Dickens Fest Makes Its Way to Edmonton

A much-beloved European Christmas tradition is coming to Edmonton. Dickens Fest Edmonton is a new festival that builds on Edmonton's exuberant embrace of its status as a Winter City. The inaugural Dickens Fest Edmonton will take place inside the Citadel Theatre November 30 to December 2, 2018.

Using the popular Dickens Fest in Deventer, The Netherlands, as inspiration, a small group of community builders and enthusiasts are working with the Citadel Theatre to build a spectacular winter festival in the heart of downtown Edmonton.

The founding committee of Dickens Fest Edmonton is working with the Citadel this winter to build a strong festive centre in the heart of downtown, with the theatre hosting Christmas teas, a 19th century Christmas dinner, and a street market in the Citadel's large central corridor, as well as a dazzling display in the theatre's iconic Lee Pavilion.

"We are committed to animating the entire building and creating an elevated patron experience," says Chantell Ghosh, Executive Director of Citadel Theatre. "We are excited to create Dickens Fest Edmonton in our space and welcome the city in to experience the magic of the holidays."

The Citadel has enlisted esteemed historical event organizer Melanie Kerr to flawlessly execute the street market, Christmas teas, and 19th century dinner. Kerr is the founder of Regency Encounters, the company behind the Pride & Prejudice Ball, as well as the Festival of Witchcraft & Wizardry. Her extensive knowledge of 19th century customs and traditions will be essential to planning authentic Dickensian experiences.

If you've ever attended A Christmas Carol at the Citadel, you know the excitement a Dickens theme brings to the Christmas season. This year, the Citadel is doubling the classic Yuletide spirit with two 19th century, Christmas-themed productions: Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (a 'sequel' to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice) and A Christmas Carol.

The core mission statement for the festival, to paraphrase Charles Dickens himself, is "Humanity is Our Business." The festival will always seek to raise money for charitable purposes, to help Edmontonians in need. This year, proceeds from the festival will be split between the Citadel Theatre and Edmonton's Food Bank.

Dickens Fest Edmonton 2018 will be held at the Citadel from November 30 to December 2. However, the Citadel's Pavilion of Light will be open to the public from mid-November through to the end of the year, spreading Christmas cheer throughout the downtown core.

Please join us at the Dickens Fest Edmonton launch event on September 24, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Shoctor Lobby. To RSVP, email development@citadeltheatre.com.

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley runs November 17 to December 9, 2018. A Christmas Carol runs November 30 to December 23, 2018. For more information or to purchase tickets for a performance or a Dickens Fest Edmonton event, contact the Citadel Box Office at 780.425.1820 or visit www.citadeltheatre.com.