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Strolling carolers, costumed characters and old-world charm will fill the streets of Port Jefferson once again when the Charles Dickens Festival returns this weekend, Dec. 6-7.
Now in its 29th year, the beloved holiday celebration — presented by Northwell’s Mather Hospital and organized by the Port Jefferson Arts Council — draws visitors from near and far to experience the village as a living Victorian stage.
What to expect
New this year is The Charles Dickens Creative Study, debuting alongside the Festival of Trees on the second floor of the Port Jefferson Village Center. Presented by the State Farm Stephanie Sgroi Agency, the display features a lavishly decorated photo set with four giant Christmas Carol ghosts.
Santa will also return in his green-velvet chair to greet families at Santa Claus Central inside the First United Methodist Church, while Mrs. Cratchit’s Craftworks upstairs will invite children to create their own keepsake ornaments.
Outside, Dickens Central will be set up in the parking lot next to Kilwins on West Broadway, complete with a walk-in snow globe presented by Mather Hospital, an information table, and photo ops with Charles Dickens himself.
At the Harbormaster’s Building across from Village Hall, Tiny Tim’s Train Station — created by the Reed Family Train Project and serving as a Toys for Tots drop-off spot — will once again dazzle guests. The display is supported by a consortium of sponsors including Chick-fil-A and Salerno Brokerage Corp.
The festival streets will be filled with Dickensian characters and roving performers, courtesy of The Rinx, and live entertainment throughout the weekend at local churches and halls supported by Stony Brook University.
Theatre Three will continue its holiday tradition with A Christmas Carol, joined by concerts, a Christmas Carol radio show, and performances at Copperfield Hall inside the Methodist Church.
Two parades will bookend the festivities — one at 11 a.m. Saturday to kick off the weekend, and another at 5 p.m. Sunday to close it out.
Organizers said the festival honors the enduring legacy of Charles Dickens, whose timeless tales of humanity and redemption — from A Tale of Two Cities to A Christmas Carol — continue to inspire generations.
Click here for the full schedule and map of venues.
Top: Locals dressed in period garb perform throughout Port Jefferson each year at Dickens Fest, as shown here in 2024. (Credit: Andrew Theodorakis/GLI file pohto)
