Experience Historic Chestertown’s
Victorian Holiday Extravaganza
Step back into 1840’s London and experience the holiday season as Charles Dickens imagined it.
This two day event includes entertainment, home tours, food, book talks, merchandise, and more.
And don’t forget to come dressed like the dickens!
December 6 & 7, 2024
Volunteering for A Dickens of a Christmas?
Sign up for your spots!
Join us in the charm of the holiday season!
Main Street Chestertown welcomes thousands of residents and visitors
for its annual Dickens of a Christmas during this two-day celebration of the season.
“Christmas, and the end of the year, is definitely a time when people try their hardest to begin afresh, a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely.”
– Charles Dickens
Friday, December 6th, 2024
5 – 9pm, downtown Chestertown
Enjoy an evening filled with oysters, food vendors, beer, wine, and bonfires! We will have our opening ceremony and listen to KCHS Jazz Band, Garnet Elementary Chorus, River Voices, and end the night with a jam session from The American Rogues!
Don’t forget to visit Santa!
On Saturday from 10AM to 12PM,
Santa will be waiting for children
to visit him with their Christmas wishes
in his house in Fountain Park!
Saturday Schedule
December 7th, 2024
Save with Combo Tickets
With our combo ticket, you’ll have access to both the Holiday House Tour and the Second Seating of the Victorian Tea. Explore the charming streets adorned with twinkling lights, indulge in delicious seasonal treats, and enjoy Chestertown’s unique Victorian architecture. Get your combo ticket now and make memories that will warm your heart for years to come!
Small Stage Schedule
O’McPub Band, Quinn Arnhold Music, and more!
7AM – 9AM
Run Like the Dickens! 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ Fun Run
Start and finish near The Kitchen at the Imperial.
8AM – 12PM
Chestertown Farmers’ Market
Enjoy the award winning Chestertown Farmers’ Market on the 300 block of High Street!
12PM – 5:30PM
Beverage Tent Opens!
Serving beer, wine, hot cider, mulled wine, and non-alcoholic beverages!
10AM – 1PM
Children’s Activities at Park Row
Santa’s House Open in Fountain Park
10AM – 2PM
Holiday House Tour
12:00PM – 2:00PM
Victorian Tea
Enjoy a proper English tea from Victorian servers.
10AM – 4PM
Heritage Village in The Bank
Vendor list coming soon!
10AM – 2:45PM
Dickens Performers
Enjoy acts such as O’ McPub Band, Jimmy Kinstle One-Man Show, and more!
Time TBD
Tarot Card reading in The Vault in The Bank!
10AM – 1PM
Sumner Hall has Great Expectations!
Visit Sumner Hall as it transforms from Sumner Hall to Satis House! Enjoy refreshments with the Ghost of Miss Havisham. Experience the museum’s Debutante Exhibit: “Pride Without Predjuce.”
11AM – 5PM
Food vendors open
Food vendors coming soon!
2:45PM – 5:30PM
Main Stage Entertainment
Enjoy an epic finale to Dickens of a Christmas 2024. Acts coming soon!
5:00PM-6:30PM
“13 Unmerriest Monsters”
How much do you really know about the holiday season? …Have you taken precautions against the Yule Cat? Meow!
Get to know Mari Lwyd, a skeleton horse who challenges people in a battle of rhymes. How about the French whipping father, le Pere Fouttard? Locally, we must be on the lookout for the Belsnickel. Maybe you think your decor is up to snuff for inspection by The Yule Goat? Ready for Caga Tio, the festive holiday “log?”
Well, if you’re not prepared for all this, Krampus may be the best introduction for the true spirit of the season.
Join us for this darker look at holiday legends and lore presented by Rissa Miller, and discover the shady backend of the most wonderful time of the year ~ or as she likes to call it, a Creepy Little Christmas.
Rissa Miller is an editor, author, herbalist, seer, and storyteller. Her storytelling expertise stems from extensive research into the area of esoteric history, including ghosts, witchcraft, cryptids, and folklore. Rissa believes the most enduring stories teach us not only about humanity’s past, but also give reason to reflect on our own present beliefs and realities. She often leads ghost tours and gives lively history talks.
How to dress like the Dickens
Join us in your very best
Victorian attire!
Don’t have an outfit? Check out our costume shop! Located at the Visitor’s Center
Nov 14th, 21st & 25th: 5pm – 7pm
Nov 18th & 25th: 11am – 2pm
Dec 2nd & 4th: 5pm – 7pm
Looking to Sponsor?
Send us a message to get involved!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Chestertown’s Annual Dickens of a Christmas would not be possible without the help from our Sponsors.
Dickens Sponsors
Marley Sponsors
Scrooge Sponsors
Tiny Tim Sponsors
