About the Fair: General Event Information
| What: |  The Great Dickens Christmas Fair: A holiday adventure into Victorian London, partying with hundreds of costumed players in over 120,000 square feet of theatrically-lit music halls, pubs, dance parties and Christmas shops on winding lanes. It's a twilight evening in Charles Dickens' London Town - a city filled with lively and colorful characters from both literature and history. Enticing aromas of roasted chestnuts and hearty foods fill the air. Cries of street vendors hawking their wares ring out above the bustling crowd. Dozens of lamplit shops are filled to overflowing with Christmas presents. |
| Where: | Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Avenue, San Francisco |
| When: | Five Weekends including the Friday after Thanksgiving: November 23, 24, 25, Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 2012; 11:00am - 7:00 pm |
| Who: | Brought to you by Red Barn Productions and the Patterson Family, who created and directed the popular Renaissance Pleasure Faire at Black Point in Marin for 25 years, the Dickens Christmas Fair is a treasured Bay Area tradition since 1970. |
| Ticket Prices at the Gate: |
General Admission: $25.00 Student/Senior/Military: $21.00 Children 5-11: $12.00 Children Under 5 are Free Groups of 15 or more: $17.00 Pickwick Club (Fair season pass): $80 (available from our office or at the fair) |
| Ticket Sales: |
Online ticket sales will begin in September. During the run of Fair, tickets and season passes may be purchased at the Fair Box Office. |
| Parking: | $10.00 (charged by the Cow Palace) |
| Public Transport: | Ride BART to London! Take BART or Muni to the GLEN PARK Bart Station, then board the APS shuttle to Dickens' London. The Fair operates a FREE Courtesy Shuttle to and from the Glen Park BART station every 20 minutes, from 11:15 AM to 7:15 PM each Fair day. BART riders may bring their tickets or Clipper Cards to the Fair gate for $5 off one Adult admission (regularly $25; may not be combined with other offers). |
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Wheelchairs: The fair is handicapped accessible, but wheelchairs are not available for rental. Costumes: Victorian costumes are encouraged but not required for our patrons. Please feel free to 'come as you are' to enjoy your adventure into Dickens' London. The costume guidelines provided on this website are very complete and are intended for "Participants" in the event (performers & vendors). If you are a guest, please enjoy the costume information on this site as a resource to help you get into the spirit and play along at any level you wish. Even a hat or bonnet will make you feel like you are stepping back in time with us! Special note: please do not come dressed as Father Christmas, Ebeneezer Scrooge or other main characters from Dickens' works. See our public costume policy for more information. Entertainment: Continuous performances on six stages and in the streets feature lively and colorful characters from Dickens' London. Included will be energetic song and dance in Fezziwig's Warehouse, boisterous music hall performers in Mad Sal's Dockside Alehouse, chimney sweeps, Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and that evil genius Fagin.
Shopping: Visit the shops of London to find one-of-a-kind treasures, Victorian reproductions, fine art, romantic clothing, glittering pewter, and dazzling jewelry. Complete your holiday shopping or discover the perfect dress for that New Year's Eve party. Shopkeepers will welcome you, share a story or two, and send you on your way (hopefully laden with packages) with a hearty "Happy Christmas." Re-entry: Visitors to the fair may leave and re-enter by receiving a hand stamp upon exit. Pets: Pets are not allowed. Smoking: The Cow Palace is a non-smoking facility. Lodging: For those of you traveling to the fair, check the Lodgings Search page of the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau's website for accommodations in the San Francisco area, or our own accommodations page. Support the Cow Palace: The Cow Palace is a valuable community and cultural asset for the Bay Area and the State. It is also key to the quality presentation of The Dickens Christmas Fair with its Historic Exhibition Halls reminiscent of Covent Garden in London. Show your support by attending other great shows at the Cow Palace, such as The Golden Gate Kennel Club Dog Show and join http://www.cowpalace.com for email updates of all Cow Palace events. How to Reach Us:Red Barn Productions |
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Food & Drink: Gourmet chefs will offer delicious foods from around the world, including fish and chips, English bangers, Greek delicacies, French onion soup, and enticing desserts. Five authentic pubs offer Craft Ales from local breweries to satisfy the heartiest thirst. A wide selection of fine wines and champagne will be available by the glass.
