SKANEATELES — The 28th annual edition of Dickens Christmas opens at noon, Nov. 26, with the World’s Smallest Christmas Parade.
Charles Dickens and his entourage will meander down Fennell Street to Jordan Street to Genesee Street, ending on the porch of the Hannum House.
Dickens Christmas continues every Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m., through Dec. 19, with an abbreviated production (noon to 2:30 p.m.) Dec. 24.
Merriment for the whole family will include numerous events like “A Christmas Carol” trunk show, sing-alongs, musical and other entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, and appearances by such beloved characters as Charles Dickens, Queen Victoria, Scrooge, Father Christmas and Mother Goose.
Dickens Christmas is a mask-friendly event and will follow all pandemic guidelines.
The festivities are produced by Scarlett Rat Entertainment.
Black Friday? Bah, Humbug!
Celebrate ‘Bright Friday’ during the opening of Dickens Christmas.
The magic of the holiday season returns with the 28th edition of Dickens Christmas.
Enchanting holiday shoppers as it brings “A Christmas Carol” to life, Skaneateles’ iconic street theater production opens Nov. 26 and runs weekends through Christmas. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with a limited show (noon to 2:30 p.m.) Christmas Eve.
“After a year’s absence, we are elated to be returning to Skaneateles,” says producing director Jim Greene, who plays Dickens. “Her Majesty and I look forward to sharing our holiday warmth with old and new friends alike. God bless us, every one!”
“Downtown Skaneateles businesses are thrilled to welcome everyone back,” says Hilary Fenner, executive director of the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have implemented safety protocols for our Dickens cast to ensure the safety of all.”
Dickens Christmas is a mask-friendly event that will follow all COVID guidelines. Due to the event’s popularity, the chamber recommends that guests wear a mask while indoors.
“I, for one, am grateful to keep my face warm with a festive mask during this chilly wintertime,” Greene says.
Let us turn back the calendar, now, to 1842
Queen Victoria has arrived in town with Charles Dickens, whom she has commissioned to write a Christmas story. Also visiting is Dickens’ friend Washington Irving, who is working on his latest ghost story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
During their month-long stay, Dickens gains inspiration from a bevy of now-familiar characters, along with finishing school girls, pickpockets and other villagers. The story unfolds each week as Dickens and his entourage interact with cast members and passersby.
Dickens Christmas is produced by Scarlett Rat Entertainment and presented by Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Skaneateles-area business community.
Highlights of this year
World’s Smallest Christmas Parade. Nov. 26, starting at noon at the Skaneateles Village Hall on Fennell Street, proceeding east to Jordan and Genesee streets and arriving at the Hannum House porch in time for the 12:10 p.m. grand opening.
Midday Revels—Christmas carol sing-along—2 p.m. every day at the gazebo. Twelve groups form, representing the 12 days of Christmas. The groups vie for attention, and at the end, Queen Victoria awards a silver teasel to the most spirited performer. Winners have been known to wear their coveted silver teasels throughout the season.
“A Christmas Carol” trunk shows, in which Dickens performs lighthearted versions of his new story with help from the audience, 1 p.m. at the gazebo.
Horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides around the village, departing from The Sherwood Inn, provided by Rt. 80 Quarry Ridge Stables. Wagon rides are $3 per person, $10 per family; carriage rides are offered for a $50 donation.
Performances by the Bright Friday Brass, Nov. 26 and every Saturday.
A snowman-building contest in Clift Park Dec. 18 (weather-permitting). Bring your own supplies and creativity! Queen Victoria will judge the entries at 2:45 p.m. First prize is a $50 gift certificate from The Sherwood Inn; second prize is a Dickens mug with cocoa.
“A Christmas Carol—The Radio Play,” 7-9 p.m. Dec. 18 at the West End Theater, 217 Genesee St., Auburn. The performance will be available the following day on YouTube. For tickets and information, visit skaneateles.com.
Free refreshments, including roasted chestnuts donated by Tops Friendly Markets and Johnny Angel’s and Byrne Dairy eggnog served by the Girl Scouts (Saturdays only).
For children, Father Christmas will hand out treats from the porch of the Masonic Temple. And Mother Goose will read stories at Loft 42. (Masks and social distancing are required indoors.)
“While you’re in town, be sure to visit our unique shops and restaurants—the perfect complement to a holiday outing,” Fenner said. “And stop by the Chamber, at 22 Jordan St., for commemorative scarves ($15 with an embroidered logo, $10 without), mugs ($8), mugs with hot cocoa packets ($10) and ornaments ($5).”
