DowntownFamilyFestivals & EventsKid Friendly
Amelia Island's beloved Dickens on Centre festival returns to historic downtown Fernandina Beach from December 12-15, celebrating its 10th year as the largest Christmas Market in Northeast Florida. Immerse yourself in the magic of the season with lively entertainers, seasonal treats, festive music, bustling shops, vendor booths filled with holiday treasures and beautifully decorated streets. Leave the holiday hustle behind and step back in time for a memorable Victorian Christmas getaway, filled with cheer and nostalgia.
Settle into your accommodations, whether it’s a historic bed & breakfast, seaside rental, familiar hotel, or luxurious resort. Relax and soak in the Victorian holiday atmosphere of Amelia Island.
If you want to stay true to theme of the weekend, the Fairbanks House is a testament to Victorian elegance and architecture and is the Grande Dame of S 7th Street. The mansion, cottages, and pool are surrounded by native plants and flowers, butterfly gardens, old oaks, and a gazebo. It’s also just a short stroll from all the weekend festivities!
After you get settled in, explore the charming downtown shops and restaurants, beautifully decorated for the holiday season.
Dickens Dining & Drinks is a mobile culinary adventure with holiday-themed specials available at dining hot spots throughout Amelia Island. Complete tasks and follow the interactive map to collect points for exclusive festival prizes.
Kick off the evening at the festival’s opening event, Dickens Illuminated Procession. Get in the spirit by bringing a lantern or anything that shines, glows, or twinkles and join in the procession led by Jax Pipes & Drums. Just remember, only battery-operated lights and lanterns are allowed—no open flames or candles. This is a seriously family fun parade. Food is available for purchase from local food trucks and funnel cakes from Dixie Fair Favorites.
Have you ever shaken a snow globe at Christmastime and wondered what it would feel like to live in that scene? Now’s your chance to find out in the Enchanted Village where up to six friends can spend an hour in your own private, holiday-themed snow globe!
This unique experience includes a charcuterie grazing box and wine or bubbly for purchase from the on-site Portly Gentleman Tavern.
INSIDER TIP: Make reservations now to claim your spot!
What would this beloved weekend be without seeing Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol”? Afterall, it’s really the inspiration behind this festival. What if I told you that one man will perform the entire story – by himself. Yep, the incredible Jason Woods is back for his One Man Performance of A Christmas Carol. Watch the story come to life in a whole new way as Jason plays all 20 characters!
7:30pm -Wharf Main Stage
Get day 2 started at Main Beach Park with a Run Like the Dickens 1-mile fun run. Complete with costumed characters and hot chocolate at the finish line, this family-friendly event is open to all ages (including pets), so feel free to bring your furry friend!
On your mark. Get set. GO!
8:30am – Main Beach
By far the most popular event of the weekend is the pet parade where adorable furry family members don their very best Christmas, Victorian, or most original holiday outfits to see who will claim first prize. If it were up to us, they would ALL win.
This is the perfect chance to see the community’s creativity and holiday spirit on full display.
9:30am – 11:30am – Downtown
Visit Tiny Tim’s Kid Zone for family-friendly fun, including kids’ activities, outdoor holiday movies, and a photo op with St. Nick himself.
Let your kids write their letter to Santa here to make sure it gets to the North Pole on time!
INSIDER TIP: Go ahead and reserved your time slot with Santa now. They fill up fast!
Spend Saturday evening at Dickens After Dark: Marley’s Masquerade party at the historic Lesesne House.
This costumed event includes live music, tasty food, circus performers, a magician, and tarot readings. Don’t forget to stop by the photobooth to capture your festive attire!
6pm – Ticket Required
End each day (Fri & Sat) with an awe-inspiring holiday-themed drone show over the Amelia River harbor.
If this doesn’t get you in the spirit, I don’t know what will.
Grab a hot drink and dive into the Dickens on Centre Christmas Market in Oliver’s Alley, Artists Alley, Cratchit’s Corner, and Peddler’s Village, where vendors offer holiday gifts and artisanal items.
This year, leave the boring Christmas gifts behind and get everyone on your list something original.
Throughout the weekend, there will be live entertainment all around the festival with street artists, holiday movies, roving characters, and more.
Two stages (Wharf Main Stage and 2nd Street Stage) will feature theatrical performances, holiday music, dances, holiday readings, and the opening and closing ceremonies. Oh my. So much to see and do!
After enjoying the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Dickens on Centre festival, take one last stroll through the decorated downtown, say goodbye to new friends, and head home filled with holiday cheer and memories of a Victorian Christmas getaway.
Don’t forget to make plans to come next year… and bring your friends.
Happy Holidays!
This 3-day itinerary captures the festival’s highlights and unique events to make for a memorable holiday experience. These suggestions are just a sneak peek of all Amelia Island has to offer as you plan your Dickens on Centre Holiday Getaway. Discover more and plan you perfect trip on WWW.AMELIAISLAND.COM for a complete list of places to stay, eat and play.