It was a magical weekend on a magical island.

The 10th Anniversary of our beloved Dickens on Centre festival was held December 12 – 15 in historic downtown Fernandina Beach and was a holiday smash for young and old alike!

The Victorian festival kicked off with the Dickens Illuminated Procession where folks gathered at the riverfront with something that glowed or twinkled and then took a stroll through the downtown historic district. The air was filled with the spirit of the season that not even a little wind and rain would damper. Weekend highlights included Saturday morning’s one-mile Run Like the Dickens fun run along the sandy shores of Main Beach; the Enchanted Village that allowed folks to create cherished holiday memories within uniquely decorated Christmas-themed snow globes; and the 21 & over Dickens After Dark Marley’s Masquerade Victorian costume party where holiday food and beverages, stilt walkers, jugglers, tarot cards readings, and other live entertainment from Kristen Sparrow Circus, and the incomparable Mama Blue entertained the crowd.

As if that weren’t enough, throughout the weekend festival attendees could also have pictures made with St. Nick, watch outdoor holiday movies in Tiny Tim’s Kid Zone, purchase arts, crafts and delicious treats from one of the many vendors selling their wares, and be entertained by dancers, singers, actors, and more on one of two stages!

If you happened to miss it this year, mark your calendar to attend the 2025 festival which will take place December 11 – 14 and promises to be MERRIER than ever.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!