Behind the scenes
Dickens Christmas has about 40 cast members, including young apprentice talent, who are joined by a variety of guest musicians and caroling groups. The show comes together in just six rehearsals.
“We pack a lot in and streamline the process of building a character,” says Greene, of Dryden. “Every actor learns music and uses improvisational techniques to build their character and become part of the ensemble.”
Greene is assisted by:
Maria DeMitchell, of Marcellus, who is artistic director and plays Queen Victoria
Victoria King, of Syracuse, who is music director and plays Lady Mariah. King is assisted by Patrick Glaub, of Hazel Park, Michigan, who plays Washington Irving.
John Michael Decker, of Queensbury, who is associate director and plays Ebenezer Scrooge
Brett Norsworthy, of Wolcott, who is production manager and plays undertaker Barry M. Deep
Tracey Greene, of Dryden, who is head costumer
Kristin Palazzoli, of Fayetteville, who is associate costumer
All cast members are fully vaccinated.
Dickens Christmas is made possible by the sponsorship support of over 130 local businesses.
The festival is further supported through ticket sales from a Dickens Raffle. First prize is a Mirbeau gift package valued at $750. Other prizes include a one-year family membership to the Skaneateles YMCA, a Shop and Dine package and a Skaneateles gift basket. Tickets—$5 each, three for $10, 10 for $25—are on sale at the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce and other village locations.
Paid parking is available in the municipal lot between Jordan and State streets. Free parking is available at the Austin Park Pavilion, at 1 Austin St. A horse-drawn wagon will shuttle between this location and the village. Tickets for the shuttle, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3:40 p.m., are $3 per person each way, $10 per family (maximum of six people). Shuttle riders will receive a coupon for a free ornament from the Chamber. Additional free parking is available in the lot at 49 E. Elizabeth St., directly across from Leitch Ave., but shuttle service is not provided from this site.
Two community events complement the season-long celebration of Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles.
On the evening of Dec. 3, the community will gather for Skaneateles Sings.
The program starts at 6 p.m. at the Skaneateles Library, with Father Christmas and Mother Goose greeting children and posing for photos. At 6:30 p.m., the Rev. Becky Coerper, rector at St. James Episcopal Church, will dedicate the crèche in a candlelit ceremony.
The ceremony will be followed by candlelit caroling with the Dickens characters; lighting of the Christmas tree and remarks at the gazebo; and an open house at village stores, many of which will celebrate First Friday.
In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, participants are asked to wear a mask while singing and while indoors.
Skaneateles Sings is organized by the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Skaneateles Garden Club.
“The chamber would like to extend a special thank-you to Strawberry Fields, which donated the Christmas trees for the Masonic Temple and the gazebo, and the Girl Scouts, who decorated the gazebo tree,” Fenner said. “We’d also like to thank the village and town for their financial support of the decorations and the Village Electric Department for its help in putting up the decorations, which will be enjoyed by the community all season long.”
During Shop Skaneateles, Dec. 7, you’re invited to shop throughout the day and Shop, Sip and Stroll from 5 to 8 p.m.
Many village shops will offer free gift-wrapping and refreshments. In the evening, parking will be free village-wide.
Merchants offering specials that night include:
Emma + James—$20 gift card for use on a future purchase with every $100 spent
The Wandering Kind—15% off full-price styles
Imagine—refreshments, and an entry to win a giveaway with purchase
Rhubarb—savings on Swiss Diamond Cookware, Wusthof Cutlery and Cuisinart. Follow the shop on Facebook and Instagram for more holiday specials.
DROOZ and Company—complimentary gift bags and gift tags
Sea Culture Brand and Sakran & Shaw—15% off all merchandise
Nest 58—10% off all merchandise
The Savage Homestead—holiday shopping by candlelight, with festive refreshments. Buy 3 Get 1 Free on select candles and soaps and complimentary gift wrapping.
The Local Branch—$10 gift card with purchases over $100, $20 gift card with purchases over $250, $50 gift card with purchases over $500. Gift cards valid through Dec. 31, 2021.
For more specials, go to skaneateles.com.
Anyone making a purchase that evening will have their choice of a free drink from the Blue Water Grill, Sherwood Inn or Finger Lakes on Tap (New York state glass of wine or New York state draft beer) or 15 percent off a bottle of wine at the Village Bottle Shop.
Shop Skaneateles is sponsored by the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on Dickens Christmas, go to skaneateles.com, call 315-685-0552 or follow the event on Facebook Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce or Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles.
