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"A Dickens Holiday" returns to Downtown Fayetteville on Friday, November 28, 2025, beginning at noon. Step back in time and enjoy holiday shopping, seasonal food and drink, roving Dickens characters such as Father Christmas and the cast of A Christmas Carol, live performances of The Nutcracker, holiday songs from the Gilbert Glee singers, carolers, and the Magic of John Tudor.Special ticketed experiences include the elegant Royal Tea and Tour with the Royal Court at the Sandford House, an afternoon with Professor Elliott Engel, a delightful Horse Drawn Carriage Ride through downtown, and the Gilbert Theater’s evening performance of "A Christmas Story." New this year is the Fezziwig Ball, a Victorian-style dance at 6:00 PM led by Dance Master Gershman, complete with light fare, refreshments, and a commemorative gift.
As evening falls, join the Candlelight Procession leading to the Illumination Ceremony, when downtown bursts into a dazzling glow. The celebration continues with Dickens After Dark, featuring music, a DJ, and the Gingerbread House Contest Awards at 7:30 PM. At 6:00 PM, the Elves’ Night Off: Guide to Yuletide Nights also begins — a playful evening adventure through the Social District that continues every Friday in December. Just steps away, the Opening Night of "Holiday Lights" at Segra Stadium launches a season-long wonderland of more than two million lights. For the first time in years, fireworks return at 9:00 PM, presented by Segra Stadium and visible across downtown.
Dress in Victorian attire or just bring your holiday cheer — A Dickens Holiday welcomes everyone to share in the magic.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Downtown Fayetteville NC, 10 Market Sq, Fayetteville, NC 28301-5652, United States
