the Friday after Thanksgiving.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair magically transforms over three acres of exhibition halls into the marvelous rollicking world of Charles Dickens’ London. Lively calls of street vendors ring out above the crowd and mingle with the voices of holiday carolers; tempting aromas of roasted chestnuts and hearty foods fill the air; enticing shops overflow with one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts.
Originally conceived and created by Ron & Phyllis Patterson, the fair is now produced by Kevin and Leslie Patterson and Red Barn Productions, with this next generation continuing the family tradition of theatrical excellence, historical authenticity, and environmental theater. And now the third generation of Pattersons, Kevin and Leslie’s sons Andrew and Michael, work together running Mr. Punch’s Pasta, Maclaren’s Cookies. and inventive games and rides at the Fair. A true family affair.
Come wander the lanes of Victorian London, as the glow of twilight settles upon the city, the scent of pine boughs and freshly baked scones floats in the air, and the music and sounds of holiday merrymaking accompany your stroll. From highborn royalty to denizens of the street, the Fair teems with over 700 colorful & iconic characters from the imagination of Charles Dickens and the pages of history.
“Our cast members are essentially the moving parts of our magical time machine,” says Kevin Patterson, who, with his wife Leslie Patterson, coproduces the Fair. “It will sweep you, heart and soul, into a tradition of lively historical celebration that brings laughter, dance and delight to all who enter its gates.”
Seven stages offer entertainments, ranging from the family-friendly to the decidedly daring. Proper ladies and gentlemen may choose to enjoy an opera gala, children’s shows, melodramas, and music and dance. The more raffish might prefer to carouse with can-can dancers and salty sailors, or join the bawdy chorus at the infamous Broadside Music Hall Revue.
Bring your appetite when you visit The Great Dickens Christmas Fair – there is ever so much to eat and drink! Feast on delicious foods from the British Empire and beyond, from scrumptious savories to tempting handcrafted sweets.Then visit one of the five traditional pubs to enjoy draft ales, wine, and three champagne, or wrap your hands around a hot buttered rum, Irish coffee, or hot toddy. You can also enjoy a traditional English high tea with scones and finger sandwiches – anytime is teatime at the Dickens Fair.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is also perfect for young people, offering special activities, games, and holiday entertainment opportunities. Younger guests will enjoy meeting Old Father Christmas; riding on a handpowered Adventure Carousel; cheering and jeering at Punch & Judy puppet shows; marveling at the Mother Goose Parade, and taking tea with Alice of Wonderland. As well, there’s the chance to meet characters from A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, and Nicholas Nickleby – and even to encounter the great Charles Dickens himself. In addition, youngsters can create their very own Fairy
Houses, try their hands at being “printer’s devils” with an actual 1860’s printing press, learn to tie intricate knots, sing sea chanteys, have their hair French-braided, or create their own holiday gifts such as rolled beeswax candles and hand-painted ceramic ornaments.
Find the perfect holiday gift and revel in a wonderland of one-of-a-kind artisan treasures. Over 100 beautiful shops offer fine crafts, romantic clothing and accessories, ceramics, handsome drinkware, dazzling jewelry, toys and ornaments, antiquarian books, and more.
Adult patrons love to gather in the Bohemian absinthe bar for lively conversation, or at Mad Sal’s Dockside Ale House to join in the singing of rowdy favorites and watch high-kicking dancers take to the stage for the wicked “Can-Can Bijou.”
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is directed and produced each year by the Patterson family, for more than three decades creators and producers of the world’s original Renaissance Faires at Black Point Forest in Marin County and in Southern California.
Ticketing and Other Pertinent Information: General Admission tickets (age 13 and up) are available at the Box Office for $25 for the first 3 weekends and $30 for the final 2 weekends; at $12 for Children ages 5-12; and wee ones under 5 are free. Tickets are fully transferable.
A Tip from Scrooge: Print-at-home discount tickets are available at www.dickensfair.com.
WHAT: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party
WHEN: Opens Saturday, November 21 and runs Saturdays and Sundays (plus the Friday after Thanksgiving) through December 20, 2015, 10:00 am – 7 pm
WHERE: The Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Avenue, San Francisco
PRICES: General Admission: $25.00/$30.00 at the door (final 2 weekends)
Children ages 5-12: $12.00 at the door
Online sales: $8.00 – $30.00
Children under 5: Free
Fair Season Pass: $90.00 adult
Group Rates available online for groups of 20-29
For groups of 30 or more, contact tickets@gggrouptickets.com or 415-668-0525
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS:
Active Military: 1st & 2nd Weekends Free Admission:
Active Military personnel will receive FREE Admission on First and Second Weekends! (November 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 only; photo I.D. required)
The Scrooge Special (Twilight Ticket offer, available only at box office)
Adult Twilight Tickets, available after 3pm: $15.00
Child Twilight Tickets, available after 3pm: $8.00
A great excuse to visit the Dickens Fair for a second time and focus on shopping or take in a wonderful dinner and a lively show.
“Kids-Free Sunday” November 29
Children (5-12 years old) will receive FREE admission on “Kids Free Sunday” (November 29 only. Children under five are always free!) Your children will love Fairy Crafts, Punch & Judy Puppet Shows, a hand-powered carousel, and all the wonderful delights.
Parking available for $12 (charged by the Cow Palace).
FOR MORE INFORMATION, call (800) 510-1558 x 114 or visit www.dickensfair.com.
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