How did the legacy of Charles Dickens arrive in Galveston in 1973 and thrive annually for over 50 years?
Dust off your petticoats and top hats, or maybe even your best Christmas-themed tutu and tie, because it's time to talk about Dickens on the Strand! With a nod to the ghost of Dickens's past and an eye toward the future, Galveston's world-famous holiday festival is one of the island's favorite events. For three days in early December, the Strand Historic District in downtown Galveston is transformed into 19th-century London, bringing the work of famed English novelist Charles Dickens to life.
Born in England in 1812, Charles Dickens is the author of famous literary works, like A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, and Oliver Twist. He spent most of his life in London and captured the heart of Victorian society through his writing. To quote the man himself, "I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach."
First established in 1973 by the Galveston Historical Foundation, Dickens on the Strand was born from efforts to restore and revitalize the city's historic downtown. This festival, rooted in history, is a testament to the city's resilience and commitment to preserving its heritage, as Galveston's economic heyday and stance as the largest city in Texas was during the late Victorian era.
Although the name of the festival is Dickens on the Strand, the event takes place between 20th and 25th Street on Strand and Mechanic Street. This area was once known as the Wall Street of the Southwest. The Strand's ornate Victorian buildings are still the envy of cities all over the country and make a perfect backdrop for recreating 19th-century London.
Today, Galveston holds one of the most extensive collections of historic buildings in the United States. A favorite destination for architects and tourists alike, it also happens to be the perfect location for this holiday festival. Even though Charles Dickens himself never visited the island, Victorian architecture alone has the power to transport revelers to another time. These preserved buildings are one of the main reasons that the Galveston Historical Foundation initially organized the event, and why we still celebrate it today.
Another key connection to London lies in the name of one of Galveston's main streets, The Strand. History suggests that this well-preserved thoroughfare was originally renamed Strand so it would seem more prominent, similar to one of London's most notable streets, called 'The Strand.' The word 'Strand' comes from the Old English word 'strond', meaning shore or riverbank.
How did the legacy of Charles Dickens arrive in Galveston in 1973 and thrive annually for over 50 years? Charles Dickens is simply the king of Victorian-era Christmastime. Dickens is widely considered to be the most popular author of the time. His writing was first published in 1836, just a few years before the city of Galveston was founded. You've probably heard of some of his works, A Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, and, of course, A Christmas Carol.
Once you enter the festival grounds at Dickens on the Strand, elements of each of these books can often be found while walking around. You may even run into the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. In fact, when Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol on December 19th, 1843, the holiday would experience a revival in Europe and the United States. More and more people were decorating Christmas trees and wandering the streets, caroling alongside their friends and family.
According to some scholars, Dickens hoped that the book would help build on those feelings of goodwill and generosity towards others. Readers of A Christmas Carol immediately embraced the heartwarming holiday tale, and new traditions were born. I do wonder when the first copy of A Christmas Carol made it to Galveston…
In much the same way, Dickens on the Strand is part of the revival of Downtown Galveston. For over 50 years, residents and visitors alike have embraced the holiday spirit and good cheer. And to borrow from Dickens again, "There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor."
This festival appeals to any generation with activities that pay homage to Dickens. Christmas, and Victorian London. In recent years at Dickens on the Strand, a few very special guests have flown across the Atlantic Ocean to attend the festival, descendants of Charles Dickens himself. And by all accounts, they enjoy traveling all the way to Texas to celebrate their world-famous ancestor, Galveston style.
For those musically inclined, The festival comes complete with a diverse range of entertainment, from roaming carolers to character actors, wandering musicians, jugglers, bagpipers, and more. There is something for everyone. In addition, it features a variety of events, including parades, a Victorian costume contest, the whimsical Whisker Review, which is a facial hair contest, and the famous Dickens Victorian bed races.
Like other festivals, vendors line the strands selling crafts, jewelry, and decor, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the festival. And, of course, there are plenty of food and beverages to offer, like spiced wine and scotch eggs. And as Charles Dickens says himself, revelers might be "conscious of a thousand odors floating in the air, each one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and cares, long, long forgotten."
And just so you know, before you go to Dickens on the Strand, costumes are strongly encouraged but definitely not required. So suit up in your best Victorian-era outfit, and come out to Dickens on the Strand. One last quote from Dickens. "I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time when it has come round… as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."
Happy holidays, everyone, and Merry Dickens!
