Ripon's Dickens of a Christmas began 20 years ago when a handful of dedicated community members decided to organize a Victorian-themed festival as a tribute to the stunning Victorian architecture and homes throughout Ripon. It was also a thank you to the community and businesses for their support throughout the year. It has since grown and become one of Ripon's premiere festivals held every year the first weekend of December.
You are invited to take a step back in time with Ripon's unique Victorian themed festival. Event highlights include Living Windows in downtown businesses on Friday evening, carriage rides through Historic Downtown Ripon, a Tour of Homes on Saturday, Dickens of a Quilt Show, Enchanted Forestof trees sponsored by area organizations, Breakfast with Santaand much, much more throughout the weekend. Celebrating its 19th year in 2009, the festival will kick off on Thursday, December 2 and go through Sunday, December 5, 2010.
Dickens of a Christmas 2010 will be held December 2 - 5, 2010 Ripon, Wisconsin PLAN NOW to spend the weekend enjoying the Holiday Season! Click here for lodging information
HERE'S THE FUN WE HAD LAST YEAR... Dickens of a Christmas 2009 Schedule & Information will be updated for 2010 activities later in the year.
Sponsored by the Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce
For more information or to have a Dickens brochure sent to you, please call 920.748.6764 or email chamber@ripon-wi.com
THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND (Schedule subject to change)
Spend the Weekend in Ripon Come Friday for Living Windows and stay the weekend So you have plenty of time to see and do everything! Find out about our great places to stay.
Enchanted Forest First Congregational Church, 220 Ransom Street See schedule below for times
Gingerbread House Display & Contest Vote for your favorite house on Friday and Saturday at Farrell's Fine Furnishings, 214 Watson Street To enter the contest contact Troy at (920) 748-6370
Unique Shopping Opportunities Find the perfect holiday gifts for the special people in your life at one of Ripon's many unique shops!
Dickens Chili Supper* Sponsored by the Ripon Chamber Cookie Daze Committee 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Miller's Tavern, 102 E. Fond du Lac
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2009
Rippin' Good Cookie Outlet 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 420 E. Oshkosh Street Sample and buy cookies for the holidays 15th Annual Dickens of a Quilt Show 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Horicon Bank, 400 Watson Street Soup & Sandwich Supper 3:30 - 7:00 p.m. American Legion Hall, Corner of E. Fond du Lac & Blackburn Streets
Holiday House at Primrose 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. W12414 E. Hwy 23 Area artists and crafters displaying their wares Enchanted Forest* 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. First Congregational Church, 220 Ransom Street Sponsored by Barlow Park Relay for Life Team
Night of Nativities 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 217 Houston Street View a variety of international Nativity collections including ones from Africa, Guatemala & Spain
Living Windows 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ~ HISTORIC DOWNTOWN RIPON Over 30 live window scenes - Theme: Norman Rockwell Gingerbread House Contest--You Judge! ~ Farrell's Fine Furnishings Cookie Decorating Demonstration Visit with Santa at Ben Franklin Las Posadas celebration Horse drawn wagon rides sponsored by Golden Rule Community Credit Union Soup Kitchen with donations supporting the Ripon Food Pantry & Thrift Store ~ 100 Block of Watson Street Live Nativity Scene...and MORE! Victorian Costume Contest 7:00 p.m. ~ American House Pre-Register at Ripon Chamber, 127 Jefferson Street Prizes will be awarded Las Posadas Reenactment of Mary & Joseph's search for lodging 7:15 p.m. ~ Procession down Watson Street 8:00 p.m. ~ Traditional food, beverages and Pinata Great Hall, Ripon College
Ripon College Jazz Ensemble Concert 7:30pm Demmer Recital Hall-CJ Rodman Centter
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2009
Rippin' Good Cookie Outlet 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 420 E. Oshkosh Street Sample and buy cookies for the holidays! Breakfast With Santa* 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Royal Ridges, Hwy 23 West Holiday Craft Show 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Maplecrest Manor, 150 N. Douglas Street Purchase gifts from area crafters. Money raised will benefit the Ripon Santa Club.
Christmas Crèche 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 217 Houston Street View a variety of international Nativity collections including ones from Africa, Guatemala & Spain
Historical Society Open House 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lawson House, 515 Ransom Street
Tour of Homes* 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Seven beautiful homes decorated for the holidays. Shuttle Bus to homes available-$1.00 per person
Enchanted Forest* 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. First Congregational Church, 220 Ransom Street Holiday House at Primrose 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. W12414 E. Hwy 23 Area artists and crafters displaying their wares
Dickens of a Christmas Holiday Story Time at the Library 10:30 a.m. Ripon Public Library, 120 Jefferson Street Books, stories, songs & crafts to warm a Victorian soul! SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2009
Holiday Brunch* 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Enjoy musical sounds of the season Royal Ridges, Hwy 23 West Ripon High School Polka Band with Tuba Dan Show & Brunch* 10:30 a.m to Noon CJ's at the Wayside W13201 Cork Street Road, at Douglas Street 920-748-7726 for ticket information 15th Annual Dickens of a Quilt Show 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Horicon Bank, 400 Watson Street Enchanted Forest* 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. First Congregational Church, 220 Ransom Street
Holiday House at Primrose 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. W12414 E. Hwy 23 Area artists and crafters displaying their wares
Ripon College Choral Union Concert 3:15 p.m. Demmer Recital Hall, CJ Rodman Center for the Arts, Ripon College
*There is a fee for these events. Tickets for some events will be available at the Ripon Chamber Office, Ripon Drug/Ben Franklin and Pick'n Save in early November.
******************************** For more information: (920) 748-6764 or chamber@ripon-wi.com