Saturday, December 8: 10:00 – 4:00 pm
Amelia Park Ice Arena and Amelia Park Children’s Museum, South Broad Street, FREE!

Mrs. Fezziwig presents her new recipe for fun: Mix Santa and Mrs. Claus in the garden with a Holiday Craft Market and Skating with the Cratchits (1-2:50PM for fee) in the ice arena. Add the Pioneer Valley Fiddlers, Clara’s Magical Nutcracker by the Huntington Dance Center, The Fantastic Toy Shop by the Small Planet Dancers, WSC Copperfield’s Carolers. Top with A Festival of Trees, gingerbread-cookie decorating workshops and horse-drawn carriages at the Amelia Park Children’s Museum and you have a tasty Dickens Days treat for all!
Co-sponsored by Amelia Park, Amelia Park Children’s Museum, WBID and WOW.

The Western New England Brass Choir will present a holiday concert on Thursday,December 6, 2007. The concert will begin at 7:30 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 16 Court Street in Westfield.The Brass Choir is under the direction of Dr. Peter J. Demos, former conductor of the WSC Wind Symphony. This concert is free and open to the public, all are welcome!

The Westfield Theatre Group presents its popular version of Dickens’ wondrous tale with original music by Marion Dunk and Kathi Palmer. What better way to celebrate Dickens Days than with this acclaimed community production that sings, dances and enthralls sold-out houses every time it tis performed! Performances run Fridays and Saturdays, November 30, December 1, 7 and 8 at 7:30 pm with a Matinee on Saturday, December 8 at 2:00pm. Held at the Westfield Women’s Club, 28 Court Street. Tickets: $12 Adults $10 Seniors/Students. For reservations call 572-6838 

Before he had white hair and a white suit, Mark Twain toured the world, entertaining audiences with his wit and wisdom, just like his colleague, Charles Dickens. Award-winning actor Bern Budd brings America’s greatest humorist alive in a show that is perfect for the times and the season. A unique holiday evening, not to be missed! Performance on Saturday, December 15 at 7:30 pm at the Westfield Women’s Club, 28 Court Street… Tickets $12 adults and $10 seniors/students. Sponsored by Westfield State College and the Westfield Arts Council, a subsidiary of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Tickets on sale at the Westfield Athenaeum and at the door. For reservations call 562-2277.

The WBID has invited visual artists of all ages and city non-profit organizations to adorn various storefront windows in The District. It’s a stroller’s gallery of fine arts and displays that reflect the great cultural and community life of the Whip City and its new downtown.

POSTPONED UNTIL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH DUE TO WEATHER!
Followed by The Mayor’s Greenlighting Ceremeny, it’s the first Dickens Days Lanternlight Parade with all the costumed characters of Dickens Days promenading by lanternlight to the Westfield Green. Ebenezer and his Spirits, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, Copperfield’s Carolers, Charles Dickens, Father Frost, the Snow Queen, as well as Queen Victoria and her Court will join the line march through the District to the Westfield Green where they will be greeted by the beautiful voices of Korey Bruno and the Westfield High School Choral Singers.

It promises to be a spectacular addition to Dickens Day with carriages, people marching, holiday music and great fun for all. As the parade ends, parade goers will be encouraged to follow Father Christmas (aka Santa) and Mrs. Claus to the Westfield Green for the traditional “Mayor’s Lighting” of the Dickens Days tree and the historic buildings surrounding the Green. Santa will greet children of all ages and offer hot chocolate to warm the holiday hearts of all.

Sponsored by The City of Westfield, Westfield Gas & Electric, The Westfield Business Improvement District (WBID) and Westfield on Weekends (WOW).

Weekends November 23-December 24, the elves of Westfield on Weekends have given a holiday once-over to the Santa House and with a little help from the bakers at the North Pole have created a wondrous Gingerbread House for Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus). Amidst the twinkling lights of Amelia Park, jolly old Saint Nick and the ever-cheerful Mrs. Claus will greet the hundreds upon hundreds of wide-eyed children and their families, who have made a visit to Amelia Park a traditional Dickens Days stop. Once again Santa will present each good little boy and girl with a special Dickens Day remembrance. Photos with the Clauses may also be taken with the proceeds benefiting all the 2008 projects of Westfield on Weekends.

More than 40 Magical Events for Mr. Scrooge, the Cratchits & All Families

Now in its fourth magical year, Dickens Days in the District is an exciting community-wide event inspired by Charles Dickens, his spirits & the Victorian Age. Westfield sparkles with a series of events, that begin with the first Lanternlight Parade & Greenlighting to herald the holiday season and end with a giant Snowfire to welcome winter. Thousands look forward a December of holiday house tours, teas, one-day festivals, theatrical performances, visits with Santa, lectures, readings, concerts & decorations throughout The District, Westfield’s new downtown. Dickens Days in the District is enough to make old Ebenezer smile.

The Dickens Days Cast of Characters:

Queen Victoria, Copperfield’s Carolers, Scrooge, Victorian Buskers

At events, in restaurants, clubs & shops throughout The District

The world of Charles Dickens, and the costumes and customs of the Victorian Age comes to life, as Westfield’s restaurants, shops and businesses whip up an array of holiday happenings. Patrons and shoppers can enjoy an Olde English Breakfast, Dickens Dinners by Candlelight, a Dickens nog or grog and bloomin’ great holiday sales and promotions throughout the District.

At all events, restaurants, shops and businesses during Dickens Days, there are visits by Dickens Days spirits, including
Copperfield’s Caroler’s, Victorian Buskers, Scrooge, Tiny Tim, The Fezziwigs, Other Dickens Days Spirits & even, Queen Victoria & her court.

Diners, shoppers and clubgoers are treated to the songs and magic of the season and are presented with special Dickens Days brochures and holiday cards, noting sponsors, subsidizers & special promotional materials.

Produced by Westfield on Weekends Inc.
In partnership with
The Westfield Business Improvement District