Dickens on Centre Returns to Downtown Fernandina Beach Dec. 11-13: A Free Victorian Street Festival With a Pup Parade, a Beach Fun Run and a Drone Show
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. - The 12th annual Dickens on Centre festival will turn the historic streets of downtown Fernandina Beach into a Victorian village Friday, Dec. 11, through Sunday, Dec. 13, according to a news release from Amelia Island tourism officials. The festival is free to attend. It combines a large vendor market, costumed characters, theatrical entertainment, a dog parade, a beach fun run and a glowing procession and drone show, the release says.
The event takes its theme from the world of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella, and the release describes street areas named for its characters and settings.
A Dickens-named village downtown
The festival names its downtown spaces after people and places from the Dickens story, according to the release. Visitors can wander Oliver's Alley and Cratchit's Corner, stop in Fezziwig's Courtyard, find family activities at Tiny Tim's and head out after dark for Marley's Masquerade.
What's planned
| Event | What the release says |
|---|---|
| The market | Described as one of the largest in the Southeast, with local and small-business vendors selling handcrafted gifts, decor and specialty foods. It runs through Oliver's Alley, Cratchit's Corner, Peddler's Village and Artist's Alley. |
| Tiny Tim's | A children's area with movies in the Old Vic Theatre alley, the Elves at Work tent and other family activities. |
| Enchanted Village Snow Globe Experience | Private, snow-globe-inspired spaces where families and friends can have a light bite. The release says it regularly sells out and recommends advance reservations. |
| Fezziwig's Courtyard | A reservation-only setting with festive food and drinks, named for the jovial host in the Dickens story. |
| Run Like the Dickens | A one-mile beach fun run at Main Beach Park before the downtown festivities begin. Victorian costumes, bonnets and top hats are encouraged, and dogs are welcome. |
| Parade of Paws | Dogs in costume parade through downtown and compete in categories including Best Victorian, Most Original and Looks Most Like Owner. |
| Entertainment | Theatrical performances, live music, costumed characters and street entertainers on stages and in gathering places throughout the festival. |
| Marley's Masquerade | An adults-only evening party with Victorian attire, stilt walkers, jugglers, live music and what the release calls "a dose of mystery." |
The release also mentions a glowing procession and a drone show as modern touches but does not give times for either.
Make it a weekend
The festival takes place throughout historic downtown Fernandina Beach, where locally owned restaurants, boutiques, historic inns and bed-and-breakfasts make it easy to turn the festival into a weekend escape, according to the release. Amelia Island also has 13 miles of beaches.
If you go
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | 12th annual Dickens on Centre |
| Dates | Friday, Dec. 11, through Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026 |
| Where | Historic downtown Fernandina Beach (Centre Street area) |
| Cost | The festival is free. Reservations are recommended for the Enchanted Village and are part of Fezziwig's Courtyard. The release does not give admission details for Marley's Masquerade. |
| Schedule and planning | AmeliaIsland.com/dickens-on-centre |
Check the event website for the full schedule, parade and run times, and reservation details. The news release did not list them.
Sources: Amelia Island Tourist Development Council news release, Sept. 24, 2026; AmeliaIsland.com/dickens-on-centre
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