Dickens Village Festival

About the Event

Join us for the Dickens Village Festival!

Garrison’s Dickens Village Festival will delight and entertain families from across North Dakota, eastern Montana and southern Canada. The event turns a community of 1,500 into a quaint Victorian town from the era of Charles Dickens’.

Schedule of Events:

Entertainment Schedule: KOTA Theater, Main Street.

Third Weekend Entertainment:

3 p.m.: The Traveling Opry Show featuring Becky Schlegel
$35 + taxes & fees

7 p.m.: George Strait Tribute: Strait Country
$45 + taxes & fees

Noon - 7 p.m: Welcome Center at the City Auditorium - Each day of the Festival. Check out our daily schedules full of information to help you plan your day. Write a London Telegram postcard and we'll mail it for you, press your Dickens penny, or enjoy the Dickens photo cut-out.

Noon - 7 p.m: Piccadilly Square - City Auditorium - Each day of the Festival. A unique shopping experience with twenty plus crafters selling gifts and holiday treats along with Cratchit's Cafe.

Dickens Store - Purchase a souvenir from the festival, many straight from London, to take home or for gifts! Located in the Piccadilly Square.

1-2 p.m and 6-7 p.m: Live Entertainment - Piccadilly Square, Each day of the festival enjoy hometown talent. This event is Free thanks to RTC Networks.

Friday's Noon-6 p.m and Saturday's 10-6 p.m: Friends of Library Book Sale - Piccadilly Square, Each day of the festival get a bargain of a deal with this famous book sale!

1 p.m - 5 p.m: Carriage Rides - Each day of the Festival, weather permitting, NE of the Auditorium at 1 Central Ave E. Free, thanks to our sponsor RTC Networks.

1:00, 2:30, 3:30, 4:00. 5:00 and 6:30 p.m: Doubledecker Bus Rides - The 1:00p.m. trip (an hour long) goes to the Fort Stevenson Guardhouse to view historical and heritage displays. The 2:30, 3:30 & 4:00 p.m. rides are a short tour around town. The 5 p.m. ride includes being part of the lighted parade on Main Street. The 6:30 p.m. is a 30-minute ride to view lighted homes; riders will be dropped off at the theater. ($3 for each passenger who requires a seat, purchase tickets at the Ticket Center). Bus tickets are only available at the Ticket Center on the day of the ride. Tickets can't be purchased in advance.

9 a.m - 7 p.m: Tinsel and Treats (Every Day) Garrison Lamplighters, 1/2 Block west of Auditorium. Enjoy a festival of trees decorated by local organizations, businesses, and individuals; vote for your favorite. Enjoy free coffee & hot chocolate; also cinnamon rolls, caramel rolls, chili, pumpkin bars, & kuchen for purchase from the Garrison Lamplighters. Warming house & restrooms available here also.

12 p.m - 4 p.m: Quilt Show (Every Day) At the Cubby Hole, across the street (W) from Piccadilly Square. View Quilts made by the local Piecemaker's Quilt Guild Members. Purchase tickets to vote for your favorite quilts.

Noon - 4 p.m: Top It Off With Style - Children’s Top Hat Decorating (Every Day). Pick up your top hat kit & head upstairs at the ND Firefighter's Museum to decorate. Free to children under 18 years.

2:30 p.m: Dickens Story Time at the Library (Nov. 24 & 25, Dec. 2 & 9) - Join us at the Garrison Public Library (located in Piccadilly Square) at 2:30pm for a children's Christmas story. One lucky winner will walk away with a free copy of the book of the day! Also, enjoy a small kids craft. This event is free of charge.

2 p.m - 6 p.m: Kid's Corner at Evangel Church (Every Day) - Grab a table, coffee or hot chocolate and let your kids enjoy activities like a bounce house and play gym for toddlers, coloring for everyone, and snap a polaroid in costumes with the whole family!

4:00 p.m. until the last cup is sold: Street Food Vendors - Main Street. From Buffalo Swedish Meatballs & Sausage on a Stick to Rice Pudding & Homemade Soups, a variety of yummy foods are available from non-profit organizations.

5:30 p.m: Lighted Parade - Main Street. It's the 31st year celebration. Here is the entry form.

Deck the House Christmas Light Contest: Every day after dusk starting in December. Pick up a map at the ticket center to vote!

Dickens Event Geocache - Twelve unique hand carved wooden ornaments will be hidden randomly throughout Fort Stevenson State Park. GPS coordinates for each ornament will be posted at geocaching.com. Locate an ornament and log your find at the Park Visitors Center to claim $5.00. If you don't have a GPS unit, stop at the park office for a loaner unit. Check out the details here.

12:30 - 5 p.m: Historic/Heritage Side Trip - Fort Stevenson Guardhouse, Fort Stevenson State Park, 3½ miles south of Garrison. View the displays and murals and learn about life during the days of the original fort.

Dickens Photo Contest - Send in your favorite photos taken during the festival. Check out the Gazette for Photo Opportunities. Submit up to 5 photos by emailing dickens@dickensfestival.com or mailing to PO Box 521 Garrison, ND 58540. Photos must be received by December 22nd to be eligible. All photos submitted are subject to being used for publication & promotional material and will become property of the Dickens Village Festival Committee.

Victorian Christmas Tea Tasting: At the Victorian tea tasting you will sip several holiday teas from Steep Me a cup of tea while learning about Victorian tea history and etiquette. A delightful way to enjoy your holiday season and learn about Victorian times.

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