Follow the ghost of Christmas past into the harbor village of Port Jefferson for the 18th annual Dickens Festival, held from Friday, December 6, through Sunday, December 8. Inspired by Theatre Three's annual stage performances of Charles Dickens' holiday classic "A Christmas Carol," the historical seaport's streets transform into a Victorian era village.
Ambience is set with actors dressed in full, lavish Victorian attire strolling the streets and interacting with festival goers, as well as through festive holiday decor draped throughout the village and shop windows trimmed with Christmas displays. An extensive lineup of old-fashioned Christmas revelry is planned throughout the weekend, from musical performances and period balls to open fire marshmallow roasts and live reindeer. The official opening ceremony features the lighting of the Port Jefferson village Christmas tree. Caroling and other festivities will kick off the weekend.
The Theatre Three playhouse in Port Jefferson has been delighting audiences of all ages with performances of "A Christmas Carol" for 30 years. The inspiring message of Christmas brings Scrooge, Fezziwig, Jacob Marley and an entire cast of other characters to the streets in between show times throughout the weekend. The play is a timeless classic and a revered hit year after year, making a performance one of the must-sees of the festival.
Consider also attending one or more of the numerous other musical and theatrical performances to get into the holiday spirit. Conclude an evening at Port Jefferson high school to take in "The Nutcracker" ballet. The North Shore Chamber Choir will be performing the Baroque period's famed "Messiah" by Handel at the 1st Presbyterian Church. The Masonic Lodge will host The Great Wizard of the North's magic show, and several area churches will serve as venues for a host of other holiday performers, including the Toot Sweet Flutes quartet, the a capella Twin Shores chorus, the Brookhaven Flute Choir, the Greek Orthodox Choir of Suffolk County, the Long Island Symphonic Choral association and many others to choose from. There will also be a reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," as well as other story time readings. The traditional Punch and Judy puppet artistry will put on several performances at the Village Way Restaurant.
Be sure to navigate the streets with old time flair. Horse-drawn carriages and a trolley ride through the village will keep visitors traveling in fine style that predates escalating gas prices and environmentally unsafe emissions.
Area restaurants will be featuring an array of old world delicacies and potables on their menus. Other culinary delights of the season to be savored include the chocolate extravaganza, the roasted chestnuts and the interactive marshmallow roast. Be sure to satiate any sweet cravings before going in to admire the constructions in progress at the Spectacular Gingerbread House Building Contest. Treat the whole family to a Dickens-style brunch with Santa Claus at Danford's Inn on Sunday.
Each evening, various social gatherings are available to choose from, where music that dates from the present to decades gone by prompt guests in Victorian finery and holiday attire to take to the dance floors. If dances are not your cup of tea, how about sipping and mingling at a Victorian tea instead?
Other activities include a tour of Santa's workshop, an old world-style market, arts and crafts displays, old time craft demonstrations, ice-skating, historical home tours by lantern light, a model train exhibit and the grand finale giant puppet parade down Main Street. There are also plenty of unique shops and boutiques to load up on gift shopping and Christmas stores where you can find that special new ornament or stocking. There is something for everyone, every age and every personal taste, so don't be a Scrooge. Forget about the stresses of this century and come wile away a few hours at the enchanting Dickens Festival.
Admission to the village’s festival is free and parking meter fees have been lifted for the season. While some performances, such as Threatre Three’s stage performance of “A Christmas Carol,” require advance ticket purchase, many of the festival’s activities are free of charge or cost a very nominal fee. For a complete schedule of events throughout the weekend of the Dickens Festival, be sure to visit http://www.portjeff.com/featured-events/dickens-festival/ To purchase tickets for “A Christmas Carol,” visit the Theatre Three website at http://theaterthree.com/jcd_site/christmascarol_2014.html
Ambience is set with actors dressed in full, lavish Victorian attire strolling the streets and interacting with festival goers, as well as through festive holiday decor draped throughout the village and shop windows trimmed with Christmas displays. An extensive lineup of old-fashioned Christmas revelry is planned throughout the weekend, from musical performances and period balls to open fire marshmallow roasts and live reindeer. The official opening ceremony features the lighting of the Port Jefferson village Christmas tree. Caroling and other festivities will kick off the weekend.
The Theatre Three playhouse in Port Jefferson has been delighting audiences of all ages with performances of "A Christmas Carol" for 30 years. The inspiring message of Christmas brings Scrooge, Fezziwig, Jacob Marley and an entire cast of other characters to the streets in between show times throughout the weekend. The play is a timeless classic and a revered hit year after year, making a performance one of the must-sees of the festival.
Consider also attending one or more of the numerous other musical and theatrical performances to get into the holiday spirit. Conclude an evening at Port Jefferson high school to take in "The Nutcracker" ballet. The North Shore Chamber Choir will be performing the Baroque period's famed "Messiah" by Handel at the 1st Presbyterian Church. The Masonic Lodge will host The Great Wizard of the North's magic show, and several area churches will serve as venues for a host of other holiday performers, including the Toot Sweet Flutes quartet, the a capella Twin Shores chorus, the Brookhaven Flute Choir, the Greek Orthodox Choir of Suffolk County, the Long Island Symphonic Choral association and many others to choose from. There will also be a reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," as well as other story time readings. The traditional Punch and Judy puppet artistry will put on several performances at the Village Way Restaurant.
Be sure to navigate the streets with old time flair. Horse-drawn carriages and a trolley ride through the village will keep visitors traveling in fine style that predates escalating gas prices and environmentally unsafe emissions.
Area restaurants will be featuring an array of old world delicacies and potables on their menus. Other culinary delights of the season to be savored include the chocolate extravaganza, the roasted chestnuts and the interactive marshmallow roast. Be sure to satiate any sweet cravings before going in to admire the constructions in progress at the Spectacular Gingerbread House Building Contest. Treat the whole family to a Dickens-style brunch with Santa Claus at Danford's Inn on Sunday.
Each evening, various social gatherings are available to choose from, where music that dates from the present to decades gone by prompt guests in Victorian finery and holiday attire to take to the dance floors. If dances are not your cup of tea, how about sipping and mingling at a Victorian tea instead?
Other activities include a tour of Santa's workshop, an old world-style market, arts and crafts displays, old time craft demonstrations, ice-skating, historical home tours by lantern light, a model train exhibit and the grand finale giant puppet parade down Main Street. There are also plenty of unique shops and boutiques to load up on gift shopping and Christmas stores where you can find that special new ornament or stocking. There is something for everyone, every age and every personal taste, so don't be a Scrooge. Forget about the stresses of this century and come wile away a few hours at the enchanting Dickens Festival.
Admission to the village’s festival is free and parking meter fees have been lifted for the season. While some performances, such as Threatre Three’s stage performance of “A Christmas Carol,” require advance ticket purchase, many of the festival’s activities are free of charge or cost a very nominal fee. For a complete schedule of events throughout the weekend of the Dickens Festival, be sure to visit http://www.portjeff.com/featured-events/dickens-festival/ To purchase tickets for “A Christmas Carol,” visit the Theatre Three website at http://theaterthree.com/jcd_site/christmascarol_2014.html