Brush off your bowlers and prepare your petticoats as Galveston Historical Foundation presents the 52nd annual Dickens on The Strand. Held the first weekend in December, the annual festival is a holiday tradition with great family programming, live entertainment, special events and more.
Dickens on The Strand, based on 19th-century Victorian London, features parades, non-stop entertainment on four stages, new additions like Tiny Tim’s Play Land, Shopkeeper Skills Village, and roaming characters throughout the festival. Costumed vendors peddle their wares from street stalls and rolling carts laden with holiday food and drink, Victorian-inspired crafts, clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations, and gift items.
This is the first time I’ve been to Dickens on the Strand since I was in high school and it was just as fun as I remember.
Since you’re right there by it, make sure to stop into La King’s – an old time ice cream and candy shop and watch taffy being made. If you’re lucky, you might get a sample like we did.
One of my favorite parts of this experience is getting to see all of the musicians on the street. On almost every street corner, there’s someone playing the violin, bagpipes, and musical groups singing Christmas carols. It’s really fun to see everyone’s talents and it definitely puts you in the Christmas spirit!
One exhibit my husband loved was Sky Kings Falconry. They had several trained birds flying about and gave a great discussion on each one.
If you’re looking for Christmas décor, vintage items, or handmade goods, there is a shop here for you! There are dozens of vendors here selling all sorts of wares, so make sure to take the time to check them out!
When you walk onto the property (or look online), you can see a full calendar of events that will be taking place all weekend long. There are several parades during the Dickens on the Strand festivities, one being the Queen’s Parade. This parade is really fun to watch as there are people dressed up from the Galveston Historical Foundation, seafarers from Galveston’s historic sailing ship, the Elyssa, draft horses pulling wagons, rowdy pirates, and even the Queen herself. It’s a fun activity to watch for adult and kids alike.
Like I said previously, there’s a full calendar of events for the weekend, so you won’t be bored. There’s high school choir groups’ performances, fencing demonstrations, singing pirates, story tellers, and acrobatic acts that you’ll want to see.
Speaking of acrobatic acts, you just have to see Cirque La Vie. They’re one part humor and one part acrobatic skill and they put on a great show!
The Victorian Bed Races are something you just have to see to believe – and yes, it is as silly and fun as you are imagining.
We had the best time at Dickens on the Strand and highly recommend you go next year! Don’t forget to like this video and SUBSCRIBE to the channel for more family friendly tips like this!
