For Refresh or Sponsored Post – Dickens on Main Christmas Festival in Boerne

Editor’s note: We are sad to announce that due to the ongoing pandemic, Dickens on Main has been canceled for 2020. Dicken’s on Main was supposed to be held on two separate weekends this year, but Mayor Tim Handren has announced the cancellation. The Weihnachts Parade is also canceled. 

“I applaud the work our city staff did to reimagine a scaled-down Dickens on Main this year to make it as safe as possible,” the mayor said. “Unfortunately, it has become clear the risk of visitors from other places with high spread of COVID-19 is too much to overcome.”

There’s nothing like a small town, Texas Christmas. Picking out your tree from a nearby farm, greeting friends on Main Street as you pop in and out of locally-owned shops looking for that perfect, unique gift for a special someone. Bundling up in coats and blankets to enjoy a carriage ride around the town square while sipping frothy hot chocolate and watching snow fall gently around you. Gathering with neighbors, friends, and kids of all ages to watch the town Christmas tree light up for the first time. It’s magical! And that’s what you’ll experience at the 2019 Dickens on Main festival in Boerne, TX.

But wait, you say. We live in San Antonio, the 7th largest city in America. What’s so small town about that? And, snow? There’s no snow in San Antonio! OK. You’ve got me there. But hear me out.

Just up the road apiece, in a lovely little town called Boerne, an annual Christmas celebration mixes the best of an old-time, elegant, Victorian Christmas with the down home Texas hospitality of a big-hearted community. That special holiday magic still exists, y’all, and you can find it at Dickens on Main.

Taking place on Thanksgiving weekend each year (Friday and Saturday, from 1:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.), this year’s 20th annual Dickens on Main invites you and your family to welcome the holiday season on the Hill Country Mile in downtown Boerne with a free, family-friendly festival full of the sights, sounds, tastes, wonder, and delight of Christmas.

[Dickens on Main is a] great family-friendly event to celebrate Christmas and enjoy old traditions. My son, who was three-years-old when we attend last year, took pictures with Santa, played in the snow, and sang Christmas carols. We all sipped hot chocolate and ate tasty treats from street vendors the entire time. I hope to make it an annual family tradition!”
– Tori Johnson, blogger at The sTORIbook, on her visit to Dickens on Main

 

Here’s What to Expect in Different Areas of Dickens on Main

North Pole Village: In true Dickens fashion, North Pole Plaza will be filled with entertainment. This is where you’ll want to be to see all the musical performances. And there’s sure to be food trucks all around.

South Pole Village: Because Dickens on Main will be an event your family will cherish for years to come, what better way to remember it than by homemade, unique crafts made by the little ones? Don’t miss the South Pole Plaza kids’ area to create a souvenir and savor a memory with one of the many crafts provided.

Scrooge Village: Scrooge Village will be home to tons of fun for the kids. There’s a petting zoo and pony rides, a trackless train, a snow slide, and more. Activities start at 1:00 p.m. and last through the night. Oh, and there will be live music too!

Tiny Tim Village:Because Dickens on Main will be an event your family will cherish for years to come, what better way to remember it than by homemade, unique crafts made by the little ones? Don’t miss Tiny Tim Village to create a souvenir and savor a memory with one of the many crafts provided.

Dickens Village: Dickens Village will be home to a ton of performances. There will be ballet, a stunt juggler, Bah Humbug – A One Man Christmas Show, and more.  It’s the perfect place to sit for a bit, and take a load off while being entertained.

 

Dickens on Main: Things You Won’t Want to Miss

Holiday Lighting Ceremony

Don’t miss the lighting of the tree to kick the Christmas season off on Friday, November 29, at 6:00 p.m.

Live Ice Sculpting Shows
Friday and Saturday, November 29 and 30, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
A crowd favorite, the ice sculpting show returns to South Pole Plaza twice each evening for this year’s Dickens on Main. Watch in amazement as block ice transforms into a masterpiece. Children will take delight in the fast-paced and magical action live ice sculpting offers, and the beautiful result is a treat for all ages.

“Bah Humbug: A One Man Christmas Carol”
Friday, November 28 and Saturday, November 30, at 4:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:45 p.m.
“Bah Humbug: A One Man Christmas Carol,” the one actor rendition of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is back this year and as memorable as ever. A Dickens on Main favorite with an amazing spin on things, “Bah Humbug: A One Man Christmas Carol” brings all of Dickens’ original characters, portrayed by one actor! This magical retelling of the famous holiday classic is one you will not want to miss.

Headliner Concerts
Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30, 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Austin-based band Groove Knight will bring the house down to wrap up Dickens on Main’s Friday night. An award-winning high energy dance band, Groove Knight is sure to please the whole family as they share the power of generations of great dance music from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and today.

On Saturday, The Eggmen will headline. The final performance of this year’s Dickens on Main will be one to remember, so be sure to catch the show at the North Pole Plaza on Saturday evening.

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday
Friday, November 29 and Saturday November 30, 1:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sleep late on Black Friday morning and skip the traffic and stress of sunrise shopping by shopping on the Hill Country Mile, home to some of Texas’s best boutiques and shops. From alternative antiques to high-end couture, Boerne is sure to have just what you need to finish your Christmas shopping. The shopping will not end on Black Friday—shop locally and invest in Boerne by shopping on Small Business Saturday. Find unique gifts to put under the tree for your loved ones. Stores will have extended shopping hours both nights.

Carriage Rides
Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30, 500 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
To top off your Dickens on Main experience, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride in scenic downtown Boerne. Friends and family can pile in and take part in this quintessential Christmastime activity. This makes for a great photo opportunity, too.

And, of course, Dickens on Main features the best of small-town holiday food and drink!

 

Dickens on Main Frequently Asked Questions

When is Dickens on Main in Boerne?

Dickens on Main is Friday and Saturday, November 29-30, from 1:00 – 10:30 p.m. That’s the weekend after Thanksgiving.

How Much Does Dickens on Main Cost?

Attending Dickens on Main is completely free, and there are plenty of free activities. However, you’ll want to bring along some cash for food and drink, shopping, and some extra fun activities.

Where Can I Stay the Night When Visiting Dickens on Main?

There are plenty of great hotels in Boerne to choose from. If you want to be right in the midst of all the activity, there’s The William or the Kendall right on the Hill Country Mile. If you want to put a little distance between you and the festival, you can try the Bevy or another hotel a little off the Hill Country Mile. Check out our guide to hotels in Boerne here.

Where Can I Park for Dickens on Main?

You can find parking for Dickens on Main on residential streets adjacent to the festival. There’s also a parking lot behind the Visitors Center on Lohman.

How Do You Get a Booth for Dickens on Main?

If you’re a vendor looking to get a booth at Dickens on Main, you’ll need to fill out this application. The deadline is October 25.

Is There a Map of Dickens on Main Activities?

Getting around Dickens on Main might seem a bit confusing. To help out, here’s a map we found over on the Dickens on Main website. Click to enlarge.

 

 

After Thanksgiving, ring in the holiday season with your family at this one-of-a-kind, small-town Texas Christmas celebration this weekend. And, follow all of the Dickens on Main fun on social media and share your experiences with the hashtag #BoerneChristmas.

Dickens on Main: on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram, on YouTube.