Hear Ye! Hear Ye! As fall sheds its leafy coat in preparation for winter, the second weekend in December once again plays host to the beloved Village of Port Jefferson Charles Dickens Festival. Celebrating the event’s 24th Anniversary, the cherished traditions and spectacular new additions will add a sparkle and a smile to the over 25,000 visitors participating in this marvelous weekend. The Festival will take place throughout the Village of Port Jefferson on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, 2019 and a splendid time is guaranteed for all.
“Each year the production team at the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council sifts through a virtual potpourri of ideas fashioned to make each Dickens Festival more spectacular than the previous year’s offering,” says Allan Varela, chair of the Arts Council. “This year will feature a show-stopping presentation of the new giant puppets appearing in the grand closing Pickwick’s Puppet Parade. These creations will present an unforgettable spectral spectacle that will thrill both the young and young at heart. The new puppets will join the long list of cherished events around the Village that make each year’s Festival a family favorite.”
The breathtaking Festival of Trees presents 20 Christmas trees decorated to the nines by participating sponsors yielding a Hollywood-level experience throughout the month of December. Be on the lookout for the engaging “Mrs. Cratchet’s Holiday Cookies & Crafts” event that features a wide variety of small craft and cookie kits for families to purchase and put together in time for the holiday season. Mrs. Cratchet’s and the Festival of Trees are found at the Port Jefferson Village Center.
The whimsical Santa’s Workshop, an incredible tribute to Christmas of yesteryear, created by the celebrated confection artist Pat Darling, should be on every person’s “must see” list because this magical presentation is not to be missed. Look for it on the corner of Barnum and West Broadway. Oliver Twist’s Artisan Square, located in the parking lot by the intersection of Main Street and East and West Broadway, features skilled crafts people demonstrating how hand-crafted works were made during Victorian England. The Harbor Master’s building on West Broadway is the home to the wonderful Tiny Tim’s Train Station (a Toys-for-Tots location), presented by the Reed Family Train Project, which showcases multiple highly decorated train tables with model trains of all types coursing around the room
Rounding out the weekend are the involving performances of our roving troupe of over 130 Dickens’ Street Characters. From enacting Dickensian skits at the various “natural” outdoor stages around the Village to groups of costumed players visiting local restaurants singing carols, the volunteer core of performers, both area students and professional actors, bring Victorian England alive. Horse and Carriage rides circle the Village, while area churches are alive with musical presentations. Theatre Three presents “A Christmas Carol,” the Harbor Ballet offers “The Nutcracker,” the Masonic Lodge hosts a magic show, Little Folks Music and Fezziwig’s Dance Party featuring traditional Contra Dancing.
The Charles Dickens Festival is sure to delight the Scroogiest of curmudgeons.
 |
Santa’s Workshop front room – Sue Orifici
 |
First Look at Marley’s Ghost’s head…
(Betcha’ can’t wait to see the finished Marley, Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future giant puppets)
 |
Horse and Carriage on Dickens Alley – Kathianne Snaden
 |
Our World-Famous Chimney Sweeps – Glenn Tinnie
Other articles you may be interested in | ||
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
Stay in the KNOW with Mt Sinai Macaroni Kid, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter! Get social with us!
Do you have an event you want to be listed? Submit your information HERE! | ||
