Neglect the Hallmark Films: This Actual-Life Victorian Christmas Competition is Higher

I assumed I used to be visiting a typical Victorian road competition. I anticipated just a few costumes, possibly some sizzling cider, and a fast walk-through.

As an alternative, a small Japanese Shore city quietly kicked off my complete vacation season.

I’d heard about Dickens of a Christmas in Chestertown, Maryland. Held the primary weekend of December, it guarantees a Victorian-themed expertise. However what I wasn’t ready for was how absolutely the city commits to it, or how rapidly a single weekend would shift me into Christmas mode.

Dickens of a Christmas in Chestertown, MD

Wide view of Dickens of a Christmas festival on closed High Street showing Victorian-dressed attendees, vendor tents, hay bales, historic clock tower building in background — Excessive Road transforms right into a Victorian market for the primary weekend of December | Picture: Higher Dwelling

Historic Chestertown doesn’t must fake. It dates again to 1706 and was based as a working port on the Chester River, exporting tobacco and grain, and constructing ships. They even had their very own Tea Celebration in 1774 to protest British taxation.

That historical past isn’t simply in a museum; it’s seen within the bricks.

Eighteenth-century buildings line sidewalks that really feel largely unchanged. That is precisely why “Dickens” works so properly right here. When a city already has this a lot actual historical past, including interval costumes and hay bales doesn’t really feel staged.

It feels just like the city is remembering itself.

I spent each days of the competition staying at Brampton 1860, simply 4 minutes outdoors of city. Whereas Friday night set the temper, Saturday was when all the things clicked. I spent a lot of the day wandering Excessive Road, shifting slowly, and letting the environment do the work.

An Period Layered on High of One other

Victorian-dressed couple in period costumes sitting on hay bales around small firepit at Dickens of a Christmas festival, woman in red velvet coat with top hat, man in black suit, Eastern Shore Fire BBQ tent and food vendors in background, authentic 1840s London atmosphere — Victorian London involves life at Dickens of a Christmas in Chestertown, MD | Picture: Higher Dwelling

What makes Dickens of a Christmas completely different is that Chestertown doesn’t should faux the set design.

The downtown is the true factor. When Victorian costumes, vendor tents, and hay bales seem, it doesn’t really feel like a recreation. It looks like one period gently layered on prime of one other.

Vendor tents line the closed streets. Hay bales flip into informal seating round firepits. Draft horses pull vacation carriages by way of the crowds.

First-person view from inside red holiday carriage showing draft horse pulling through Chestertown residential street with historic homes, passenger wearing Santa hat visible — The carriage experience gives distinctive views of Chestertown’s preserved 18th-century structure | Picture: Higher Dwelling

I took one of many complimentary carriage rides sponsored by Brampton 1860, and it ended up being a spotlight. The loop took me by way of the city’s most charming streets, previous historic houses and below naked winter timber.

From the carriage, the preservation of the city turns into much more obvious. These aren’t recreations. These are buildings which have stood right here for hundreds of years, watching holidays come and go.

Oyster Stew, Figgy Pudding, and Firepits

Close-up of oyster stew in white takeout container showing plump oysters in creamy broth with wooden spoon, figgy pudding visible in background — Recent oyster stew and figgy pudding heat festival-goers on chilly December afternoons | Picture: Higher Dwelling

The meals was scrumptious and comforting, which issues if you find yourself outdoors for hours in December.

The Oyster Stew: A beneficiant serving of contemporary oysters in a creamy broth. I ate this sitting on a hay bale close to a firepit, and it was precisely what the chilly afternoon referred to as for.
The Figgy Pudding: Past the Christmas carol, I had no concept what to anticipate. It turned out to be a dense, spiced cake that was wealthy, complicated, and unmistakably festive.

Consuming sizzling stew on a hay bale by the hearth, watching individuals in Victorian costume stroll by, has a means of slowing time.

A Farmers Market That Matches the Scene

Crowded Chestertown farmers market with vendor tents lining street, shoppers browsing produce and goods on winter day with bare trees overhead — Chestertown’s year-round farmers market folds seamlessly into the Dickens competition weekend

Chestertown’s Farmers Market runs year-round on Saturdays. Throughout Dickens of a Christmas weekend, the market folds naturally into the competition.

