Stowe hosts Dickens Christmas Festival

Downtown Stowe will take on the character of 1800s London Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 3-5, during the community’s first Charles Dickens Festival.

Food, costumes, customs and entertainment will take on a Victorian-era flair, including appearances by characters out of Dickens novels.

Visitors can stroll the streets, visit shops and hear costumed singers performing Christmas carols. An authentic Queen Victoria’s Tea service will be held at the Green Mountain Inn, artists and artisans will peddle wares at a Victorian Vendors Marketplace, live reindeer will welcome Father Christmas to the Stowe Mercantile on Main Street, and the Mayor of London will entertain the crowds and keep everyone informed about special events throughout the day. After Dark Pub nights at local watering holes will complete the experience.

The Festival, sponsored by Stowe Vibrancy and Ferro Jewelers, features the debut live stage performance of “A Christmas Carol: The Musical,” with eight performances at the Town Hall Theatre at 67 Main St. The shows run Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 6 and 13 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for children. Tickets and the schedule are at dickensfestivalstowe.org.

Highlights of the schedule:

Thursday, Dec. 3

5:30 p.m., welcome reception at Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum, 1 S. Main St.

7 p.m., “An Old-Fashioned Christmas,” a free talk and book signing by author Eileen Stimson at the Stowe Free Library at 90 Pond St.

7 p.m., opening night for “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” at the Stowe Town Hall Theatre, 67 Main St.

Friday, Dec. 4

4:30 p.m., Children’s Lantern Parade, with stops at the village green for community caroling, lighting of the Wishing Tree, presentation of gifts for charity, and cider and doughnuts. The Mayor of London (Tim Kavanagh) will introduce a short concert by the Stowe children’s choir and the Mountain Choraleers.

5:45 p.m., lighting of trees on Main Street.

6 p.m., Festival of Trees and Light at the Helen Day Art Center, 90 Pond St.

6 p.m., a Dickens “Kids Night Out” at the Stowe Recreation Center for kids from kindergarten through grade 5.

All evening, traditional English fare and pub grub served in village restaurants.

7 p.m, “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” at the Stowe Town Hall Theatre.

9 p.m., After Dark Pub Nights at Harrison’s Restaurant, Whip Bar and Grill, Plate, Grazer’s, Cork Wine Bar and Market.

Saturday, Dec. 5



9 a.m. to 2 p.m, annual Christmas bazaar at Stowe Community Church, 137 Main St.



10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Victorian Vendors Marketplace offering unique holiday gifts from local artists and artisans under a tent at the village green on Main Street.

11 a.m. and 2 p.m., candy-cane-making demonstrations at Laughing Moon Chocolate on South Main Street.

Noon, Santa Claus and his elves arrive at Stowe Mercantile on Main Street.

Noon to 3 p.m., Santa, elves and reindeer visit with community children at Stowe Mercantile. For every child who visits Santa, Stowe Mercantile will donate $10 to the Lamoille Community Food Share.

Noon to 3 p.m., making Christmas cookies at Cafe on Main.

Noon to 3 p.m., Welcome to Winter Family Day at the David Gale Recreation Center.

2 to 4 p.m., Queen Victoria’s Tea at the Green Mountain Inn. A fee applies; reservations requested, 253-4400.  

4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Dickens Family Skate at the Stowe Arena.

5 to 6 p.m., the brilliantly lit SD Ireland Christmas Truck arrives on Main Street.

7 p.m., “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” at the Stowe Town Hall Theatre.

All day: Free wagon rides, stage performances,
Dickens characters strolling around, fresh Christmas trees for sale, food vendors throughout the village, and free gift wrapping at the Stowe Area Association on Main Street for purchases made at the festival.

Information: dickensfestivalstowe.org. The Stowe Vibrancy festival producer is Nancy Jeffries-Dwyer.

Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ turned into musical

Theater is a big part of Stowe’s first Dickens Christmas Festival, presented Thursday to Saturday, Dec. 3-5.

One highlight of the festival is “A Christmas Carol: The Musical,” presented Thursday to Saturday, Dec. 3 to 5 and 10 to 12 at 7 p.m., and on Sundays, Dec. 6 and 13, at 3 p.m. at the Town Hall Theatre on the second floor of the Akeley Memorial Building, 67 Main St., Stowe.

The musical, based on the holiday classic by Charles Dickens, features music by composer Alan Menken, who received Academy Awards for his scores for Walt Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

Shannon Sanborn, the show’s artistic director, says the show “is the famous tale of Scrooge, who is visited by the spirits of past, present and future. This is not only a story of celebration, but also one of redemption. Sit back and enjoy this classic tale, but put the kindness of the season to work tomorrow, and throughout the year, in your local communities through volunteering, donating or acknowledging those who have.”

Nancy Jeffries-Dwyer, producer of the Dickens Christmas Festival as well as this production, says, “With its heartwarming message and beautiful music, ‘A Christmas Carol’ is sure to be a holiday favorite for the whole family to enjoy.”

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Tickets and the full festival schedule are available at dickensfestivalstowe.org.