TUSCUMBIA– Scrooge, Marley and all the familiar faces from Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, will return to Tuscumbia to join townspeople in presenting the signature Christmas 
festival “It’s a Dickens Christmas, Y’all.” In its fourth year, the event adds a festive touch to the season and brings a touch of “merry ole England” to the historic Alabama town. Costumed characters will stroll the streets all day on Saturday, December 13, when most of the activity will take place.
The Dickens Feast will kick off the festivities, on the Friday evening, prior (December 12). A Victorian English Christmas Dinner with a Southern twist will be served up by Rhoda P’s Catering at 7:00 p.m. at the Roundhouse at the Tuscumbia Railway Depot. The evening will include entertainment by the Christmas Carol Characters, an irreverent group of thespians directed by David Prejean. (Shhhhhh, it’s a surprise!) Advance tickets are required for the feast and may be purchased for $25 at Fiddledee D!, 111 S. Main St., Tuscumbia, AL 35674 (Telephone: 256-383-9797). Costumes are invited but not required.
Saturday’s schedule then pulls out all the stops! This downtown experience (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) with carolers and costumed Victorian characters, is free. Expect to find snow falling on Main Street. Pride and Clyde the Clydesdales will again be on hand to give carriage rides. An outdoor holiday market will be filled with arts and crafts and food vendors, and the shops of Tuscumbia will offer their own holiday specials. Performances throughout the day will be presented by The Nutcracker Victorian Ballroom Dancers. Watch for appearances by Santa Claus and Father Christmas, his earlier English counterpart.
A real Dickens-era sleigh will be displayed and a new seasonal Victorian mercantile shop with Dickens-era garb for sale, will be holding its official grand opening, joining the array of specialty shops which make a visit to Tuscumbia unique within the Shoals and the perfect place for your Christmas shopping.
Special events new to Tuscumbia’s Dickens Christmas will be held throughout the day. A Barristers Brunch at Oh! Bryans is sponsored by Colbert and Lauderdale County attorneys (ticketed); Poetry and Music, from Dickens to Capote, will be presented at historic St. John’s Episcopal Church (donations accepted); and a Holiday High Tea will be offered at Locust Hill, an 1820’s residence decorated for the season, serving dainty refreshments (reservations required for seatings).
Additional events include: The Dickens 5K Run and 1 mile Tiny Tim Trot, Breakfast with Santa and a reading of The 
Night Before Christmas at the Helen Keller Public Library (ticketed), Milk and Cookies with Tiny Tim and a reading of A Christmas Carol in Cold Water Books (free), Cookie Decorating organized by Aunt Bea’s Bakery (small charge covers cookie and drink), and Trolley Tours of the town’s historic district, led by a knowledgeable Dickens Character, sharing Christmas customs. The Tennessee Valley Museum of Art will be holding its annual “Trees of Christmas” exhibit of towering live evergreens decorated in themes (admission charge) and the Helen Keller Home will be decorated and holding its Holiday Open House, with reduced admission. A “Town Sing” will be held by candlelight around the Christmas tree at City Hall (former Post Office) at 5:00 p.m. to close the day.
A visit to Tuscumbia for Dickens Christmas would not be complete for kids (or those young-at- heart) without a ride on the Spring Park Train through the wonderland of Christmas lights. The carousel and train will run each evening from Dec. 1 – 24, 4:00-8:00 p.m. The Tuscumbia Depot Museum will be open during extended holiday hours (TBA).
“Dickens Christmas, Y’all” is sponsored by Tuscumbia Retail Development, Inc., a volunteer group, whose goal is to grow and sustain business in the City. TRD efforts include several fund-raisers and promotional events held throughout the year, plus the business incubator / retail cooperative gift shop, Fiddledee D!
May Woodie Christopher, president of TRD, says that this year’s Dickens Christmas, will be larger than ever before, with new activities being added all the time. “Make your plans to join us on the streets of downtown Tuscumbia for our fun-filled festival!” The festival committee is grateful to its sponsoring “Friends of the Fezziwigs” who are too numerous to mention by name.
For more information: www.facebook/DickensChristmas, or call TRD / Fiddledee D! at 256-383-9797. For additional holiday events and/or lodging/dining information contact Colbert County Tourism at 256-383-0783 or colbertcountytourism.org.
