SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Nov. 24-25; Dec. 1-2; Dec. 8-9, 2023
Please note this is a tentative schedule and revisions may occur prior to the event.

Make planning your day at the festival easier with these daily schedules!
Fri, Nov. 24     Sat, Nov. 25     Fri, Dec. 1     Sat, Dec. 2     Fri, Dec. 8     Sat, Dec. 9

View the go-to guide to the festival: 2023 Dickens Gazette (coming soon!) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment Schedule, KOTA Theater, Main Street. 

ALL PRICES BELOW ARE FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT ONLY

Tickets go on sale Monday November 13th at 9 am
 

First Weekend Entertainment: 

Friday November 24th- Letters From Home: USO style entertainment at 3 pm $30 + taxes & fees

Saturday November 25th- A Garth Brooks Tribute: A Garth Guy at 3p.m. $45 + taxes & fees

Second Weekend Entertainment:

Friday December 1st-  Everly Brothers Tribute: The Everly Set at 3 p.m. $35 + taxes & fees

Friday December 1st- Forever Simon & Garfunkel at 7 p.m. $45 + taxes & fees

Saturday December 2nd- The Little Mermen (see entertainment for breakdown of prices)

Saturday December 2nd- A Beatles Tribute: Yesterday! at 7 p.m. $45 + taxes & fees

Third Weekend Entertainment:

Friday December 8th- A Beach Boys Tribute: Woodie & The Longboards at 3 p.m. $35 + taxes & fees

Friday December 8th- An Eagles Tribute band: Heatache Tonight at 7 p.m. $45 + taxes & fees

Saturday December 9th- David Harris- Minnesota's Top Comedia at 3 p.m.  $25 + taxes & fees

** Play information, times & prices down below.**

           

West River Transit Bus Ride - (Fridays at 4 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. ) This one hour trip goes to the Fort Stevenson Guardhouse to view historical and heritage displays. 

Ticket Center (All Tickets Sold Here) at the CVB/ ND Firefighter's Museum - (Friday's Noon-7 p.m. Saturday's 10 a.m.-7 p.m.) -  Open for tickets to: doubledecker rides, entertainment, and play tickets, also serves as a warming house upstairs during the festival.

 

Welcome Center at the City Auditorium - (Fridays: Noon–7 p.m. & Saturdays: 10a.m.-7 p.m.) - Check out our daily schedules full of information to help you plan your day. Write a London Telegram postcard and we'll mail it for you, press your Dickens penny, or enjoy the Dickens photo cut-out.

Piccadilly Square - City Auditorium (Fridays: Noon–7 p.m. & Saturdays: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.) – A unique shopping experience with twenty plus crafters selling gifts and holiday treats along with Cratchit's Cafe.

Dickens Store - Purchase a souvenir from the festival, many straight from London, to take home or for gifts! Located in the Piccadilly Square.

Live Entertainment - Piccadilly Square (1-2 p.m. & 6-7 p.m.), Each day of the festival enjoy hometown talent.

Friends of Library Book Sale - Piccadilly Square (Friday's Noon-6 p.m. & Saturday's 10-6 p.m.), Each day of the festival get a bargain of a deal with this famous book sale!

Carriage Rides – (1 p.m.-5 p.m.) Each day of the Festival, weather permitting, NE of the Auditorium at 1 Central Ave E. FREE, thanks to our sponsor RTC Networks.

Doubledecker Bus Rides - (1:00, 2:30, 3:30, 4:00. 5:00 and 6:30 p.m.) The 1:00p.m. trip (an hour long) goes to the Fort Stevenson Guardhouse to view historical and heritage displays. The 2:30, 3:30 & 4:00 p.m. rides are a short tour around town.  The 5 p.m. ride includes being part of the lighted parade on Main Street. The 6:30 p.m. is a 30-minute ride to view lighted homes; riders will be dropped off at the theater. ($3 for each passenger who requires a seat, purchase tickets at the Ticket Center). Bus tickets are only available at the Ticket Center on the day of the ride.  Tickets can't be purchased in advance.

Tinsel & Treats - (9 a.m.-7 p.m., Every Day) Garrison Lamplighters, 1/2 Block west of Auditorium.  Enjoy a festival of trees decorated by local organizations, businesses, and individuals; vote for your favorite.  Enjoy free coffee & hot chocolate; also cinnamon rolls, caramel rolls, chili, pumpkin bars, & kuchen for purchase from the Garrison Lamplighters.  Warming house available here also.
Quilt Show - (12 p.m.- 4 p.m., Every Day) At the Cubby Hole, across the street (W) from Piccadilly Square.  View Quilts made by the local Piecemaker's Quilt Guild Members. Purchase tickets to vote for your favorite quilts. 
Top It Off With Style - Children’s Top Hat Decorating, noon-4 p.m., Every Day.  Pick up your top hat kit & head upstairs at the ND Firefighter's Museum to decorate. Free to children under 18 years.
Dickens Story Time at the Library - (2:30 p.m., Nov.24 & 25, Dec. 2 & 9) Join us at the Garrison Public Library (located in Piccadilly Square) at 2:30pm for a children's Christmas story. One lucky winner will walk away with a free copy of the book of the day! Also, enjoy a small kids craft. This event is free of charge. 
Kid's Corner at Evangel Church - (2 p.m. - 6p p.m., Every Day)  Grab a table, coffee or hot chocolate and let your kids enjoy activities like a bounce house and play gym for toddlers, coloring for everyone, and snap a polaroid in costumes with the whole family! 
 

