Great Dickens Christmas Fair has reached its final weekends at Daly City’s Cow Palace. This beloved annual event drops you into Victorian London, brought to life by hundreds of costumed players and a plethora of shops, stages, pubs, parties, and memorable performances. The iconic family-friendly fair opens on November 23 through December 22 in Daly City.
This holiday event started in the 1970s and celebrates the world of writer Charles Dickens, author of A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, and other literary classics. The Fair features experiences and characters inspired by and plucked directly from Dickens’ novels, including Father Christmas, Mad Sal, Mr. Dickens himself, and his Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
This year brings some new drinking experiences, including the Jekyll and Hyde Pub Crawl mystery, in which guests can try five different custom “elixirs” at various drinking establishments; and Port and Chocolate Tasting 4 times a day at the Green Man Inn.
Guests can enjoy a spectrum of performances across multiple stages, including Irish singers, English pantomimes, Bedouin belly dancers, and juggling. This is also a great time to do some holiday shopping because there will be over 100 shops and vendors selling fine crafts. This year, the fair is adding a new luxurious experience: a festive Champagne tasting. Finally, the Sherlock Holmes Experience is back in popular demand for those who want to try a delightful new puzzle.
Costumes play a huge role in the overall experience but don’t feel bad if you don’t want to hunt down a waistcoat or bonnet. Victorian costumes aren’t required but are warmly welcomed. Their costume guide and policies is a must-read before you attend, with plenty of dos and don’ts regarding your attire.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is held on weekends from Nov. 23-Dec. 22 from 10 am-6 pm. The fair will occur at the Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City, CA. General admission all-day adult tickets are $45, and youth tickets (under 13) are $25. You can also count on discounted Twilight tickets after 3 pm.
Written by Grant MacHamer, Jamie Ferrell, and Dana Flynn