Franklin’s Dickens of a Christmas celebration is happening next weekend! This annual event is a tradition for Historic Downtown Franklin, as the town travels back into the Victorian era to celebrate the free, holiday-themed street festival. This year’s event is expected to attract nearly 50,000 visitors.
More than 250 volunteers participate in the event, dressed and acting as characters from Dickens’ stories. Come at any time throughout the weekend-long event to enjoy a meet-and-greet with Ebenezer Scrooge, Marley, Tiny Tim Cratchit and his family and others including Father Christmas himself.
Anyone is invited to join the fun by showing up in costume and engaging with the characters on the street! Or, just come as you are and enjoy a beautifully preserved Main Street with more than 70 unique shopping and dining destinations in the 15-block National Register Historic District.
Franklin’s Dickens of a Christmas is set to happen next Saturday and Sunday, December 14-15. Activities slated to be happening during the weekend include:
- Horse-drawn carriage rides around the Public Square for $2 per person.
A holiday bazaar arts & crafts area encircles Franklin’s charming Public Square.- Dancers and street musicians on Main Street throughout the event. Violinists, hand bell choirs, harpists, carolers and even a water harmonica player all add to the entertaining street scene.
- Costumed characters from Dickens’ stories interacting with visitors on the street. Scrooge bellows his “Bah! Humbug” while the Cratchit Family parades the streets with Tiny Tim. Ghosts of Christmas Past and Future make regular appearances. Urchins under the direction of the nefarious Fagin from Dicken’s Oliver pester English Bobbies (who are actually Franklin Police Officers on duty in costume). Father and Mother Christmas delight children.
- Victorian treats abound, from authentic fish ‘n’ chips to turkey legs, roasted nuts, kettle corn, roasted corn, roasted pork, sausages and sugar plums.
- A Town Sing starting at the Public Square at the town Christmas tree at 4:30 p.m. Sunday with candles ($1 donation requested) and song sheets
For more information about this fun, family friendly and Christmas-themed event, visit the website here.