It’s a 27-year holiday tradition in Historic Downtown Franklin on the second weekend in December to travel back in time–about 150 years–to a Main Street from the time of Charles Dickens. That tradition continues this year on Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 9 noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Dickens of a Christmas is a free street festival, is open to the public, and is expected to attract some 50,000 visitors over the weekend.

Anyone is invited to join the fun by showing up in costume and engaging with the characters on the street, or just come as you are and enjoy a beautifully preserved Main Street with more than 70 unique shopping and dining destinations in the 15-block National Register Historic District.

Here’s your all-day entertainment schedule:

Intersection of 4th & Main
Saturday

  • 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Flat Creek Community Contra Dancers – 100 costumed dancers re-enact the dance scene from the Fezziwig Party.
  • 2 p.m.  The Morris Dancers perform a Cornish dance with swords and sticks from the mining communities of Cornwall.

City Hall stage
Saturday 

  • 10-11 a.m. Battle Ground Academy Choral Group
  • 11 a.m. Westmeade Baptist Church, Decatur Al
  • Noon O’Brien Irish Dance Academy
  • 1 p.m. Kristin Butke School of Irish Dance
  • 2 p.m. Scott Ellis School of Irish Dance
  • 3 p.m.St. Philip Catholic Church Emisarios de Cristo
  • 4 p.m  – TBA

Sunday

  • Noon TBA
  • 1 p.m. David Hampton, keyboardist
  • 2 p.m. Harpeth Suzuki Strings
  • 3 p.m. TBA
  • 4:30  Town Sing, starting at the Main Stage on the Public Square and commencing to Historic Presbyterian Church at 5 p.m.

Historic Presbyterian Church at Five Points
Saturday

  • 10-11 a.m.  TRI-M Music Honor Society Chapter 2260 from FHS
  • 11 a.m. to noon Williamson County Youth Orchestra Small String Ensemble
  • Noon to 1 p.m. Eleganza Strings
  • 1-3 p.m. Clearview Handbell Choir
  • 3-4 p.m. Eleganza Strings

Sunday

  • Noon to 1 p.m. Westhaven Carolers
  • 1-3 p.m. Clearview Handbell Choir

Main Street Musicians
Saturday

  • 2 p.m. Harpeth Suzuki Strings in front of Bob Parks Realty
    Kili Walsh (Harpist)
    Abby Bobo (Harpist)
    Donal Himely (Water Harmonica Player)

Cornerstone Presbyterian Church
Caroling

  • Saturday, Dec 8 at 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, Dec 9 at 2 p.m.

Additional Entertainment:

The Town Sing begins Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at the Main Stage and strolls to Historic Presbyterian Church at Five Points at 5 p.m. Everyone is invited to participate in this annual tradition of singing carols. $1 donation requested for candles and song sheets at the Square.

Pulltight Players on 2nd Ave will have an open house at the theatre on 2nd Ave from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, with holiday refreshments and hot beverages courtesy of Just Love Coffee. Visitors can come inside and see the historic theatre and take a tour of the theatre and the set of It’s A Wonderful Life.

At 2 p.m. on Saturday, there will be a special performance of a selection of scenes from the show for visitors.

The Women of St. Philip Catholic Church on East Main invite the public to a ‘Visit with Santa’ during A Dickens of a Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children will visit with Santa –you’re welcome to take your own photos. They will prepare a bag of ‘Reindeer Food’, decorate a cookie and make an ornament. Cost is $5 per child and proceeds benefit Liberty Elementary.