Dickensian Evening

On a cold, dark Thursday evening in early December, Lostwithiel lights up with its Dickensian Evening. The ever-popular festive event has been running for many years. The streets are filled with crowds who come to enjoy the old fashioned, traditional Christmas experience.

The evening starts off at 6pm with the town cryer, church bells, followed shortly by the Town Band outside the Museum.  Stiltwalkers, and other Victorian characters will join you in the streets along with many locals and visitors - join in if you fancy.   Our shops around town are open until 9pm and many shopkeepers dress up in Victorian garb too.

Stiltwalkers, Choirs, Bands, Musicians and Buskers, perform throughout the evening in the street and in venues around town, singing carols and festive music.

Vintage, Antiques, Homespun, Craft, Food & Drink and gift stalls can be found in the Church Rooms, Social Club, down Fore Street and the Parade Area.

For children there's a traditional Santa's grotto (Santa might even be in green robes rather than red, just for a change).

There are plenty of refreshments with restaurants and cafes open all night and hot food from street vendors. Of course there will be lashings of mulled wine or mulled cider available too. Great street food including a hog roast.

While you're in town, you can take in the festive scenes in the annual Advent Window Trail and the illuminated Christmas trees above shops and houses.

The museum is open to the public, you can visit St Bartholomew's Church which will have a full evening of music, just wander in and enjoy the performances.

Once the festivities finish up around 9pm, the evening continues in local pubs and clubs, if you wish to carry on.

Why not join in the dressing up fun and kit yourself out Victorian style, we love to see people making the effort.

Get here early to avoid the rush or why not come by train or bus and forget the car; not only do you not need to worry about parking in our medieval town but you can also partake happily of all the festive drinks on offer - sensibly of course!