For me, more than any other element of Christmas, it is music that fills my heart with true joy. I am that person who begins listening to the all Christmas radio station the second week in November. I attribute this love of music to my Grandma Mary, a pianist, my Grandma Jingles, an organist, as well as my dad Norman who would dust off the Bing Crosby album every December and proclaim “It’s not Christmas until Bing sings it’s Christmas!” But truly it is my mother, Nadine, who filled my heart with a love of music. It was she who drove me to piano lessons, school pageants, and church choir performances. This seems a fitting post as today is her birthday and I dedicate A Delightful Dickens Christmas to her memory.
A Delightful Dickens Christmas
If you are coming over from Let’s Add Sprinkles may I say, “Welcome!” I so adore all of Katie’s blue and white Christmas decor this year.
When sweet Amber of Follow The Yellow Brick Home invited me to participate in the Musical Christmas Blog Hop I couldn’t say yes fast enough. I knew just what I would write about.
The first weekend in December the entire island of Galveston, located in the Gulf of Texas, comes alive with Dickens on the Strand. The three-day event includes holiday handbell concerts as well as Christmas choir and caroler performances. But it is on the Strand itself that you will find the merriest music making.
Several stages and various areas are set up throughout the three blocks of Victorian-era buildings.
Here the official musical performances of the festival are conducted.
Who else wants a pair of her shoes?
It is encouraged that every man, woman, and child in attendance also sing, dance and perform on various portable instruments and that they do.
There is SO much talent!
My heart may have melted when I spied these two wee lads.
You can watch live video of all of the acts shown and many more on my Instagram stories.
Don We Now Our Gay Apparel
The simple act of people watching those dressed in clothing from days of olde had me captivated for hours.
This gentleman gave an amazing display of his steampunk costume replete with wings.
He could quite easily fold the wings up and walk comfortably among the crowds.
Men In Uniform
It’s no secret that I appreciate a man in uniform. While Mr. Decor is not always totally keen on dressing up he loved these shots and agreed that he would attend Dickens if he could dress like one of these dapper gentlemen.
Next up on the tour is Petite Haus. If you love French Country and classic Christmas Angelina’s home will delight you.
I hope you have enjoyed this Dickens Era musical Christmas post.
Laura
For More Musical Enjoyment
How fun this looks. We’ve never gone down for that. I love Galveston though. I’m sure you got so many costume ideas. Merry Christmas.
Oh my word, so much fun and those costumes are all amazing
Laura, this event Dickens on the Strand, looks absolutely amazing! The costumes alone would be worth a visit. It sounds like you have a rich musical heritage, like I do. I can’t imagine a world without music. I so enjoyed this visit to Galveston Island and such a joy to blog hop with you!
Looks like you had a blast! I love all of the great costumes. So fun to join you on this musical blog hop. Have a Merry Christmas!!!
How fun! It looks like such a fun celebration…all the costumes and music! I love that you dedicated the post to your mother, Laura!
This all sounds and looks wonderful!
Laura,
Thank you for the amazing tour of a Dickens Christmas on the Strand in Galveston. It has been on my wish-list for years, but since I began my Christmas sale each year, I have little time for trips around Christmas.
Merry Christmas, dear friend,
Judith
Lora. this looks like much fun. Thanks so much for sharing this. We have visited Galveston several times and always enjoy it. We love to stop and eat at the Sunflower Cafe. They have the best desserts! It has been so much fun being on this tour with you! Merry Christmas!!!
What a fun festival. I love all of the period costumes! Excited to be joining this holiday hop with you. Merry Christmas! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
This looks like so much fun, Laura! I love it when people go all out and get dressed up for special occasions like this. It’s also a really sweet way to honor your Mom. She sounds like such a great lady. I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year, hugs, CoCo
Laura this Dickens Christmas Festival looks like so much fun! Oh my goodness the outfits are just stunning and definitely brought a smile to my face! I enjoyed your post very much! I am so excited to be a part of this blog hop with you!
Merry Christmas!
Larissa
This seems like such a fun event!! I bet it is so much fun to be at!! And all the costumes are stunning!!!
~Emily
I loved reading your post. How wonderful that so many people get behind the event.
The costumes are fabulous.
This looks like the most fun ever — and it’s so YOU, Laura!
Wow! My theatrical daughter would love this event! She would be drooling over all these amazing costumes, and would also love the music. Thanks for sharing; would love to attend this someday!
Laura, this looks like such a fun event. And the costumes are grand. I am sure you were quite at home.
Have a lovely weekend.
What a beautiful post to honor your mother! I would love to attend this fun event! It seems like a perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit! Your photographs are wonderful and capture the spirit of the festival!
So happy you joined us for this hop and shared this fun post. Have yourself a “merry musical ‘ Christmas!
What a fabulous festival! Their costumes are amazing, and YES; I love those shoes!!
hugs,
Jann
oh my, how fun is this?! What a wonderful festival! The costumes are fabulous and I am sure the music is too! Angelina @ Petite Haus
Loved reading this, thanks for sharing the photos!
Cath from Australia
What a fun post Laura. Those costumes are amazing. And of course the dog in the stroller too. LOL. Merry Christmas!
I have already performed in three handbell concerts this year. I think most people do not remember how much they really like to see people perform live music. You don’t have to be a virtuoso to enjoy the challenge and fun of singing or playing with one or more other people! Get involved! As your Dad’s idol once said “Gang singing is the most fun you can have in public!”
What a charming event. We do a Dickens Christmas evening in our small rural community for the tree lighting but not to the extent you have! Thank you for the great photos of all the costumes!
This weekend at Dickens was so much fun, Laura! Thank you again for inviting me and loaning me an outfit to wear. I felt very Southern belle and it was fun to “fit in” and be a participant. There are sooo many great costumes shared here! I wish I had seen the man with the flying machine outfit ~ the mechanics are really cool! That and the woman on her bicycle and the other gentleman and lady on theirs. Love his pith helmet! In college I wrote a paper for my Women in History class about women cyclists.
A great event, Ladies and Gents; do try to attend at least once somewhere near you,
Hugs and blessings,
Barb 🙂
Oh, Laura, how much fun is this!!! Amazing photos of what must be a fabulous event! And, I do want those elf shoes…LOL. Merry Christmas1
What a cool festival. I’ve never heard of one like it! I love Christmas music as well and I too start listening early. Knowing you I know you LOVED this event! The costumes are fabulous:) Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home