Riverside Dickens Festival

February 21-23, 2025

February 22, 2025, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dickens Festival 
White Park
3936 Chestnut St.
Riverside,  CA
$20, dickensfest.com
Held outdoors in a park, this daytime event invites all ages to dress in their finest costumes and attend. Steampunk and fantasy costumes welcomed, in addition to Victorian era apparel. Enjoy immersive historical reenactments, captivating performances, literary discussions, and interactive workshops that celebrate Victorian life here and in England. This event promises fun and educational experiences for all ages, making it a perfect outing for families, friends, and literature enthusiasts alike.

February 21, 2025, 6-10 p.m. An Evening in a Victorian Pub
First Congregational Church
3504 Mission Inn Ave.
Riverside, CA
$43.29, dickensfest.com, presale only, age 21+
Held indoors in a re-created pub atmosphere for an adult audience, The Trial of Mr. Pickwick takes places at the festival hall which includes two drink tickets & food.  Beer, wine, champagne and beverages served.
Entertainment includes Shelby Dungeons and Dickens
Wildcat Jackson
Ramptop Morris Dancers
Nostrabobus the Great Graphologist
Les Folies Rouge

February 23, 2025, 1-3:30 p.m. Royal Victorian Tea Room and Music Hall
First Congregational Church
3504 Mission Inn Ave.
Riverside, CA
$27.54 general admission, dickensfest.com, presale only
Held indoors in a Victorian Tea Room and Music Hall", Sunday afternoons are seldom quite like this. Original musical and a series of skit performances, all designed to entertain and amuse to the backdrop of an afternoon tea. Guests may enjoy the presence of Her Majesty and her court.
 

Founded in 1993 the Riverside Dickens Festival features re-enactments of Charles Dickens works with plays, street performers, food vendors, educational workshops and musical performances. Operating as a non-profit organization, the event is partially funded by the City of Riverside and Riverside Arts Foundation, and exists with the goal of promoting literary works.

The theme changes slightly each year to accompany a select author and novel and though the writings of Charles Dickens are usually selected. The Architecture (a conversation between Edgar Allan Poe and Charles Dickens,) Hans Christian Anderson and Lewis Carroll also have been showcased. Past Dickens works in annual events have included Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, The Pickwick Papers, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby and The Old Curiosity Shop.

Book Discussions

Pickwick's Pub Night Fundraiser 

The Tavern at the Festival 

Meet Mr. Dickens 

Authors' Salon

Rousing Performers

The Royal Victorian Tea Room & Music Hall

Grand Dickens Parade  

Victorian Fashion Show 

Mr. Fezziwig's Ball 

Steampunk 

Evensong 

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.