Northeast Florida’s Amelia Island is hosting the first-ever Dickens on Centre holiday event Dec. 4-6 and 11-13, transforming historic Centre Street in downtown Fernandina Beach into a 19th century Christmas village reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ early Victorian era Britain, complete with horse drawn carriages and period vendors, characters and entertainers. Visitors and residents can experience festive lights and holiday decor, exciting seasonal entertainment and tastes of the holidays with friends and family in this downtown winter wonderland. Downtown restaurants and shops will stay open each weekend during the event, which takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday night, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday both weekends.
“We’re very excited about Dickens on Centre and the experience it will provide visitors to Amelia Island during the holiday season,” said Gil Langley, managing director of the AITDC. “With a full calendar of events, even Ebenezer Scrooge would find something to enjoy.”
Saint Nick will be visiting downtown from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. each Friday and 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. There will also be readings of Twas’ the Night Before Christmas at 6:45 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and again on Sunday at 4 p.m. Throughout the two weekends, several other special events will take place, including outdoor movie screenings of four different versions of the classic “A Christmas Carol;” the Children’s Holiday Extravaganza at the Fernandina Beach Library; and the Parade of Paws with the Nassau Humane Society. In addition to these events, special entertainment will include performances at Fernandina Little Theater by the Royal Amelia Dance Academy as well as roaming period-character storytellers and actors.
In addition to the downtown restaurants, shops, galleries and other local businesses that will be participating, period vendors will be selling handmade crafts and special holiday treats such as meat pies, scotch eggs, sausage rolls and more.
The Dickens on Centre events compliment the island’s already popular Holiday Home Tour (Dec. 4-5) and Bed & Breakfast Holiday Cookie Tour (Dec. 12), as well as several other resort and destination events.
About Amelia Island
Northeast Florida’s coastal treasure, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty. Amelia Island offers long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and pristine waters. Upscale resorts with world-class spas, championship golf and exclusive dining blend effortlessly with a captivating collection of bed and breakfast inns and historic districts. The island is home to Fernandina Beach, once a vibrant Victorian seaport village, and now a charming downtown district of eclectic shops, attractions and eateries. Forget the everyday getaway; come make memories on Amelia Island. For visitor information and online planning, visitwww.ameliaisland.com.
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