By Jennifer Donatelli
In the quaint hamlet of Port Jefferson village, a wondrous transformation occurred on Dec. 7 and 8, whisking it back to the days of yore, specifically to the era of Charles Dickens. The enchanting village is the home of one of the region’s most beloved holiday traditions — the Charles Dickens Festival.
For over 28 years, the festival has celebrated the works of Charles Dickens and his timeless classic, “A Christmas Carol,” bringing the spirit of Dickens’ era to life in the heart of Port Jefferson.
The festival is sponsored by Northwell Health’s Mather Hospital and is a partnership between the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council and the Village of Port Jefferson and is run by volunteers. Allan Varela, producer and creator of the festival as well as chairman of the Greater Port Jefferson Northern Brookhaven Arts Council, said, “This is a great mix of entertainment, history, and holiday cheer that captivates both young and old.”
Mather Hospital Executive Director Kevin McGeachy said, “We are proud to have sponsored the Charles Dickens Festival for the second consecutive year. We see this as a wonderful opportunity to connect with and support our community at an event that brings us all together to celebrate this special time of year.”
This annual event, attended by over 25,000 people from all over the country and around the globe, transported festival goers back to Victorian England with costumed performers, bustling street markets, festive decorations and a variety of family-friendly activities. In the course of two days, there were 172 events and over 130 volunteer musicians, actors and townspeople who wandered through the crowd, all dressed in period attire.
From the moment attendees stepped onto Main Street for the opening parade and heard the bells ringing, they were enveloped in the charm of a Victorian Christmas. The cobblestone streets were brimming with life and bustling with street characters like Father Christmas, the Dickens Mayor, the miserly Scrooge, the ever-vigilant Town Crier and the soot-faced chimney sweeps roaming the hamlet.
“I’ve been coming to the Dickens Festival for years, and it’s the highlight of the season,” said attendee Jane O’Connor, who brought her grandchildren for the first time this year. “It’s magical how the whole town transforms. The costumes, carolers and the storytelling really make you feel like you stepped back in time.”
Held in the town’s picturesque First United Methodist Church, the main highlight of the festival was the array of performances and reenactments of Dickens’ most famous works, including a live reading of “A Christmas Carol,” where actors and volunteers joined forces to bring Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghostly visitors to life.
“There’s something about the intimate setting of Port Jefferson, with its history and beauty, that makes the story feel even more poignant,” said Varela. He explained how involved the audience gets, adding that it’s a great way to spread Dickens’ message of redemption and generosity.
Alongside the traditional readings, the festival also featured various musical performances, including Victorian-era carolers singing holiday classics as they strolled down Main Street.
“It’s so rewarding to see people enjoying our music,” said First Methodist choir member Susan Miller. “The weather can be chilly, but the warmth from the crowd makes it all worthwhile with people singing along with us.”
Visitors saw a few new additions this year. The second floor of the Village Center was turned into Elf Works. “You’ll go in there and see busy elves hard at work making Christmas gifts for the Festival of Trees,” said Varela of the elaborate Festival of Trees display featuring two rows of 30 over-the-top decorated trees.
Believers in ghosts of Christmas past took a stroll down to Dickens Central where they had photos taken with four oversized ghosts from “A Christmas Carol,” a six-foot photo of Dickens and a giant walk-in snow globe.
The festival also featured a charming Victorian marketplace that stretched down historic Main Street, with local vendors offering everything from handmade crafts to vintage books and holiday ornaments. The smell of roasted chestnuts filled the air as visitors sampled traditional Victorian fare such as milled cider and gingerbread cookies.
“The market really captures the essence of what Dickens would have experienced in his time,” said vendor Anna Whelan, who sells handcrafted jewelry inspired by Victorian designs. “The costumes, the music and the atmosphere all make this festival a true labor of love for the community.”
Varela explained that the festival is a true community event, with locals volunteering to create the festive atmosphere, from decorating storefronts to participating in the pageantry. “It’s a celebration that unites people of all ages who return year after year, making it such a cherished tradition.”
Of course, no Charles Dickens Festival would be complete without a live performance of his classic holiday story, “A Christmas Carol,” which was performed at Theater Three each night of the festival. “This is our 40th anniversary production,” said Jeffrey Sanzel, executive artistic director of Theater Three who has performed the lead role of Scrooge over 1,600 times.
“But at the heart of it, of course, is the idea of making the community a better place, of taking responsibility beyond ourselves,” Sanzel said. “And this whole idea of the Dickens Festival, which brings the community together, really reflects that as well.”
“This festival has become part of our holiday season,” said Port Jefferson resident Tom Harris, who attends every year with his wife and children. “It’s a great way to create family memories and a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit.”
As the festival wrapped up this year, Varela and his team were already looking forward to the next celebration. “I’m already planning my costume for next year,” said Jessica Green, who portrayed a street vendor this year. “It’s such a fun event and I love seeing the joy it brings to everyone.”
Whether you’re a long-time attendee or a first-time visitor, the Charles Dickens Festival is a festive, enchanting experience that captures the magic of the holiday season in a way only Dickens could imagine.
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