Narberth Dickens Festival
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Sunday, December 3, 2023 - Noon to 4pm
The Narberth Dickens Festival is a free family event held each December on the streets of downtown Narberth. It draws thousands to this little borough every year, and it has become one of the most anticipated holiday festivals in the Philadelphia area. In this Dickens-themed event, the town of Narberth is transformed into 1840's London, as Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and all the characters from A Christmas Carol roam the streets for an afternoon.
There is entertainment and activities for all ages, including horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday crafts, carolers, period vendors and food, dancers, musicians, ballet performances, puppet shows, magicians, puppeteers, a free Dickens-themed scavenger hunt for children, and much more. Put on your top hat and come join the fun! Scrooge image from an original 2010 poster by Narberth artist, Ann Simon. |
The Narberth Dickens Festival is possible thanks to the hard work of many volunteers,
and the financial support of our community partner:
and the financial support of our community partner:
The 2022 Narberth Dickens Festival featured:
- Ebenezer Scrooge and all the characters from “A Christmas Carol”
- dozens of period-authentic costumed performers
- free scavenger hunt with free prizes for kids - 1pm to 3pm (Scavenger hunters can start the hunt any time between 1 and 3pm. You don't have to be finished by 3, but we can't start any new hunters after 3pm.)
- horse and carriage rides through the Narberth streets
- The "Men of Harmony" Dickensian carolers
- Waldron Mercy "Treblemakers" Choir
- Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School Chorale
- The Kingsessing Morris Men and the Fiddlekicks dancers
- Phydeaux’s Flying Flea Circus & Wahoo Medicine Show
- Professor Horn's Punch & Judy Puppet Show
- Castaways singing performances
- free craft activities for kids
- A "filibuster" reading of "A Christmas Carol" from 1-3pm at the Narberth Bookshop
- free showing of A Muppet Christmas Carol - at 11am at Reel Cinemas Narberth 2 (seating is limited to theater capacity)
- "The Nutcracker" excerpt performances at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet
- hot toddies from local establishments (21+ only)
- outdoor dance and musical performances
- hot chocolate in souvenir mugs
- period-inspired vendors and street food
the 2022 festival schedule
The 2022 Festival map from our newspaper, "The Fish Wrapper"
See the entire 2022 "London Fish Wrapper" newspaper here
Watch scenes from the 2012 Dickens Festival in this YouTube video from photographer, Don Groff:
Festival Information
What does it look like?
The theater, fun, and holiday cheer of recent Dickens Festivals has been captured by some wonderful local photographers, including Narberth native, Nicolai Fox, photographer & travel writer, Don Groff, and Narberth's own Alex Lowy. .
See Photo Gallery
See YouTube Videos
What does it look like?
The theater, fun, and holiday cheer of recent Dickens Festivals has been captured by some wonderful local photographers, including Narberth native, Nicolai Fox, photographer & travel writer, Don Groff, and Narberth's own Alex Lowy. .
See Photo Gallery
See YouTube Videos
Where is it?
The festival is spread over a few blocks in downtown Narberth, PA . There are things to see and do on N. Narberth Ave and the parking lot across from the movie theater, "The Hill" on Narberth Ave, Haverford Ave, Essex Avenue, and Forrest Ave. The main festival tents are stationed on Forrest Ave near the corner of Forrest Ave & Haverford Ave, and on N. Narberth Avenue, across the street from the movie theater. The carriage station is on Essex Ave.
Public transportation
The train is the best way to get to Narberth, and the station is right in the middle of the festival. Why worry about parking when 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 Sunday Septa schedule here. The trains stop in Narberth once an hour all day Sunday.
The festival is spread over a few blocks in downtown Narberth, PA . There are things to see and do on N. Narberth Ave and the parking lot across from the movie theater, "The Hill" on Narberth Ave, Haverford Ave, Essex Avenue, and Forrest Ave. The main festival tents are stationed on Forrest Ave near the corner of Forrest Ave & Haverford Ave, and on N. Narberth Avenue, across the street from the movie theater. The carriage station is on Essex Ave.
Public transportation
The train is the best way to get to Narberth, and the station is right in the middle of the festival. Why worry about parking when 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 Sunday Septa schedule here. The trains stop in Narberth once an hour all day Sunday.
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Parking
There is parking on streets near the festival, and the meters are free on Sunday. There is some parking South side of Narberth (but the Narberth Ave bridge will be closed) on the streets and in the Septa commuter lot, which is also free on Sundays. You can walk back to town through the train station underpass. These lots are also available:
Narberth Borough Hall (100 Conway Ave) Windsor Ave and Forrest Ave - lot accessible from Windsor Citizens Bank on Haverford Ave Elmwood Ave Septa lot on the other side of the train station St Margaret's School, on N. Narberth Ave |
What does it cost?
Thanks to generous donations of sponsorship dollars and manpower from members of the Narberth Business Association, and other Borough organizations, entrance into the festival and most of the activities are free. Carriage rides cost a Narberth Shilling (our $5 coin), and there are a few souvenirs for sale as well.
Thanks to generous donations of sponsorship dollars and manpower from members of the Narberth Business Association, and other Borough organizations, entrance into the festival and most of the activities are free. Carriage rides cost a Narberth Shilling (our $5 coin), and there are a few souvenirs for sale as well.
What should we do first?
- Start by getting your "passport" stamped at the Immigration station at the corner of Forrest & Haverford Avenues. The passport is a fun souvenir, but it is NOT necessary for the scavenger hunt or any other activities.
- While you're there at the Immigration Station, pick up a copy of The London Fish Wrapper, our festival newspaper. It lists the events of the day, with a map, and information about the scavenger hunt and everything else you need to know about the festival. It also has some funny stories based on real events that occurred in the 1840's.
