Narberth Dickens Festival
Sunday, December 2, 2018 - 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 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 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, ice sculptors, a free Dickens-themed scavenger hunt for children, and much more.
Put on your top hat and come join the fun!
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, ice sculptors, a free Dickens-themed scavenger hunt for children, and much more.
Put on your top hat and come join the fun!
2017 Narberth Dickens Festival featured:
- Ebenezer Scrooge and all the characters from “A Christmas Carol”
- dozens of period-authentic costumed performers
- free scavenger hunt & free prizes for kids - 1pm to 3pm
- horse and carriage rides through the Narberth streets
- professional brass musicians
- The "Men of Harmony" Dickensian carolers
- Waldron Mercy "Treblemakers" Choir
- Horn's Punch & Judy Puppet Show (www.hornspunch.com)
- The Kingsessing Morris Men
- Ari Paul the Entertainer
- Phydeaux’s Flying Flea Circus & Wahoo Medicine Show
- free craft activities for kids
- professional ice sculpting display
- free showing of A Muppet Christmas Carol - at 11am at Reel Cinemas Narberth 2 (seating is limited to theater capacity)
- free "Nutcracker" dance performances from the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet
- hot toddies from local establishments
- outdoor dance and musical performances
- hot chocolate in souvenir mugs
- period-authentic vendors and street food
Here is the "Events of the Day" page from the 2017 festival newspaper, "The Fish Wrapper"
Here is the Map from the festival newspaper, "The Fish Wrapper"
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, and photographer & travel writer, Don Groff.
See Photo Gallery
See 2010 Slideshow and Video
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, and photographer & travel writer, Don Groff.
See Photo Gallery
See 2010 Slideshow and Video
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 a great 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 a great 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.
Parking
There is parking on streets near the festival, and the meters are free on Sunday. There is some parking South side of Narberth (across the Narberth Ave bridge) 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.
There is parking on streets near the festival, and the meters are free on Sunday. There is some parking South side of Narberth (across the Narberth Ave bridge) 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.
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These lots are also available:
Narberth Borough Hall (100 Conway Ave) Keating Building Lot, across from the Narberth Movie Theater Windsor Ave and Forrest Ave - two lots available from Windsor Ave side 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 Narberth Presbyterian Church, on Windsor Ave |
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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.
- While you're there, 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.
- Once your passport is stamped, you'll want to buy a bag of 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
The Narberth Shilling
The Narberth Shilling is a gold 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 not redeemable for cash.
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 seven 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 back 7 wooden nickels in your tin cup to receive your prize.
Successful hunters earn a Bronze Narberth Shilling (see above), which is enough to get them their choice of a top hat, festival pin, 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 prize! This bronze prize shilling is not redeemable for cash - so spend it!
These Scavenger Hunt tasks can earn you a wooden nickel:
Finding Dickens characters;
Doing a craft at The Handwork Studio
Painting a nutcracker at Swan Dancewear;
Stick your face in the ice sculpture on Narberth Ave (carving happens at 12:30);
Singing Jingle Bells at Fuzion;
Making a "choice" at Village Treats;
Dancing with Mr. Fezziwig;
Donating a toy at the Toys for Tots table;
Taking your picture in Nannygoat Alley; and
Also, get a wooden nickel when you buy something from Old Joe, or any of these shops:
Ricklin's
Sweet Mabel
Swan Dancewear
Character Development
Narberth Bookshop
Fuzion
Le Petit Mitron
Nannygoat Antiques
Twice as Nice
EZ Phone Repair
The Pottery Corner
American Family Market
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 Narberth Stadium 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.
Ballet Performances
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, "on the hill" of N. Narberth Avenue Ave, will host three performances during the Festival. They start at 12:30, 2:00 and 3:30. The studio also features some storytelling by kid-favorite storyteller, Rochelle Longwill from Livin' Large Literature. This year's story is "How I Became a Pirate", at 1:15 and 2:45.
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 info@narberthonline.com. The vendor application is here.
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.
The Narberth Shilling is a gold 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 not redeemable for cash.
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 seven 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 back 7 wooden nickels in your tin cup to receive your prize.
Successful hunters earn a Bronze Narberth Shilling (see above), which is enough to get them their choice of a top hat, festival pin, 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 prize! This bronze prize shilling is not redeemable for cash - so spend it!
These Scavenger Hunt tasks can earn you a wooden nickel:
Finding Dickens characters;
Doing a craft at The Handwork Studio
Painting a nutcracker at Swan Dancewear;
Stick your face in the ice sculpture on Narberth Ave (carving happens at 12:30);
Singing Jingle Bells at Fuzion;
Making a "choice" at Village Treats;
Dancing with Mr. Fezziwig;
Donating a toy at the Toys for Tots table;
Taking your picture in Nannygoat Alley; and
Also, get a wooden nickel when you buy something from Old Joe, or any of these shops:
Ricklin's
Sweet Mabel
Swan Dancewear
Character Development
Narberth Bookshop
Fuzion
Le Petit Mitron
Nannygoat Antiques
Twice as Nice
EZ Phone Repair
The Pottery Corner
American Family Market
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 Narberth Stadium 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.
Ballet Performances
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, "on the hill" of N. Narberth Avenue Ave, will host three performances during the Festival. They start at 12:30, 2:00 and 3:30. The studio also features some storytelling by kid-favorite storyteller, Rochelle Longwill from Livin' Large Literature. This year's story is "How I Became a Pirate", at 1:15 and 2:45.
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 info@narberthonline.com. The vendor application is here.
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.
©2017 Narberth Business Association | Photography courtesy of Don Groff, rights reserved ©2017 Donald D Groff
