Dickens on the Strand is this weekend, and the Galveston Historical Foundation is pulling out its petticoats and bowlers.
This festival has been held on the first weekend of December for more than 50 years along the Strand, a busy thoroughfare on the Gulf Coast island south of Houston. This year, an estimated 30,000 individuals are expected to attend.
In an effort to preserve Galveston, the event features Victorian-inspired apparel and Christmas-themed performances and stores.
According to a statement from the foundation’s executive director, Dwayne Jones, GHF is happy to introduce one of the nation’s most beloved holiday celebrations to our community. Dickens on the Strand is a globally recognized event that many states and nations aspire to imitate. We invite both newcomers and returning guests to join us for an exciting weekend that will transport you back to Olde London.
Rain or sun, the celebration will go forward. Visitors who bring costume props are required to secure them and undergo further inspection. The event will begin on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and go through Sunday. Tickets are available online.
Will Wright, chief creative officer, joined Houston Matters last year for the event’s 50th anniversary. According to him, the downtown area of Galveston resembles a scene from a Charles Dickens novel.
According to Wright at the time, we are surrounded by buildings from the same era. We make use of Galveston’s existing backdrop.
Dickens was a 19th-century journalist and novelist. A Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist, and A Christmas Carol are a few of his best-known tales.
The roadways listed below in Galveston are already closed and will reopen by Sunday at 8 p.m.:
- 20th Street (Southbound traffic lane from Strand to Mechanic)
- 21st Street from Harborside Drive to Mechanic Street
- 22nd, 23rd and 24th streets from Harborside Drive to Market Street
- 25th Street from New Strand to Mechanic
- The Strand from 20th to 25th streets
- Mechanic Street from 21st to 25th streets
On Saturday and Sunday, two additional streets will close at noon in order to stage an event:
- 26th Street (Santa Fe Place to Market)
- Santa Fe Place (25th to 26th)
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
