Thanks for a great 2012 Dickens Festival!  Here are some pictures and video from local photographer, Don Groff:

The Narberth Dickens Festival

December 8, 2012,  Noon - 4pm

The Narberth Dickens Festival is a free family event held each December on the streets of downtown Narberth.  It draws thousands to Narberth every year, and it has become the fastest-growing holiday festival in the Philadelphia area.  In this Dickens-themed event, the town of Narberth is transformed into 1840's London, as Ebeneezer Scrooge and all the characters from A Christmas Carol roam the streets for an afternoon. 

There are activities for all ages, including a free and extremely popular scavenger hunt for the children, which sends them searching high and low for Dickens characters in order to win a prize.  The Victorian top hat prizes are worn proudly all afternoon by hundreds of kids throughout Narberth's festive downtown.  Hats from previous years are often adorned with Dickens Fest commemorative pins. 

The 2012 Narberth Dickens Festival includes:

• Ebeneezer Scrooge and all the characters from “A Christmas Carol”
• dozens of period-authentic costumed performers
• free scavenger hunt & free prize for kids - 1pm to 3pm or while prize supplies last
• horse and carriage rides through the Narberth streets
• professional musicians
• authentic Victorian carolers
• free craft activities for kids 
• professional ice sculpting display
• free showing of A Muppet Christmas Carol - on two screens at 11am  at Narberth Stadium 2 on N. Narberth Ave  
• free "Nutcracker" dance performances from the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm
• Dickens "tattoos" and face painting for kids 
• 3 free hot toddies from local establishments (one from each) in any souvenir mug
• free first cup of coffee or hot chocolate in any souvenir tin cup, plus drink and soup discounts all day 
• period-authentic vendors and street food 

FAQ

What does it look like? 

See 2011 Gallery

See 2010 Slideshow and Video

See 2009 Slideshow

Where is it?

The festival is spread over a few blocks of downtown Narberth.  The main festival tents are stationed at the corner of Forrest Ave & Haverford Ave, Narberth PA.  (See map)

What does it cost?

Thanks to the generous donation of sponsorship dollars and manpower from the members of the Narberth Business Association, entrance into the festival and most of the activities are free.  Carriage rides cost $5, and there are a few souvenirs for sale as well.  

Public transportation

Narberth is just three stops from 30th street station on the Paoli/Thorndale (R-5) regional rail line.  If you are coming from Philly, or from other spots on the Main Line, check the Saturday Septa schedule here.

Parking

There is metered and unmetered parking on streets near the festival.  There are also lots at Narberth Borough Hall (100 Conway Ave), behind Citizens Bank on Haverford Ave, in the Elmwood Ave Septa lot on the other side of the train station, and next to St Margaret's School.  

 From 1pm to 3pm during the festival, or while prizes last, children of all ages can come to the main booth at the corner of Forrest and Haverford Ave to begin the scavenger hunt.    We have top hats and two different festival pins for prizes.   So kids who already have top hats are encouraged to wear them down to the festival and decorate them with one of the colorful pins! 

Ballet Performances

The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, "on the hill" of N. Narberth Avenue Ave, will host three performances during the Festival.  On the hour at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, the double feature performances will begin with a ten-minute warm-up performance.  This will be followed by a twenty minute excerpt from the Academy's performance of a Nutcracker Suite.

Rain Date

The 2012 Festival is on!  It looks like the worst of the weather has passed us.  If the weather is ever too bad to proceed, we'll hold the festival the next day, which is a Sunday.

How do I get involved?

If you are interested in getting involved, as a performer, vendor or volunteer, e-mail the Narberth Business Association at info@narberthonline.com. 

If I'm already involved, what do I need to know?

Make sure you have your costume ready, and that you have any tables, tents, or props you need.  If you need a costume, we can rent one for you inexpensively.