On Tuesday, November 29, Spartanburg’s downtown will transform into a Victorian wonderland. Complete with horse drawn carriages, chestnuts roasting over an open fire, strolling carolers, and Spartanburg’s official Christmas tree lighting, A Dickens of a Christmas is the perfect way to ring in the holiday season.
A Dickens of a Christmas is one of Spartanburg’s favorite traditions and is held the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving each year. Thousands of people enjoy this festive event, all looking for the spirit of the season.
There will be a special treat this year for out-of-town visitors: “We’re having a little special recognition program to find the person or persons who traveled the furthest to come to Dickens. We’re calling it a ‘Dickens of Drive,’” said Kathy Chandler, Executive Director of the Spartanburg Downtown Association and chair of the event.
“The winner receives a giant gift basket, filled with special items and gift certificates, donated mostly by the downtown merchants. Just stop by the Information Trolley at the corner of Church and Main streets and let them know how far you traveled!”
All activities are centered along Main Street in downtown Spartanburg, and most are free. Starting with horse-drawn carriage rides around Richardson Park, there is a progression of family activities—living windows, chestnuts roasted over an open fire, strolling carolers singing old standbys, food vendors, specialty shopping, a reading of “The Night Before Christmas,” and Santa Claus in Morgan Square to name a few. Another new attraction this year will be a Charles Dickens impersonator at the Hub City Bookshop.
The highlight of the evening is always the lighting of Spartanburg’s official Christmas tree in Denny’s Plaza. The ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. with entertainment provided by The Spartanburg Community Band and the Spartanburg Repertory Company.
Some exciting new attractions this year include…
• A Lionel steam locomotive model train with operating engine smoke, headlight, whistle, running lights, six freight cars and building structures and accessories will be displayed in a window of the Bijou Building, donated by the Hub City Railroad Museum.
• The Plaza on Main will host the Dickens Holiday Marketplace, where artisans will sell their crafts, everything from jewelry to woodcarvings to nutcrackers.
• Letters to Santa will be inside Carolina Cash. Children can come in and write to Santa (with the help of a few elves). There is a real mailbox to drop letters in, and Santa will write back via US Mail.
• Victorian group photos can be taken of family and friends against a snowy Victorian backdrop. Victorian clothing will be provided.
For more information about A Dickens of a Christmas, please call 494-9621 or visit online at SpartanburgDickens.org.
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