By Saturday afternoon, Port Jefferson had transformed into a Victorian scene as the 29th annual Charles Dickens Festival brought crowds and performers to the village’s streets. Carolers in period attire sang outside shops, street actors recited lines from A Christmas Carol, and families gathered around a giant snow globe near Kilwins.
This year’s festival, held December 6-7, received significant support from Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine. The university sponsored events at several local churches, including the Presbyterian Church, Harborview Christian Church, Christ Church Episcopal, and the Masonic Lodge. Stony Brook Medicine supported activities at the Village Center such as concerts and live play performances. Both organizations also contributed a Christmas tree for display at the Festival of Trees at the Village Center.
“The Charles Dickens Festival has been a favorite tradition in Port Jefferson for many years,” said Erika Karp, associate director of University and Medicine Community Relations. “Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine are proud to support this annual event for our communities to enjoy.”
The festival began nearly thirty years ago as an effort to attract visitors during a slow season. According to festival chair Allan Varela, “Back then, it got very quiet here. But Theatre Three always did A Christmas Carol, so they figured two plus two equals four, let’s do a Dickens festival.” He emphasized that community is central to the event: “These people are walking around, and they’re happy. Kids are smiling.”
Organized entirely by volunteers through the Port Jefferson Arts Council, the festival now draws attendees from across the country and Europe. “We’ve gotten as many as 60 people from the EU: Germany, France, Italy, England,” Varela said.
Among numerous attractions was Tiny Tim’s Train Station near West Broadway’s Harbormaster’s Building with model trains by the Reed Family Train Project. Inside the Village Center—supported by Stony Brook Medicine—the new Charles Dickens Creative Study featured large puppets representing Christmas ghosts alongside concerts upstairs.
At venues sponsored by Stony Brook University like the Presbyterian Church, local student bands performed while other sites hosted radio plays of classic Dickens works. Preparations for these events begin each August when rehearsals start for over 100 street characters who perform throughout town.
The Methodist Church served as another busy venue where children could meet Santa or participate in crafts and holiday treat walks.
Signature moments included Saturday morning’s Grand East Main Street Parade led by floats and pageant winners followed by an opening ceremony at Village Center. Throughout both days locals in handmade costumes enacted scenes inspired by Dickens’ stories across various village locations.
The weekend concluded with Pickwick’s Puppet Parade on Sunday evening—a procession ending at Village Hall where Deputy Mayor Xena Ugrinsky thanked volunteers “who stepped into the spirit of giving this weekend.” Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay led a countdown before lighting a tall pine tree beside Village Hall while choir students sang “Deck the Halls.”
