For the past several years, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair has been on my holiday radar. I first spotted it while researching Bay Area outings for when my guests visit over the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately, the timing never worked out. The fair closes the weekend before Christmas, and my guests arrive a few days later.
This year, I decided that we should not wait for visitors. So about a week ago, I attended my first Dickens Fair.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is a step back in time to a fictional Victorian London. For a few weekends in December, the Cow Palace is transformed into a maze of streets and alleyways with Dickensian names, lined with eateries, pubs, stages, and artisan shops. Mostly, we wove through the “streets”, checking out the wares in the shops and stopping for lunch. Of course, I had to try roasted chestnuts. Entertainment ran continuously on a several stages, where you might hear carolers, fiddlers, or a bit of theater. You could even dance at Fezziwig’s if you were so inclined. Wandering these streets, you’ll meet actors dressed as various characters from the Dickens novels, plus an assortment of other gentlemen, ladies, chimney sweeps, sailors, and a few scoundrels.
But it wasn’t just the professional players who had dressed for the occasion. What surprised me most were the number of attendees who came dressed to the nines in full Victorian garb. There were ladies and even young girls in hoop-skirted gowns with bonnets carrying reticules. Gents sported vests and cravats under coats and top hats. Some improvised with Steampunk-inspired apparel. And if you wanted to upgrade your attire, the vendors inside sold period clothing and accessories.
Dressing up looked like such fun. We decided that next time we should come in costume, too. The gents would have an easier time than the ladies putting together something that could pass for authentic. But for the women, corsets, floor-length gowns, lace collars, and bonnets aren’t exactly something you could pull from your closet. Clearly, some of these folks made a serious investment in their look. I’d wager this fair is a yearly tradition for them.
Have you ever attended a Victorian or Renaissance Fair in costume? Or chose to cosplay for a convention? Who did you go as? How did you create your costume?
Happy Christmas!