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December 02, 2023

Where Every Family Matters

Dickens of a Christmas Returns to Downtown Franklin

Christmas entertainment, dancing, characters, food and arts in this HUGE holiday festival in downtown Franklin.

Downtown Franklin is gearing up for two full days of Victorian and Dickens-inspired celebrations at the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County’s 37th Annual Dickens of a Christmas festival hosted by the Downtown Franklin Association, Saturday Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Guests will enjoy festive food and drink, children’s activities, live music, carolers, and outstanding arts & crafts. There will be photo opportunities including Snow at the Courthouse along with photos with Santa and the characters from the stories of Charles Dickens such as, Fagin from Oliver Twist; Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the rest of the Cratchit family from A Christmas Carol.

Special features include the Victorian Village, KidZone presented in collaboration by Chief Rentals, Gold Fish Swim Academy, Hard Bargain Association, StudioTenn and We Rock the Spectrum, the Main Stage presented by Innocean, USA, an Acoustic Stage presented by Lipscomb University, Whiskey Lounge presented by Leiper’s Fork Distillery, the Beer Garden presented by Bavarian Bierhaus, a town sign-along, and much more.

Dickens of a Christmas - Downtown Franklin

There are six main areas where guests can enjoy entertainment:

  • Victorian Village – Enjoy holiday dancers, characters and entertainers between the Public Square and 5th Avenue.
  • Beer Garden presented by the Bavarian Bierhaus – Stop by on the northeast corner of the Public Square for an authentic German beer garden experience.
  • Whiskey Lounge presented by Leiper’s Fork Distillery – Stop by the whiskey lounge on the southeast corner of the Public Square next to the Main Stage to enjoy some whiskey as well.
  • Main Stage presented by Innocean, USA. Enjoy live music and entertainment throughout the day at the Main Stage on the southeast corner of the Public Square.
  • Acoustic Stage presented by Lipscomb University – Enjoy acoustic entertainment throughout the day on the corner of 2nd Avenue South and Main Street.
  • Busker’s Corner – local musicians perform on 3rd Avenue South.
  • KidZone presented in collaboration by Chief Rentals, Gold Fish Swim Academy, Hard Bargain Association, StudioTenn. Bring the kids to the Landmark Booksellers parking lot for festive fun for all to enjoy, including inflatable games.

β€œWe love putting on Dickens of a Christmas, and it just gets better every year,” said Bari Beasley, CEO of the Heritage Foundation. β€œYou can’t beat the atmosphere of downtown Franklin bustling during the holiday season, and for thirty-seven years now, festivals like Dickens keep that magic alive while providing a positive economic boost to Williamson County.”

For more information about Dickens of a Christmas, visit FranklinDickensChristmas.com.

 

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About the Author

Michael Aldrich

Michael Aldrich is Nashville Parent's Managing Editor and a Middle Tennessee arts writer. He and his wife, Alison, are the proud parents of 4-year-old Ezra and baby Norah.