Dickens on The Strand is Galveston’s 37th annual Victorian-style street festival filled with costumes, music, food and wares straight from the streets of 19th-century London. During the weekend of December 4th and 5th, hundreds of costumed vendors and performers will provide a look at the pomp and pageantry of the British Empire at a time when commercial and cultural ties provided a strong connection between London and Texas’ largest and richest city.
Centered in Galveston’s The Strand National Historic Landmark District, located approximately one hour south of downtown Houston, the family festival will include parades, non-stop entertainment on the festival’s stages, plus strolling carolers and roving street musicians, bagpipers and entertainers. Additionally, costumed vendors peddle their wares from street stalls and rolling carts laden with tasty culinary delights and Victorian-inspired crafts, clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations and gift items.
This year the Festival will feature a wide array of new events – including Airship Isabella, an alternative Victorian “Steampunk” group of performers who will host an edgy bazaar, a circus and a street ball.
Besides the Steampunk performances, other new festival offerings include Albert’s Whimsical Whisker Revue – a facial hair contest with various categories.
Her Majesty’s Royal Romp, A Race Fit for a Queen, is a new event inspired by an old Monty Python video. In the Galveston version, contestants dressed as Queen Victoria will race down Mechanic Street through an obstacle course.
The popular Victorian Bed Race features teams of contestants wearing Victorian sleeping attire pushing Victorian-dressed beds on wheels down Galveston’s Mechanic Street as onlookers cheer.
For more information about top events in Texas take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Texas.
For more information visit the Galveston Historical Foundation at www.galvestonhistory.org.