Each year, Main Street recalls the spirit of Christmases past when the Heritage Foundation throws its annual Dickens of a Christmas celebration. This year the event marks its 31st anniversary, and will feature both time-honored activities that have become perennial favorites, as well as a few new traditions in the making.
Franklin’s Main Street and its beautiful Victorian architecture will be decked out for the holiday season. Some 200 characters, dancers and entertainers will fill the street, including several from Charles Dickens’s stories interacting with the public. Expect to see the nefarious Fagin from Oliver Twist; Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim Cratchit with his parents from A Christmas Carol; and of course, a Victorian Father and Mother Christmas with treats for children. The English bobbies are actually on-duty Franklin police officers!
When & Where
Dickens of a Christmas takes place in downtown Franklin on Saturday Dec 12th and Sun Dec 13th. Hours are Saturday 10a-5p and Sunday 11a-5p.
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What You Can Expect at Dickens of a Christmas
- Sugar plums and roasted chestnuts being sold on the street, much like they were during the Victorian era.
- Street vendors selling old English fare and other tasty treats.
- A variety of musical performances, both on stage and on the street.
- Horse-drawn carriage rides.
- A holiday arts and crafts bazaar.
- A town sing of classic Christmas carols on the Public Square.
- NEW this year to Dickens of a Christmas: The Lucky Scruff‘s Wintery Whisker Revue, a competition among hirsute gentlemen for the finest facial hair. Those taking advantage of No Shave November will want to hang on to their whiskers until the Sunday afternoon competition on the stage at the Public Square and a chance to take home fabulous prizes.
Producing Dickens of a Christmas is just one of the many activities of The Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County. Since 1967 the non-profit group has been dedicated to protecting and preserving Williamson County’s historic, architectural and geographic resources; in short, saving the places that matter.
