SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Nov. 24-25; Dec. 1-2; Dec. 8-9, 2023
Please note this is a tentative schedule and revisions may occur prior to the event.

Make planning your day at the festival easier with these daily schedules!
​Fri, Nov. 24     Sat, Nov. 25     Fri, Dec. 1     Sat, Dec. 2     Fri, Dec. 8     Sat, Dec. 9

View the go-to guide to the festival: 2023 Dickens Gazette (coming soon!) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment Schedule, KOTA Theater, Main Street. 

ALL PRICES BELOW ARE FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT ONLY
 

First Weekend Entertainment: 

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Second Weekend Entertainment:

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Third Weekend Entertainment:

TO BE ANNOUNCED  

 

   
 

Ticket Center (All Tickets Sold Here) at the CVB/ ND Firefighter's Museum - (Friday's Noon-7 p.m. Saturday's 10 a.m.-7 p.m.) -  Open for tickets to: doubledecker rides, entertainment, and play tickets, also serves as a warming house upstairs during the festival.

Welcome Center at the City Auditorium - (Fridays: Noon–7 p.m. & Saturdays: 10a.m.-7 p.m.) - Check out our daily schedules full of information to help you plan your day. Write a London Telegram postcard and we'll mail it for you, press your Dickens penny, or enjoy the Dickens photo cut-out.

Piccadilly Square - City Auditorium (Fridays: Noon–7 p.m. & Saturdays: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.) – A unique shopping experience with twenty plus crafters selling gifts and holiday treats along with Cratchit's Cafe.

Dickens Store - Purchase a souvenir from the festival, many straight from London, to take home or for gifts! Located in the Piccadilly Square.

Live Entertainment - Piccadilly Square (1-2 p.m. & 6-7 p.m.), Each day of the festival enjoy hometown talent.

Friends of Library Book Sale - Piccadilly Square (Friday's Noon-6 p.m. & Saturday's 10-6 p.m.), Each day of the festival get a bargain of a deal with this famous book sale!

Carriage Rides – (1 p.m.-5 p.m.) Each day of the Festival, weather permitting, NE of the Auditorium at 1 Central Ave E. FREE, thanks to our sponsor RTC Networks.

Doubledecker Bus Rides - (1:00, 2:30, 3:30, 5:00 and 6:30 p.m.) The 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. trips (each hour) go to the Fort Stevenson Guardhouse to view historical and heritage displays. The 2:30 p.m. ride is a 30-minute tour around town.  The 5 p.m. ride includes being part of the lighted parade on Main Street. The 6:30 p.m. is a 30-minute ride to view lighted homes; riders will be dropped off at the theater. ($3 for each passenger who requires a seat, purchase tickets at the Ticket Center).

Tinsel & Treats - (9 a.m.-7 p.m., Every Day) Garrison Lamplighters, 1/2 Block west of Auditorium.  Enjoy a festival of trees decorated by local organizations, businesses, and individuals; vote for your favorite.  Enjoy free coffee & hot chocolate; also cinnamon rolls, caramel rolls, chili, pumpkin bars, & kuchen for purchase from the Garrison Lamplighters.  Warming house available here also.
Quilts & Cuppa Tea - (12 p.m.- 4 p.m., Every Day) At the Cubby Hole, across the street (W) from Piccadilly Square.  View Quilts made by the local Piecemaker's Quilt Guild Members  while enjoying a cuppa genuine London tea for $3.  Purchase tickets to vote for your favorite quilts. 
Top It Off With Style - Children’s Top Hat Decorating, noon-4 p.m., Every Day.  Pick up your top hat kit & head upstairs at the ND Firefighter's Museum to decorate. Free to children under 18 years.
Dickens Story Time at the Library - (2:30 p.m., Nov.26, Dec. 2,3,9 & 10) Join us at the Garrison Public Library (located in Piccadilly Square) at 2:30pm for a children's Christmas story. One lucky winner will walk away with a free copy of the book of the day! Also, enjoy a small kids craft. This event is free of charge. 
  Kid's Corner at Evangel Church - (Fridays: 2-7:00 p.m. & Saturdays: 12-7:00 p.m.)  Located on Main Street, come in to warm up and enjoy treats, coffee, Grinch milk, a photo booth, food and entertainment (starting at 5 p.m.). 
 

Fezziwig's Feast - (5:30 p.m. Social, 6:00 p.m. Meal at Cubby Hole, Saturdays Only)
Enjoy a three-course gourmet meal by Lenore's Catering and Outdoor's along with Hometown's Beer & Wine Tasting.  Limited attendance &  reserved tickets, price TBD, for purchase in advance online or remainder at Ticket Center.  Must be 21 or older.

Saturday, Nov. 25 Meal: TO BE ANNOUNCED
Saturday, Dec. 2 Meal: TO BE ANNOUNCED
Saturday, Dec. 9 Meal: TO BE ANNOUNCED

Street Food Vendors – (4:30 p.m. until the last cup is sold)  Main Street.  From Buffalo Swedish Meatballs & Sausage on a Stick to Rice Pudding & Homemade Soups, a variety of yummy foods are available from non-profit organizations.
Lighted Parade – Main Street. (5:30 p.m.) Dickens Festival Committee is sponsoring hot chocolate during the parade. Here is the entry form

Deck the House Christmas Light Contest: Every day after dusk. Pick up a map at the ticket center to vote!

 

Dickens Event Geocache - Twelve unique hand carved wooden ornaments will be hidden randomly throughout Fort Stevenson State Park. GPS coordinates for each ornament will be posted at geocaching.com. Locate an ornament and log your find at the Park Visitors Center to claim $5.00. If you don't have a GPS unit, stop at the park office for a loaner unit. Check out the details here.

Historic/Heritage Side Trip - (12:30–5 p.m.) Fort Stevenson Guardhouse, Fort Stevenson State Park, 3½ miles south of Garrison. View the displays and murals and learn about life during the days of the original fort.

Dickens Photo Contest - ​Send in your favorite photos taken during the festival or compete in the London Telephone Booth "Selfie" Contest.  The London Telephone Booth can be seen near the Auditorium, thanks to RTC Networks.  Submit up to 5 photos by emailing ndfm@restel.com or mailing to PO Box 521 Garrison, ND 58540. Photos must be received by December 16th to be eligible. All photos submitted are subject to being used for publication & promotional material and will become property of the Dickens Village Festival Committee.  Prize winnings in each category.

   

Live Comedic Drama Performance of A Christmas Carol, Kota Theater  The parody is the work of Sakakawea Area Council of the Arts. Tickets ($18 Adults, $10 Kids 12 & Under, nonrefundable) go on sale beginning Nov. 14th, information under the Buy Tickets tab. Play suitable for children 4 and older. Doors at the theater open a half hour prior to performance for last minute ticket sales or can be purchased at the ND Firefighter's Museum prior in the day.  Check out this year's!

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SPECIAL WEEKEND EVENTS:

Fruit Cake Toss, Saturday, December 2, at 12 pm at the barricaded area by intersection of 1st & Main Ave. Sign up at side door to Evangel starting at 10am; Prizes for the best toss. Toss the fruitcake the farthest in your age category & win $$! Free.

Milk & Cookies with Santa, Saturday, December 9, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the SACA Lodge. Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus and decorate your own Christmas Cookie. Sponsored by the Garrison Chamber Trade Promotion Committee.