Charles Dickens bicentenary events in the Bay area

Charles Dickens was born February 7, 1812 in Portsmouth, England, and of course grew up to become perhaps the greatest writer of his era, and certainly the most famous. Even those who have read nothing of his work are familiar with his Christmas Carol, told and retold in various ways over the years.

He was not a San Francisco author, nor can I find any record of him visiting the Bay Area, but the city seems to love him all the same, celebrating the man and his work each holiday season since 1970 with the Great Dickens Christmas Fair. So it should come as no surprise that on this, the bicentenary of his birth, there are celebratory events planned throughout the year.

What follows is a list that is sure to grow in the coming weeks and months.

Saturday February 4 (San Mateo)

PEERS, the Period Events and Entertainments Re-Creation Society hosts close to a dozen events in any given year, several of them Victorian-themed, so they are sure to put on a doozy for the esteemed author's birthday celebration. A formal Victorian ball and theatrical performance, waltzing to live music by Bangers and Mash, plus what promises to be an impressive period outfits from local costumers. As with all PEERs events, costumes are encouraged but are not a requirement of attendance.

http://www.peers.org/Dickens.html

Tuesday February 7 (San Francisco)

The Mechanic Institute presents the Charles Dickens’ 200th Birthday Anniversary: Film & English Tea, screening the 2002 version of Nicholas Nickebly.

http://www.milibrary.org/events/charles-dickens%E2%80%99-200th-birthday-...

Saturday, February 11 (Monterey)

The Monterey Peninsula Dickens Fellowship will get together on February 11 at the London Bridge Pub, at the head of Wharf No. 2 at Figueroa Street and Del Monte Avenue in Monterey.

http://www.dickensfellowship.org/branches/monterey-peninsula

Thursday, March 1 (San Francisco)

Saturday, August 12 (Alameda)

Another PEERS event, this time outdoors in the sunshine! The Charles Dickens Picnic at Lincoln Park in Alameda. Bangers and Mash will once again supply live music, and the usual “costumes admired but not required” philosophy will be in place.

http://www.peers.org/dickenspicnic.html

November 23-December 23 (Daly City)

Christmas in Victorian London comes to life for your enjoyment. The beloved Bay Area tradition returns for five weekends in 2012, with big plans afoot for the bicentenary.

http://www.dickensfair.com/

For more information on the worldwide celebrations please visit the Dickens 2012 website.

http://www.dickens2012.org/