Dickens of a Christmas
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Friday & Saturday · December 4–5, 2026
Downtown Chestertown
Step back into 1840s London as historic Chestertown becomes a holiday scene straight out of Dickens. Two days of music, Victorian fun, local shops and plenty of good cheer. And do come dressed like the dickens!
Downloadable map coming soon!
A Main Street Chestertown Event
Follow Dickens of a Christmas on Social!
When
Fri, Dec 4 · evening
Sat, Dec 5 · all day
Where
Downtown Chestertown
Enjoy the festivities and stop into the local shops open all weekend.
I
Stave One
Friday Evening
Friday, December 4, 2026
Bonfires, oysters & good cheerAround Town
4:30-6:30PM
Kid Friendly Light Up the Night Activity
KidSpot - 200B High St.
Stop in and make your own working lantern to use throughout the evening!
5PM
Beverage & Food Tents Open
High Street
Beer, wine, oysters and victuals from local vendors.
5-8PM
Fabulous First Friday
Downtown shops
Shops stay open late for holiday shopping.
Free
5:30-8:30PM
Carriage Rides
Corner of N. Cross St. & Memorial Plaza
First come, first served. No tickets needed.
Suggested Donation
7PM
Fire Dancers
300 Block of High Street
Free
On the Main Stage
5PM
Opening Ceremonies
5:30PM
Garnet Elementary School Chorus
6PM
Kent County High School Jazz Band
6:30PM
River Voices
7:30PM
The Devil’s Brigade
Friday Night Spectacle
The Fire Dancers
As night falls on High Street, the fire dancers light up downtown. Free to watch. Find a spot and keep your scarf on.
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II
Stave Two
All Day Saturday
Saturday, December 5, 2026
Open All Day
8AM–12PM
Farmers' Market
Fountain Park
9AM–4PM
London Row Artisans Market
High Street
10AM–5PM
Beverage & Food Tents
Food from 11AM
11AM–3PM
Tiny Tim's Corner
Courthouse Lawn
In order of start timeAround Town
9AM–12PM
Santa's House
Fountain Park
Family
10AM–3PM
10AM–1PM,
2-4PM
Tarot Readings in the Victorian Parlor
The Bank
9:30AM–2:30PM
Wheelmen Antique Bicycles
High Street
11AM-3PM
Falconer Demonstration
Courthouse Lawn (Tiny Tim's Corner)
Family
11AM, 1PM
A Christmas Carol Story Time
Garfield Center lobby · with Kent County Library
Two readings of a children's A Christmas Carol.
Family
1PM
1PM
12-2PM
12–4:30PM
Carriage Rides
Corner of N. Cross St. & Memorial Plaza
First come, first served. No tickets needed but donations of $5 for children and $10 for adults are suggested.
Suggested Donation
5PM
A Dark Victorian Christmas: Ghost Stories for the Longest Nights with Rissa Miller
Kent Cultural Alliance Building. Limited seating available.
Ticketed Get Tickets →
On the Main Stage
10:30AM
O’McPub Band
11:30AM
Baltimore Pipe Band
12:15PM
O’McPub Band
1:30PM
Scrooge Off Contest
Your best "Bah, humbug!" · Sign-up coming soon
2:15PM
Baltimore Pipe Band
3:00PM
The Devil’s Brigade
New This Year for Saturday
Don't Miss
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Saturday · Main Stage
The Great Scrooge Off
1:30PM
Think you've got the Scroogiest "Bah, humbug!" in Kent County? Take the stage and give us your best Ebenezer for a panel of local judges. All ages welcome, from six to sixty.
Prize: Downtown Chestertown spending money and a top hat
Saturday · Sponsored by Church Hill Theatre
Ghost Scavenger Hunt
12PM - 2PM
Four spirits are wandering downtown. Spot a ghost, call them by name, and earn a Victorian keepsake. Collect all four!
- The Ghost of Christmas Past
- The Ghost of Christmas Present
- The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
- Jacob Marley
Pick up your ghost guide with your map at the Main Street table in The Bank on High St.
Reserve Your Seat
Tickets
Most of Dickens of a Christmas is free to wander. These experiences have limited space, so book ahead.
Dickens Victorian Tea
Saturday · 1PM · Christ United Methodist Church
Fragrant teas, finger sandwiches and sweets served on fine china, with festive music and warm conversation. Period attire encouraged, never required.
Holiday Home Tour
Saturday · 10AM–3PM
Step inside some of historic Chestertown's most beautiful homes, dressed for the season.
A Dark Victorian Christmas: Ghost Stories for the Longest Nights with Rissa Miller
Saturday · 5PM · Kent Cultural Alliance Building
Author, storyteller and folklorist Rissa Miller returns this year! Please note seating is limited.
SATURDAY ONLY • WANDER AROUND TOWN
Dickens Destinations
Downtown shops are joining the fun with their own bits of Victorian merriment. Follow the map, pop in, and spend a merry shilling or two.
Fezziwig's Fortune Wheel
Try your hand at Fezziwig's wheel and see what fortune the season holds.
Get a ticket for 1 free spin when you pick up your map at the bank on high street
Hot Chocolate, Victorian Style
Bespoke Chocolates
Warm up with a Victorian hot chocolate outside Bespoke's new chocolate shop.
A Victorian Book Stall
The Bookplate
Browse a Victorian open-air book market set up right out front.
A Dickensian Cocktail
Modern Stone Age
Raise a glass to the season with their take on a drink inspired by A Christmas Carol.
Sit for Your Portrait
Yarrow & Wren
Strike a pose in the Victorian selfie parlor on the front porch. Free, and very shareable.
Your Fortune in Your Palm
Bee Crafty Collectibles
A palm reader holds court in the front window. Your future awaits.
Tarot in the Parlor
The Bank
Step into a Victorian parlor for a tarot reading, 10AM–1PM & 2PM-4PM
Meet the Raptors
Maryland Raptor Conservancy
Come face to face with a hawk and an owl with Maryland Raptor Conservancy in Tiny Tim's Corner from 11am - 3pm on the Courthouse Lawn.
Make a Scrooge Money Pouch
Heritage village in The Bank
Stop by Chestertown RiverArts' table and design your own pouch for those coins you'll be hoarding for Christmas.
Design a Christmas Tree Ornament
TWIGS & TEACUPS
Little ones can craft their very own Christmas tree ornament to take home and hang on the tree.
For the Little Ones
Tiny Tim's Corner
Saturday · Courthouse Lawn
New home this year: the Courthouse Lawn. Easy for families to find and a little away from the bustle.
- Falconer demonstration with an owl and a hawk
- Lawn games all afternoon
- Story time: two readings of A Christmas Carol with Kent County Library in the Garfield Center lobby
- Ghost hunt: older kids, find all four spirits!
Join the Scene
Dress Like the Dickens
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Half the magic is the crowd. Pull together your best Victorian look. Nothing fancy is needed, and a few pieces go a long way.
- Gents: top hat or flat cap, waistcoat, scarf and a long coat
- Ladies: long skirt, shawl or cape, gloves and a bonnet
- Anyone: plaid, velvet, lace and a pair of spectacles
With Gratitude
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Dickens of a Christmas wouldn't be possible without the businesses and neighbors who support it.
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"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
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