From November 23 to December 22, the Cow Palace in Daly City transforms into a magical recreation of Christmas in Victorian-era London for the 40th annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair. This festive celebration of English novelist and journalist Charles Dickens offers an unforgettable holiday experience with food, shops, pubs and performances. Full-day tickets (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) are free for children under five, $25 for children under 13, and $45 for adults. After 3 p.m., tickets cost $18 for children and $30 for adults.
Upon entering the fair, visitors are transported to a world of cobblestone streets, gas-lit alleys, and bustling shops. Attendees dress in an array of attire: some dress in modern winter apparel, sweaters and jeans. Others fully embrace the Victorian theme. Women don corsets, voluminous skirts, and eye-catching headpieces, while men appear as chimney sweepers in worn-down clothes and newsboy hats or as formal gentlemen in long coats and top hats.
Street actors wander around the fair, adding to its festive atmosphere. Among these performers are married couple Harry Streaper and Theresa Diaz who dress up as members of the Temperance Movement. The duo can be seen walking around the streets, holding a sign scribbled “Gin is Sin” and passionately engaging with visitors to support the movement.“Before I did the fair I had absolutely no idea I could be an actor. I’m not really much of a stage actor since I’m not great at memorizing scripts, but I would honestly say I’m not a bad improviser,” Streaper said.
The pair has been a part of the Dickens Fair for the last 17 seasons. “We just love it here. This is our tribe and people because we are all such good friends. Everybody has a good time,” Diaz said.
In addition to the street acts, the fair boasts live performances nearly every hour, all of which tell stories inspired by Dickens’ literature and the historical events of his era. Each performance is unique, incorporating elements of dancing, singing, instrument, comedy, and tragedy.
Exploring Victorian London for hours can work up an appetite, and fortunately, the Dickens Fair offers a variety of food options, from meat pies to plum pudding and refreshing cider.
For those looking to remember their experience, the fair has a wide selection of different shops and goods. Along with traditional Christmas decorations, shops sell unique Victorian items that are not commonly found in modern day stores. At The Ornamentalist booth, visitors can purchase flower crowns, which Queen Victoria wore herself throughout her reign.
After selling flower crowns at many different Renaissance Fairs, Katie Vardijan, manager of The Ornamentalist booth, considers the Dickens Fair one of her favorites. “It is very different from other fairs because of its creative and festive atmosphere,” Vardijan said. The owners of The Ornamentalist have been crafting these flower crowns for over 50 years, adding a sense of tradition and expertise to their beautiful creations.
Beyond shopping and shows, the fair also offers many interactive activities. Both kids and adults can give a hand at arts and crafts, from creating fairy houses to imprinting pendants. A fan-favorite activity is the Sherlock Holmes Puzzle Game, where guests must solve a series of riddles and clues to help crack a challenging mystery. Around the fair are clues that help solve the mystery.
For many, the Dickens Fair is an annual holiday tradition. Selene Leing has been attending the fair since childhood. “It has always been a part of my life as long as I can remember,” Leing said. “I think there’s always something for someone. Even if you think it’s not gonna be for you, there’s something that will interest you.”
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