Costumed performers at a previous A Dickens on a Christmas festival in Llano. File photo
For three days in December, the small Hill Country town of Llano transforms into a Victorian-era homage to the Charles Dickens holiday classic “A Christmas Carol.” The festivities run Dec. 5-7 and include a Dickens of a Dinner Theater, a Dickensian costume contest, live music, a Victorian tea party, and more.
See the full schedule below and keep an eye on llanotxdickens.org for tickets, updates, and signups for the events.
FRIDAY, DEC. 5
A Dickens of a Dinner Theater
5:30 p.m.
Llano ISD Community Room, 1400 Oatman
Step back in time for a meal in a Victorian banquet hall as it might have been during the days of Charles Dickens, the famous 19th-century English author who captured the imaginations of millions with stories like “A Christmas Carol,” “Oliver Twist,” and “Great Expectations.” A ticket is $40 and comes with a four-course English feast of roasted turkey, gravy, potatoes, pork loin, mushy peas, and a special dessert.
Proceeds from the dinner will be used to support local foster children.
SATURDAY, DEC. 6
Breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Claus
9 a.m.
First Baptist Church fellowship hall, 907 Berry St. in Llano
The name says it all. Grab pancakes and sausage with St. Nick and his lovely wife at this Llano Chamber of Commerce event. Tickets are $5 each.
Festival and market
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Courthouse Square, 801 Ford St. in Llano
The Llano square will be filled with vendors and family-friendly activities on Saturday. Swing by for food, crafts, kids’ games, a petting zoo, carriage rides, roving entertainers, and more.
Gingerbread house decorating contest
10 a.m.
Juice on the Corner, 101 E. Main St.
See if you’ve got what it takes to be top gumdrop in Llano’s gingerbread house decorating contest. Decorating begins at 10 a.m. A winner will be announced at 12:30 p.m.
Main stage performances and awards
10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Courthouse Square, 801 Ford St. in Llano
Live entertainment takes the stage on the courthouse lawn Saturday. The greenspace will also serve as the runway for a Victorian costume contest and the venue for announcing winners of the day’s games.
The schedule includes:
- Llano High School band performance at 10:30 a.m.
- Here Comes the Treble Brass Quartet performance at 11 a.m.
- costume contest at noon
- winners of the costume and gingerbread house decorating contests announced at 12:30 p.m.
- Hill Country Highland Dancers perform at 1 p.m.
- David Gish Magic Show at 1:45 p.m.
Dickens of a Home Tour
Noon to 5 p.m.
210 W. Sandstone in Llano
Take a guided tour of beautiful homes decked out for Christmas. Tickets are $15 each or $28 for two. Visit womanscultureclubofllano.org to buy tickets or learn more.
Dickens of a Bed Race
3 p.m.
First Baptist Church, 107 W. Luce St.
Watch three-person teams race decorated bed frames or jump in the race yourself. Meet in the First Baptist Church parking lot for the contest or sign up online beforehand at llanotxdickens.org.
Christmas Lighted Parade
6 p.m.
Courthouse Square, 801 Ford St.
A classic Christmas parade through downtown Llano closes out a big day of festivities.
SUNDAY, DEC. 7
A Dickens of a Victorian Tea
2:30 p.m.
Llano ISD Community Room, 1400 Oatman
Bask in the elegant ambiance of a traditional English lunch complete with homemade sweets, treats, scones, and bottomless pots of tea. Period-appropriate attire is encouraged (but not required) for the event, which includes a performance of the original play “When Dickens Came to Llano” written by Elke Jones. Tickets are $30 and benefit the publication of a book, “The Historical Homes of Llano County,” through the Llano County Historical Commission.
