A Dickens of a Christmas Festival | Franklin, Tennessee
The scent of roasted chestnuts drifts through the crisp December air as a woman in a crimson velvet cloak brushes past, her hoop skirt swaying. A street performer dressed as Ebenezer Scrooge shouts "Bah, humbug!" from a storefront corner while carolers harmonize nearby. For a moment, I genuinely forget what century I'm in, and that's exactly the magic of Franklin's Dickens of a Christmas Festival.
Every December, downtown Franklin, Tennessee doesn't just decorate for the holidays, it time-travels. This beloved Victorian festival transforms the already-charming Main Street into a scene straight out of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, complete with costumed characters, horse-drawn carriages, and enough holiday cheer to melt even Scrooge's frozen heart.
Check out the vlog
Follow along on the vlog to see the Dickens of a Christmas Festival in action!
What Is the Dickens of a Christmas Festival?
Hosted by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, the Dickens of a Christmas Festival is one of Franklin’s most beloved holiday traditions. For one weekend every December, the streets of historic downtown Franklin are filled with costumed characters, vendors, and festive performances that bring Charles Dickens’ Victorian England to life.
You’ll spot familiar faces like Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and even Father Christmas roaming Main Street, ready to chat and pose for photos. The entire town gets into the spirit, with shopkeepers dressed in period costumes and storefronts decked out with twinkling garlands and wreaths.
Things to Do at the Festival
Catch Live Entertainment on Multiple Stages: This isn't just a stroll-and-shop situation. The festival features a Main Street Festival Main Stage, an Acoustic Stage, and Buskers Corner, meaning there's live music, carolers, dancers, and street performers everywhere you turn. Don't miss the interactive scenes from A Christmas Carol performed right in the streets. You might even get pulled into the action.
Browse Vendor Booths: With more than 150 arts and crafts vendors plus 30+ food stalls, you'll find handmade gifts, ornaments, local art, and unique holiday treats you won't see anywhere else. This is prime territory for one-of-a-kind Christmas shopping that'll make you look like a gifting genius.
Indulge in Festive Food & Drink: Beyond the classic hot chocolate and roasted nuts, the festival offers plenty of seasonal bites to keep you fueled. And for the adults? There's a Whiskey Lounge and Beer Tent where you can warm up with something a little stronger while soaking in the Victorian vibes.
Let the Kids Loose in the KidZone: Traveling with little ones? The KidZone keeps them entertained with activities designed just for them, giving parents a chance to catch their breath (or sneak off to that Whiskey Lounge).
Meet the Whole Dickens Crew: Sure, you'll spot Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and Father Christmas, but keep your eyes peeled for Fagin from Oliver Twist, Jacob Marley dragging his chains, and a whole cast of Victorian characters ready to chat and pose for photos. A must for families (and anyone who secretly loves a good character photo op).
Take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride: Want to dial up the magic? Hop on a horse-drawn carriage for a clip-clop tour through the gas-lit historic streets. Pro tip: These book up quickly, so snag yours in the early afternoon.
When and Where It Happens
The festival takes place on a Saturday and Sunday in mid-December in downtown Franklin, Tennessee, about 30 minutes south of Nashville. Main Street and the surrounding blocks are closed to traffic during the event, turning the area into a pedestrian-only wonderland.
Hours:
Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Parking & Shuttle Info: With 150,000 visitors flocking to this festival annually (it's Middle Tennessee's largest outdoor Christmas event!), parking fills up lightning-fast. Your best bet? Take advantage of Franklin Transit's shuttles from Harlinsdale Farm or Franklin High School. They're only $1 per person each way and save you the headache of circling for spots. Arrive early if you're driving yourself, or embrace the shuttle life and enjoy a stress-free arrival.
Why You Should Go
Franklin is already ridiculously charming 365 days a year. It is the kind of place where every building looks like it belongs on a postcard. But during Dickens of a Christmas? It becomes downright enchanting.
This isn't one of those festivals where you walk around once, snap a few photos, and leave. The energy here is contagious. You'll find yourself genuinely smiling at strangers, humming along with carolers you stumbled upon by accident, and maybe even tearing up a little when a local kid dressed as Tiny Tim waves at you. (Just me? Okay.)
It's put on by locals who genuinely love their town and want to share it with you. The shopkeepers dress up. The restaurants get festive. Even the guy directing parking lot traffic might be wearing a top hat. You’ll have so much fun trying to find all the different characters from the Christmas Carol story.
Whether you come for the handmade gifts, the people-watching, or simply to soak up some old-fashioned holiday magic, you'll leave feeling like you just lived inside a snow globe for a day. Fair warning: you might also leave with an irrational desire to own a Victorian cape. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Plan Your Visit
Location: Downtown Franklin, TN
Dates: Mid-December (check the Heritage Foundation’s website for this year’s exact dates)
Cost: Free admission
In a world of pop-up Santa photo ops and generic holiday markets, Franklin's Dickens of a Christmas Festival is the real deal. It is authentic, magical, and impossible not to love. It makes you feel like a kid again, even if you're mostly excited about the Whiskey Lounge.
So grab your coziest scarf, rally your crew, and get ready to step into a snow globe for the day. Check the Heritage Foundation's website for this year's dates, show up early, and prepare to have "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" stuck in your head for the next three weeks.
Trust me—your December needs this.
Ciao for now!
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