What to know for the 2024 Charles Dickens Festival in Port Jefferson

The Charles Dickens Festival in Port Jefferson is back for its 28th year.

Taking attendees back in time to the Victorian era and the world of the beloved author, the two-day event draws in thousands of people from across the world. The 2024 festival kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 9 a.m. and runs until 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8. 

The event is produced by the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council.

What to know

GLI has rounded up some of the event’s highlights. Here’s what you should know before attending. 

• The event’s grand opening parade happens Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. on East Main Street.
• The Harbormaster’s building on West Broadway will house Tiny Tim’s Train Station (a spot for Toys-for-Tots donations).
• There will be a series of street plays and caroling groups, and street characters will roam about during the festival.
• Check out Theater Three’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol.”
• Dickensian-inspired fare will be on the menus of participating restaurants, as well as Dickensian-themed options for local holiday shopping. 
• The Village Center will be buzzing with concerts and entertainment throughout the weekend, complemented by the lavishly decorated “Festival of Trees.” This year, a new addition to the festival is ElfWorks, an interactive experience where busy elves demonstrate how Santa’s toys are made.
• A new attraction, Dickens Central, will debut in the lot just south of West Broadway, next to Kilwins. Sponsored by Northwell’s Mather Hospital, this area will feature a giant snow globe, a Dickens Festival information table, and photo opportunities with giant ghosts from “A Christmas Carol” as well as with Charles Dickens himself.
• The festival will end Sunday with the Pickwick’s Giant Puppet Parade at Village Hall. 

More

To see the full event schedule, click here.