There was a petting zoo drawing regular crowds, that includes goats, geese, a mini rooster, and even a Scottish Highland cow with lengthy horns and a shaggy coat. Watching households work together with the animals added a heat that went past the Victorian theme.

Hands holding colorful miniature rooster with red and black feathers at petting zoo during Dickens festival — The farmers market petting zoo options goats, geese, and even a mini rooster | Picture: Higher Dwelling

This wasn’t nearly costumes; it was in regards to the city coming collectively round one thing genuinely joyful.

Quaint Outlets in Historic Buildings

Interior of Twigs and Teacups shop showing holiday merchandise including Christmas mugs, kitchenware, jams, and decorations with shopkeeper in Victorian costume browsing — Native outlets like Twigs and Teacups supply fastidiously curated items and vacation objects | Picture: Higher Dwelling

Between competition moments, I stepped inside Chestertown’s outlets. These aren’t vacationer traps; they’re unbiased and punctiliously curated.

See additionally

Walnut and Wool: Embellished with classic Christmas timber and pressed tin ceilings.
Bespoke Candies: Handmade truffles displayed beneath a silver tree hung with chocolate ornaments.
E book Plate: A reminder of why unbiased bookstores matter, with floor-to-ceiling cabinets and that unmistakable odor of books.
Twigs and Teacups: An ideal mixture of vacation items, kitchenware to toys, and all the things in between.
Coco’s Pet Heart: Specializing in distinctive, enjoyable, native, handmade merchandise for pets.

Why Brampton 1860 Was the Good Base

Historic brick Brampton 1860 inn decorated with Christmas lights and wreaths at twilight, with snow dusting the front lawn and a pink sunset sky behind the building — Brampton 1860 gives the right retreat after a day on the competition | Picture: Higher Dwelling

Staying at Brampton 1860 turned out to be the right pairing for Dickens of Christmas. After hours within the chilly, I might retreat to my cottage simply minutes away. It was additionally enjoyable to see a lot of the visitors within the Manor Home “dressed just like the dickens” all through the weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, I left the competition round 4 PM to make it again for tea time. Over Poinsettia cocktails and Chef Carol’s fresh-baked cookies within the Manor Home, I talked by way of favourite moments from the day.

Cozy library room at Brampton 1860 with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, leather furniture, fireplace with burning fire, and large decorated Christmas tree with red ribbons — The Manor Home library at Brampton 1860 | Picture: Higher Dwelling

The subsequent morning at breakfast, visitors traded tales of their time at Dickens – what they purchased, what they ate, and their plans for subsequent yr. That shift from public celebration to personal consolation gave the weekend an ideal rhythm.

➡ See our full Brampton 1860 evaluation

Why It Sticks With You

Festival attendees in period costume sitting on antique Victorian couch and hay bales near firepit with bulldog wearing Christmas sweater in foreground — Hay bales, firepits, and even sofas create informal gathering spots all through the competition | Picture: Higher Dwelling

I got here for a Victorian competition and left speaking about beginning a brand new custom.

The logistics aren’t what linger. What stays with me is the sensation of a small city celebration that welcomes guests into that have.

The costumes are enjoyable. The meals is reassuring. The historical past is actual. Nevertheless it’s the heat and ease of the neighborhood that makes the weekend really feel significant.

I’m already planning my return subsequent yr.

🎄 Plan Your Journey: Dickens of a Christmas

Woman in Victorian dress posing with Father Christmas character in decorative sleigh at night in front of Dickens of a Christmas festival banner — Victorian characters carry the competition to life all through Historic Chestertown, MD | Picture: Higher Dwelling

Location: Downtown Chestertown, Maryland (Excessive Road).
When: The primary full weekend of December.
Value: Free to attend. Carry money for meals distributors and the market.
The place to Keep: Brampton 1860 (E book properly upfront, as it is a standard weekend).
Don’t Miss: The Carriage Rides and the Oyster Stew.

Higher Dwelling makes use of affiliate hyperlinks. For those who make a purchase order by way of them, we could obtain a small fee (for which we’re deeply grateful) without charge to you.

Supply hyperlink