Dickens on Centre – Fernandina Beach, Florida

Travel back in time as our beautiful, historic downtown is transformed into a Victorian Christmas wonderland!  The week of December 9-12, 202, the seventh annual Dickens on Centre festival will be held in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida and there will be activities galore.  There is no entry cost to enjoy this event.

The Victorian inspired holiday festival is sure to enliven your Christmas spirit. Throughout the weekend feel the spirit of the holiday with Victorian-inspired entertainment on two stages. You’ll be able to enjoy costumed characters, themed entertainment, visits from Saint Nick, and a variety of vendors selling seasonal ware all Inspired by Charles Dickens’ novella, “A Christmas Carol,”

Make sure to dress in a Victorian era costume!

Schedule of events: schedule-of-events.png (700×2000) (ameliaisland.com)

There will also be Christmas movies playing all throughout the event. Find the schedule here: Dickens-Movie-Schedule.aspx (467×1000) (ameliaisland.com)

All Week Long: 

Dickens Dining Week (Dickens Dining – Amelia Island, Florida)

Enjoy Dickens themed and Victorian inspired menus at some of your favorite Island hot spots.  Participating restaurants will include The Amelia Tavern, Story and Song Bistro, The newly opened Beech Street Grill along with several others.Check the website for all the dining options that will be offered.

Friday through Sunday:

Dickens Enchanted Village Dickens Enchanted Village – Amelia Island, Florida

Tickets required, buy them here: Enchanted Village Registration – Amelia Island, Florida

Friday, December 10th, 5 pm – 9 pm

Saturday, December 11th, 11 am – 9 pm

Sunday, December 12th, 10:30 am – 7 pm

New to Dickens on Center this year, experience the magic of being inside a snow globe!

Reserve your spot for this exclusive picnic experience that will bring the magic of Christmas snow globes alive. Enjoy a specially curated charcuterie picnic from Luxe Picnics by Les and special add ons like a cupcake kit from Breakable Hearts.

The Details:

• One hour in a private dome decorated in a unique holiday theme. Pick your slot and reserve your space! The base price is for 2 adults but each dome can accommodate up to 6 people.

• Base price – $150 for 2 adults. 
  • Up to 4 additional people can be added – $55 per adult (13+ yrs), $20 per child (4-12 yrs).  Children under 3 and under are free.
• Pre-fixe gourmet charcuterie board with a combination of hot and cold items.  A luxe child-friendly charcuterie is available for children in your group.  

Thursday, December 9th

6 pm – 8 pm

The 2nd Annual Dickens Illuminated Procession walking parade will open the Dickens on Centre festival. Participation is free and open to all visitors and community members alike! Folks and food trucks will begin gathering at 5:30pm near the Welcome Center (old train depot) on Front Street. At 6pm, parade-goers and their lanterns will enjoy a leisurely stroll up Ash Street and into Fernandina’s historic district before turning down Centre Street back to the waterfront, where they will be greeted by music, food trucks, and general holiday merriment!  Fireworks will be the finale to the Illuminated Procession and will launch at 7pm sharp from the river.  

  Friday, December 10th

      5 pm – 9 pm

Enjoy all the fun and magic of the Dickens Christmas village.

  Families can enjoy a plethora of fun including Tiny Tim’s Kids Zone, visits with St. Nick, holiday entertainment and shopping, festive food and drink, costumed characters, holiday movies and plenty of Christmas inspiration. 

Saturday, December 11th   –     Festival is open from 10am – 9 pm

Run Like the Dickens

8:30 am – 9:30 am

Registration ends Dec. 10

Sign up fee is $20

Run Like the Dickens (runsignup.com)

Parade of Paws

11 am at the Welcome Depot downtown

Join the 20th annual Parade of Paws! Pre-register at NHS Adoption Center, Dog Park, Second Chance and The Closet Resale Shops and Redbones Dog Bakery.

$20 per pet, all proceeds go to helping the animals of Nassau Humane Society.

Dress your pet (and yourself if you so choose) in your Holiday Best and Parade with us on Centre Street.

Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, Looks most like owner, Cutest Personality, Most Original Costume, and Best Victorian Costume.

Prizes generously donated by Redbones Dog Bakery

Dickens After Dark

5pm-9pm

The Lesesne House, located at  415 Centre Street

• Tickets will be $100 per person.  Must be 21 years or older, ID’s will be checked at the door.
• Join in on an exclusive party of the holiday season at the historic Lesesne House on Centre Street in downtown Fernandina Beach. The entertainment during Dickens After Dark is not for the faint of heart! Watch an adults-only, whimsical version of Alice in a Christmas Wonderland accompanied by live musical entertainment and acrobatic performances.

With your participation (and a drink or two), your entertainment is practically GUARANTEED.  This signature performance is produced by the one and only Jason Woods.

Your Ticket Includes: 

• Complimentary heavy hors d’oeuvres and open beer & wine bar for two hours.
• First glimpse of the Lesesne House, one of the oldest historic homes in Fernandina Beach. The classic revival residence built in 1860 and recently restored by THE SALTMARSH HOSPITALITY GROUP, will be decorated in festive holiday decor.
• Entertainment including music, aerial acrobatics with Kristin Sparrow, “Alice in a Christmas Wonderland” performed by Jason Woods acting troupe, jugglers, and more!
• ​Historic Ghost Tour led by the Amelia Island Museum of History.

Sunday, December 12th

The events of the day start at 10:30 am with the last event (closing ceremonies) starting at 6:30 pm. There will be performances by local singers, choirs, dance performances,  photos with St. Nick, a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and much more.The closing ceremony will include a Victorian costume contest, Light Up Centre Street and more. Check the schedule here: schedule-of-events.png (700×2000) (ameliaisland.com)

Want to dress up and join in on the fun?

Here are some costume suggestions from AmeliaIsland.com

GENTLEMEN

Victorian Hats:  Top hats, pork pie caps, flat/wide brimmed hats, round top hat with curved brim, etc.

Shirts:  Plain white shirts with collar turned up or with ribbon, scarf or cravat tied in a knot at the neck.

Vest:  Brocade or silk with or without a jacket.  Long-tailed jackets and even capes are acceptable.

Pants:  Roll up wool, corduroy, cotton pants in black, tan, burgandy or grey color with rubber band in the last roll below the knee to give a knickers effect.  Wear knickers if you have them or wear long dark socks and pull them up to tuck under pants.

Accessories:  Suspenders, walking sticks, canes, spectacles.

Shoes:  Black or dark-colored dress shoes.

LADIES:

Victorian Hats: Bonnets, cover a straw or felt hat with lace, flowers, feathers, ribbons and bows. Domestic servants wore mop caps in the Victorian era.

Tops: Plain white or solid color ladies dress shirts with lace, ruffle, ribbon and flowers.  You can tie a thin piece of ribbon in a bow and pin/tie it at the neck with a brooch or artificial flower.  

Gloves: Lace, crocheted, satin and cotton.  

Skirt:  Floor or ankle-length skirts in silk, brocade, velvet, satin or cotton.  Most colors and some subtle designs (such as paisley.  If the skirt is full, you can add a petticoat or hoop skirt under it.  Wide ribbon or matching material tied around the waist with a bow in the back creates the look of a cumberbund.

Shoes:  If you have a floor-length gown, wear a comfortable walking shoe.  If your shoes will show, pointy-toed flats or boots. 

content research provided by Leah Jones