It’s that time of year again when we start looking ahead and planning for the holiday season. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair (known simply as Dickens) returns to The Cow Palace in Daly City. Running from November 22 through December 21, 2025, Dickens is a must-attend!

It’s an immersive Victorian London holiday experience filled with character actors, delicious food, incredible live performances, artisan shops, and festive cheer—it’s like stepping into a live-action version of A Christmas Carol.

Dickens Fair has been a beloved Bay Area tradition for 41 seasons. Each year, over 140,000 square feet of The Cow Palace is transformed into a bustling Victorian London. There are charming character actors bringing Dickens’ world to life, along with hundreds of artisan vendors offering handmade gifts, unique treasures, and mouthwatering treats that make it nearly impossible to resist sampling as you stroll through the fair.

For my family, we added Dickens as a new tradition to our list of holiday cheer. It’s been a personal tradition of mine for years, but last year my nephews and niece were finally old enough to come along for the adventure, and they had a blast.

Before October had even ended, my nephews were already asking when we’d be going to Dickens again this year. From wand duels to quiet moments spent sampling delicious food while watching a show, we made a whole collection of memories last year that I’ll cherish forever.

Whether it’s your first visit to Dickens or you’re continuing a longtime family tradition, here’s why you should make time for at least one visit to Dickens this holiday season.

Every year, the organizers of Dickens introduce new experiences for visitors to enjoy, keeping the event fresh and exciting—whether it’s your first visit or your tenth.

I plan on starting the day off with a ride on a miniature steam train and head inside to delight in all of the wonderful things that are offered. After that, my nephew and I will grab a hand pie and then dive into the growing list of live shows on my list of must-sees. My dad’s a traditional Irish musician, so I know I’ll have to check out Suil Na Seabhac — a group of student fiddlers bringing authentic Irish music to the streets of London. I have a feeling my nephews will love it too; there’s something special about seeing the kind of music their Grandpa plays live on stage. I also learned that there are some Alice in Wonderland themed performances on the docket this year and it makes me excited to dive into the live shows even more

This year I’m excited to dive into The Sherlock Holmes Experience. My nephew and I can solve a mystery together while wandering through the fair, surrounded by twinkling lights, festive music, and all the holiday magic. It’s the perfect mix of mischievous puzzle-solving and storytelling—just the kind of adventure my nephew will love during the holidays.

Whether it’s a cherished family tradition you look forward to or your first time experiencing the holiday cheer of the fair, it’s the perfect way to make lasting holiday memories that you’ll cherish for years to come.

When:
Join us in 2025 for Five weekends from November 22 through December 21 including the Friday after Thanksgiving, from 10 am to 6 pm.

Where:
You’ll find Dickens at The Cow Palace in South San Francisco.

Ticket Information:
Tickets are on sale now! Find links to ticket here
2025 General Admission Ticket prices:

Discounted Tickets:
You can pay less if you choose a twilight ticket which has an entry after 3pm.

Active Military: 1st & 2nd Weekends Free Admission: Active Military personnel plus three family members all receive FREE Admission on First and Second Weekends! (November 22/23, 28/29/30 only).

Save with a season pass:
I will say that most people like to go more than once because there are so many fun things to see and do. If you have the ability, I encourage you to get a season pass to be able to go as many times as you’d like this holiday season. The season pass is $160 (a $495 value) which includes 11 days of the festival, a special 10% discount and free coat check.