The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is one of the stranger and more charming holiday outings in the Bay Area. For five weekends the exhibition halls of the Cow Palace become a lamp-lit version of Victorian London. Hundreds of costumed performers play chimney sweeps, pub singers, shopkeepers, Scrooge and Mr. Dickens himself. You walk the lanes, duck into music halls, eat a meat pie and buy gifts from craft stalls. It is always Christmas Eve inside.

The fair has run since 1970 and has been at the Cow Palace since 2000. It is about 26 miles north of Palo Alto, close enough for a day trip by car or by train. This guide covers the 2026 season, which the organizers have published on their official site. On November 2, 2026, tickets were on sale online and opening day was less than three weeks away. For other ways to mark the season closer to home, see our holiday season guide.

What the Dickens Fair is

Red Barn Productions and the Patterson family run the fair. The same family created the first Renaissance Faires in America, so the style will feel familiar to anyone who has been to one. The difference is the setting. This is an indoor event covering more than 140,000 square feet, built like a stage set with streets, shopfronts, theaters and five pubs. Theatrical lighting keeps it dim and cozy all day.

Entertainment is continuous and included in the ticket. You can learn a country dance at Fezziwig's Warehouse, sing along with the music hall acts at Mad Sal's Dockside Alehouse or stop to talk with characters on the street. Performers stay in character and expect you to play along a little. A polite greeting in return goes a long way.

Shopping is a big part of the day. Merchants sell handmade jewelry, clothing, hats, pewter, art and Victorian reproductions. Many people treat it as a holiday market with a show attached. Our roundup of holiday markets near Palo Alto lists smaller craft sales if you want to compare.

2026 dates and hours

The 2026 season has 11 fair days. Every day runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The fair recommends coming early in the day and early in the season, which is a good hint that the weekends closest to Christmas draw the biggest crowds. Thanksgiving Friday is a good choice for families with a school holiday. The ASL interpretation schedule for select shows is posted in November.

Tickets and costs

Tickets are sold online only through dickensfair.com. The fair says plainly that there is no box office at the Cow Palace and no authorized reseller, so be wary of anyone selling tickets elsewhere. A ticket is good for any one day of the season. Tickets are non-refundable but transferable, which makes them easy to give as gifts.

Active military personnel and three family members get in free on the first two weekends (November 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29) with photo ID at Will Call. The season pass covers all 11 days but not parking. Extra-cost experiences include a port and chocolate tasting, a gin tasting, a Jekyll and Hyde pub crawl and a corset fitting with Dark Garden. Prices can change, so confirm on the ticket page before you buy.

Budget for food and drink too. The fair's FAQ puts food prices at about $4 for desserts, coffee and tea up to about $22 for a full plated meal. Vendors accept cards and cash. ATMs are inside.

Getting there from Palo Alto

Driving

Driving is the simplest option. Take US 101 north for about 26 miles and follow signs toward Geneva Avenue and the Cow Palace. Allow 35 to 45 minutes without traffic. All cars, including those with disabled placards, enter at the main gate at 2600 Geneva Avenue. The Cow Palace charges $20 per car, payable in cash or by card. Drivers with a placard are directed to an accessible lot by the lower hall.

Caltrain and BART

There is no direct train. Ride Caltrain north to Millbrae, which takes about 21 minutes on an express, then switch to BART and ride to Balboa Park station. The fair's FAQ says there is no shuttle from BART and suggests the 8 Muni bus from Balboa Park to the Cow Palace, or a rideshare from the station. Check the Muni route on the day before you set out. Our Clipper and fares guide explains how to pay across all three systems with one card.

Rideshare

Rideshare drop-off and pickup is on Geneva Avenue about 100 feet south of the main entrance, outside the lot. Riders with mobility needs can ask to be dropped at the white tent inside the main parking entrance.

Bringing kids

The fair works well for children who like stories, costumes and noise. Highlights for younger visitors include Punch and Judy puppet shows, Victorian fairies, Father Christmas, holiday crafts, games and the Adventure Carousel. At the Victoria Station lobby a miniature live steam train carries riders "to London". Rides on it are sold separately.

• Strollers. Strollers are allowed up to 36 by 52 inches. Larger ones are not. The lanes get tight on busy afternoons, so a carrier is easier for babies.
• Lost children. Staff in dark green jackets handle lost children. Found children go to the information booth by the Lower Lobby. Agree on that meeting point before you go in.
• Pub culture. Pubs and ale are a big part of the show. Families are welcome, but some music hall humor is saucy in the Victorian style.
• Ticket math. Under 5 is free and 5 to 12 pays the youth price, so a family of four with two younger children can save a lot by choosing twilight entry after 3 p.m.

Food inside and nearby

Most visitors eat inside. The fair lists English bangers, fish and chips, Greek dishes, French onion soup and desserts, with craft ale from local breweries at five pubs and wine by the glass. High tea is served daily at Cuthbert's Tea Shoppe inside the fair. It needs a reservation, which you can make online in advance or in person when you arrive. The fair says vegetarian options are available.

Outside the fair, the Cow Palace sits in an area with few sit-down restaurants within walking distance. If you drive, Serramonte Center off Interstate 280 in Daly City has a food court and many casual restaurants a short drive away. Daly City is also one of the best places in the Bay Area for Filipino bakeries and restaurants. Our Daly City guide covers the area. Coming home by train, you will pass through San Francisco and Millbrae, both with plenty of choices near the stations.

Tips for a good day

1. Arrive at opening. The fair itself advises coming early in the day, before the halls fill up.
2. Pick up a stage schedule. Shows run all day on several stages. Plan two or three you do not want to miss.
3. Dress in layers. The halls are indoors, but the walk from the parking lot can be cold and windy in December.
4. Try a hat. Even a simple hat or bonnet helps you play along. The fair's costume policy explains what is and is not allowed.
5. Mind the weekend. Following the fair's advice to come early in the season, aim for the first weekend or Thanksgiving Friday if you dislike crowds.

Making a weekend of it

The Dickens Fair pairs well with other holiday sights in the north Peninsula and San Francisco. Many visitors combine it with the lights in Union Square or a dinner in the city. If you plan to stay out late, you can compare hotels in San Francisco rather than driving back down 101 in the dark. Closer to home, our guide to holiday lights near Palo Alto covers Christmas Tree Lane and Filoli. San Jose's free Christmas in the Park is the other big holiday outing within easy reach. For the rest of the month, see Palo Alto in December.

Frequently asked questions