Fezziwig's Feast - (5:30 p.m. Social, 6:00 p.m. Meal at Cubby Hole)
Enjoy a three-course gourmet meal by Lenore's Catering and Outdoor's along with Wolf Creek Winery Wine Tasting.  Limited attendance &  reserved tickets, price TBD, for purchase in advance online or remainder at Ticket Center.  Must be 21 or older.

Friday, Nov. 24 Meal: Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes with gravy, Veggie, roll, salad, and Dessert.  $30 + taxes & fees
Saturday, Nov. 25 Meal: Stuffed Pork Chops, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Roll, Veggie, Salad, Desert. $30 + taxes & fees


Friday, Dec. 1 Meal: Chicken Alfredo, Veggie, Garlic Bun, Salad, Dessert $30 + taxes & fees
Saturday, Dec. 2 Meal: Prime Rib, Baked Potato, Veggie, Roll, Salad, Dessert $40 +taxes & fees

 

Friday, Dec. 8 Meal: Baked Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Veggie, Roll, Salad, Dessert $30 + taxes & fees
Saturday, Dec. 9 Meal: Cornish Game Hen, Rice, Veggie, Roll, Salad, Dessert $30 +taxes & fees

Street Food Vendors – (4:00 p.m. until the last cup is sold)  Main Street.  From Buffalo Swedish Meatballs & Sausage on a Stick to Rice Pudding & Homemade Soups, a variety of yummy foods are available from non-profit organizations.
Lighted Parade – Main Street. (5:30 p.m.) It's the 30th year celebration.  Here is the entry form

Deck the House Christmas Light Contest: Every day after dusk starting in December. Pick up a map at the ticket center to vote!

 

Dickens Event Geocache - Twelve unique hand carved wooden ornaments will be hidden randomly throughout Fort Stevenson State Park. GPS coordinates for each ornament will be posted at geocaching.com. Locate an ornament and log your find at the Park Visitors Center to claim $5.00. If you don't have a GPS unit, stop at the park office for a loaner unit. Check out the details here.

Historic/Heritage Side Trip - (12:30–5 p.m.) Fort Stevenson Guardhouse, Fort Stevenson State Park, 3½ miles south of Garrison. View the displays and murals and learn about life during the days of the original fort.

Dickens Photo Contest - ​Send in your favorite photos taken during the festival. Check out the Gazette for Photo Opportunities. Submit up to 5 photos by emailing dickens@dickensfestival.com or mailing to PO Box 521 Garrison, ND 58540. Photos must be received by December 22nd to be eligible. All photos submitted are subject to being used for publication & promotional material and will become property of the Dickens Village Festival Committee. 

   

Live Musical Performance of A Christmas Carol, Kota Theater  The parody is the work of Sakakawea Area Council of the Arts. Tickets ($18 Adults, $10 Kids 12 & Under, nonrefundable) go on sale beginning Nov. 13th, information under the Buy Tickets tab. Play suitable for children 4 and older. Doors at the theater open a half hour prior to performance for last minute ticket sales or can be purchased at the ND Firefighter's Museum prior in the day.  Check out this year's!

  • Friday November 24th at 7:30 pm
  • Saturday November 25th at 7:30 pm
  • Saturday December 2nd at 2:00 pm
  • Saturday December 9th at 7:30 pm

Victorian Christmas Tea Tasting: At the Victorian tea tasting you will sip several holiday teas from Steep Me a cup of tea while learning about Victorian tea history and etiquette.  A delightful way to enjoy your holiday season and learn about Victorian times.

  • Saturday December 2nd at 1:00 pm
  • Saturday December 9th at 1:00 p.m.

SPECIAL WEEKEND EVENTS:

Live Reindeer, Friday, Nov. 24th ONLY from 12 - 2 p.m.

English High Tea, Back by popular demand for ONE DAY ONLY Saturday, Nov. 25th from 1 - 4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church.

Fruit Cake Toss, Saturday, December 2, at 12 pm at the barricaded area by intersection of 1st & Main Ave. Sign up at side door to Evangel starting at 10am; Prizes for the best toss. Toss the fruitcake the farthest in your age category & win $$! Free.

Milk & Cookies with Santa, Saturday, December 9, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the SACA Lodge. Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus and decorate your own Christmas Cookie. Sponsored by the Garrison Chamber Trade Promotion Committee.