Dickens of a Christmas 2026

What it is

A Victorian Christmas on Main Street: Dickens characters from Scrooge and Tiny Tim to Fagin, carolers and dancers in a Victorian Village, story times, Father and Mother Christmas with treats for children, food and craft vendors, and a closing Town Sing. The Heritage Foundation bills 2026’s as the 41st.

When it runs

Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 2026 map and stage schedule are not posted yet.

Where to park

The Heritage Foundation’s page lists a $1-each-way Franklin Transit shuttle from The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, and from Franklin High School on Sunday, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday; the page may still carry 2025’s stops. There is no street parking inside the festival. Accessible parking is in the 2nd and 4th Avenue garages, and every shuttle is accessible.

What it costs

No admission price is published, and no source says in so many words that it is free. Food and drink, the vendors, the whiskey lounge, the beer garden and the shuttle cost money; in 2025 photos with Santa at the Wilson Bank & Trust booth were free.

If it rains

Rain or shine; it closes if high winds or storms make it unsafe.

The history

The Heritage Foundation stages it against downtown’s Victorian buildings. The Williamson Herald counted more than 110,000 people at the 37th, in 2022; no source gives the first year.

Open spaces in the garages, now →