- Buy some Shillings for the family to spend on carriage rides, souvenirs, food, and other items throughout the festival.
- Between 1-3pm, kids will want to get their tin beggars cup (across from the movie theater on Narberth Ave) to start the scavenger hunt
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The Narberth Shilling
The Narberth Shilling is a gold or bronze coin worth five American dollars on the day of the Narberth Dickens Festival. Many vendors and merchants throughout the town will accept this coin the same as cash today. You can exchange cash for shillings, and shillings for cash, all day at the currency exchange booths on Essex Ave and Forrest Ave. All Festival booths and many shops and vendors around town accept shillings. In fact, shillings are the only way to pay for carriage rides at the Narberth Dickens Festival. Buy some shillings when you get to the festival, and give a few to the kids. They will love having their own "festival money" to spend. And remember, kids can also earn a special bronze version of the shilling for completing the scavenger hunt! The bronze prize shilling is also worth $5, but is not redeemable for cash. So go spend it kids! |
The Scavenger Hunt: 1pm - 3pm
Children of all ages are invited to start the free scavenger hunt, between 1pm and 3pm at the scavenger hunt festival tent on Narberth Avenue (across from the movie theater). You don’t have to be finished by 3pm, but you must be started by 3pm. At the tent, we’ll give you a tin “beggars’ cup”. Your mission is to collect eight wooden nickels in your cup by performing festival tasks and finding Dickens characters roaming through the town. You are not in the game until you have your beggars cup! Bring 8 wooden nickels in your tin cup back to the scavenger hunt booth to receive your prize.
Successful hunters earn a Bronze Narberth Shilling (see above), which is enough to get them their choice of a carriage ride, hot chocolate, or any of the many other festival goodies. Or kids can spend the shilling at vendors and stores throughout the festival. The festival is worth $5 all afternoon, so kids choose their own prize! This bronze prize shilling is not redeemable for cash - so make sure to spend it during the Festival!
These are some of the Scavenger Hunt tasks can earn you a wooden nickel:
- Finding Dickens characters;
- Doing a craft at The Handwork Studio table
- Answering a riddle at Village Treats;
- Dancing with Mr. Fezziwig;
- Take a selfie at GET Cafe
- Find Father Christmas, and take a picture at Amaranth Florist at their new location on the Hill, on N Narberth Ave;
And, see the last page of the festival newspaper for more!
A Muppet Christmas Carol - Free Movie at the Narberth Movie Theater
Before the scavenger hunt starts, get into the spirit of the Dickens Festival with a free showing of A Muppet Christmas Carol at Reel Cinemas Narberth 2, the movie theater, on N. Narberth Ave. The 11am start time is perfect for kids who want to learn the the Dickens story before hitting the streets and searching for the characters. This Rated G movie is loved by adults and kids of all ages, and runs 89 minutes. Don't be late, because the theater will fill up fast, and seating is limited to theater capacity of 220 persons.
Nutcracker Storytime Performances
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, "on the hill" of N. Narberth Avenue Ave, will host three excerpt performances of a Nutcracker during the Festival. They start at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00.
Weather
This is a rain, snow, or shine event. It's a holiday festival in Pennsylvania, so a little winter weather goes with the territory! In the event of precipitation, vendors are permitted to use tents.
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 narberthonline@gmail.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.
Children of all ages are invited to start the free scavenger hunt, between 1pm and 3pm at the scavenger hunt festival tent on Narberth Avenue (across from the movie theater). You don’t have to be finished by 3pm, but you must be started by 3pm. At the tent, we’ll give you a tin “beggars’ cup”. Your mission is to collect eight wooden nickels in your cup by performing festival tasks and finding Dickens characters roaming through the town. You are not in the game until you have your beggars cup! Bring 8 wooden nickels in your tin cup back to the scavenger hunt booth to receive your prize.
Successful hunters earn a Bronze Narberth Shilling (see above), which is enough to get them their choice of a carriage ride, hot chocolate, or any of the many other festival goodies. Or kids can spend the shilling at vendors and stores throughout the festival. The festival is worth $5 all afternoon, so kids choose their own prize! This bronze prize shilling is not redeemable for cash - so make sure to spend it during the Festival!
These are some of the Scavenger Hunt tasks can earn you a wooden nickel:
- Finding Dickens characters;
- Doing a craft at The Handwork Studio table
- Answering a riddle at Village Treats;
- Dancing with Mr. Fezziwig;
- Take a selfie at GET Cafe
- Find Father Christmas, and take a picture at Amaranth Florist at their new location on the Hill, on N Narberth Ave;
And, see the last page of the festival newspaper for more!
A Muppet Christmas Carol - Free Movie at the Narberth Movie Theater
Before the scavenger hunt starts, get into the spirit of the Dickens Festival with a free showing of A Muppet Christmas Carol at Reel Cinemas Narberth 2, the movie theater, on N. Narberth Ave. The 11am start time is perfect for kids who want to learn the the Dickens story before hitting the streets and searching for the characters. This Rated G movie is loved by adults and kids of all ages, and runs 89 minutes. Don't be late, because the theater will fill up fast, and seating is limited to theater capacity of 220 persons.
Nutcracker Storytime Performances
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, "on the hill" of N. Narberth Avenue Ave, will host three excerpt performances of a Nutcracker during the Festival. They start at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00.
Weather
This is a rain, snow, or shine event. It's a holiday festival in Pennsylvania, so a little winter weather goes with the territory! In the event of precipitation, vendors are permitted to use tents.
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 narberthonline@gmail.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.
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©2017 Narberth Business Association | Photography courtesy of Don Groff, rights reserved ©2017 Donald D Groff
