[Fayetteville, North Carolina] – In the tradition of Charles Dickens’ classic novella “A Christmas Carol”, the streets of Historic Downtown Fayetteville will fill with cheer and good tidings as the Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County present its 22nd Annual A Dickens Holiday: A Unique Holiday & Shopping Experience on Friday, November 26, 2021. All street festivities are free to attend and open to the public.
In The Spirit of Dickens, Hay Street transforms into an extraordinary Victorian-era holiday experience that attracts shoppers to Historic Downtown Fayetteville to #shoplocal and #supportlocal for the holiday season. This tradition highlights downtown merchants and restaurants as our community gathers in celebration of the holiday spirit.
The Spirit of Dickens
November 19th & 20th and December 3rd & 4th
Merriments commence as downtown merchants deck their windows and storefronts with enchanting Victorian holiday decorations and specialty gifts. Shoppers enjoy festive feasts from locally-owned restaurants as joyful sounds flood the streets with performances by Michael Daughtry, David Nikkel, Coventry Carolers, Highland Brass Ensemble, and others.
A Dickens Holiday
Friday, November 26th from 1pm to 8pm
The marketplace ignites with glorious displays of unique handcrafted holiday trinkets, treats, and treasures created by talented local artisans and crafters. Onlookers can enjoy the festive sights and sounds from the comfort of the beautiful Queen Victoria Horse-drawn Carriage Rides on Hay Street while memorable moments are captured with socially distant Life-size Dickens Photo Cut-outs and a Holiday Selfie Station.
Scrumptious aromas permeate from the H&H Homes: Gingerbread Community of Hope displays at The Capitol Encore Academy. An intricate Live Chalk Drawing of Scrooge will surely turn heads as shoppers learn of Victorian holiday traditions at the Fayetteville Area Transportation & local History Museum.
Upon every turn, onlookers may catch a glimpse of Father Christmas, Ebenezer Scrooge, the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Christmas Future, Jacob Marley, London Bobbies, and the Cratchit Family with Tiny Tim.
Celebrations include festive holiday performances by the English Country Line Dancers, a Solo Violinist, Gilbert Glee, a Magician, Highland Brass Ensemble, a Stilt Walker, Oakwood Waits Double Ensemble, Anthony Sutton & Friends, Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Alpha Omega Dance Academy’s ballet excerpts of The Nutcracker.
Dicken After Dark
Friday, November 26th beginning 5pm
While daylight dims, hearts will fill with cheer and good tidings as onlookers marvel at the whimsical flickers of holiday colors shimmering from the Community Holiday Tree and Candle Lighting bringing communities together under a peaceful and harmonious congregation of fellowship.
Email interview questions for the Arts Council of Fayetteville (allow 24 hours for written responses):
Christy McNeil
Director of Marketing
Email requests to interview Performing Artist(s) (contact info will be provided to coordinate interview directly with the performing artist(s)):
Antonio Renteria
Director of Operations
EVENT PARTNERS
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
FRIENDS OF THE ARTS
Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corp
First Citizens Bank
Holmes Security Systems
City Center Gallery & Books
Valley Radiology
Lumbee Guaranty Bank
ERA Strother Real Estate
Callahan & Rice Insurance Group
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
ABOUT THE ARTS COUNCIL OF FAYETTEVILLE|CUMBERLAND COUNTY
The Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County (ACFCC)is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization based in Fayetteville, NC that supports individual creativity, cultural preservation, economic development, and lifelong learning through the ARTS.
Founded in 1973, the ACFCC has served as a link between artists, arts and cultural organizations, and the greater community by administering programs in partnership with a variety of local agencies to stimulate economic growth, reinforce child education through the arts, and enhance the cultural identity of the arts and entertainment district.
In the year 2020-21, the ACFCC distributed $1.1 million in grant funds and allocations to Cumberland County arts and culture non-profit organizations, artists, and municipalities. Grants, programs, and services of the ACFCC are funded in part by contributions from community partners, and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.