Dickens

On the first weekend in December each year, they baricade off the streets in the historic Strand District, invite costumed visitors, Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria herself, and everyone steps back in time.

You'll see horse-drawn carriages, bobbies, tarts, Scots, carolers, urchins, the Texas Volunteers, firemen, ladies in hoops and bustles, gentlemen in toppers and tails.

There are plenty of shops, hot food, theatre performances, and a jolly good time can be had by all. Tour the Elissa, a tall ship! See the Colonel paddle-wheeler in dock! Come in costume and get in free! Even enter the costume contest for a change to be featured in the daily Parade.

Visit the official Dickens website for more details about all the activities (including a ball and formal breakfast on Friday and Saturday).

Tips - Wear comfy shoes! You can park fairly close in for a fee (about $5-$10.00) but if you want to stay in one of the hotels on the island, book early. Consider instead staying in one of the smaller towns on the mainland (Such as Texas City or Marquette) and plan for a short (20-30 min) drive onto the island. Then a short walk into the Festival.

It can be COLD. Take a jacket! Layer up. Gloves, a hood or hat, and a neck scarf should be in your kit. Take a shoulder bag or backpack to carry extra layers, camera, and momentos in.

There are excellent restraunts on the island - Casey's, Guido;s, Marios - especially if you like seafood. Think about lunching in the festival (remember that food will be expensive inside) and having a nice dinner down on the Seawall.
Ride the ferry while you are there. You can drive your car on or walk on. Take some bread to feed the seagulls, and spend about an hour just watching the shipping lane traffic, small boats, and barges.

Another neat place to eat just up the road, near NASA, in Kemah. A small "Pleasure Pier" recently built - carousel, miniature train, ferris wheel, and a bunch of really good seafood eateries. Eat at Joes Crab Shack or several others on the actual water's edge and watch the boats go cruisin' through the marina.