Each year, hundreds of Dickens on The Strand entertainers and guests join GHF for the festival. Meet some of them in advance of this year’s festival.
DICKENS ON THE STRAND ENTERTAINERS AND GUESTS
Click for our full list of daily entertainment, festival maps, special event highlights, and more!
SPECIAL GUESTS
OLIVER DICKENS
Oliver ‘Ollie’ Dickens is a great-great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens who lives in North London. He is a British actor who recently graduated from LAMDA, one of the finest drama training academies in the world, having previously graduated from the University of York with a BA(Hons) in Writing, Directing and Performance. Ollie returns this year, after a 20 year absence, to perform his great ancestor’s best-loved Christmas tales. He is the latest in a long tradition of Dickens descendants to participate in the festival and is greatly looking forward to committing the same level of energy, intensity and flair to his readings as his great-great-great grandfather would have done!
FATHER CHRISTMAS
Father Christmas although known by many names throughout the world has been sharing his extraordinary kindness and generosity to those in need since the 4th century. His many monikers include Père Nöel (France), St. Nicholas (Europe), Babbo Natale (Italy), Sinnterklaas (Holland), Ded Moroz or ‘Grandfather Frost’ (Russia), and Kris Kringle or Santa Claus (USA).
JOHN & CHRISTINA NEITZ
John Neitz has performed as the Dickens on the Strand town crier since 2010. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the mayor and city council appointed him Official Town Crier of the City of Minneapolis in 2004. John has competed in the Invitational World Town Crier Tournament in Chester, England, finishing with a ranking of seventh in the world. He is escorted by his wife Christina, an accomplished historical costuming specialist. Between them, John and Christina have more than five decades of experience in historical reenactment and historically themed entertainment.
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets are non-refundable. The festival is open rain or shine. GHF is not responsible for independent transactions between visitors and vendors. We are committed to making Dickens on The Strand special needs accessible. If we can assist with arrangements, please contact us at 409-765-7834 in advance of your visit.
Pets and ice chests are not allowed. Scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, skates, Segways and other recreational “wheels” are forbidden. Guests bringing in costume weapons and props must have them secured will be asked to go through additional screening.
