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Dickensian Evening is a truly magical occasion in Tavistock — one that marks the start of the Christmas season in the historic town by transporting visitors back to a twinkly time of roasted chestnuts and merry-go-rounds! 

Down every street, shopkeepers embrace the festive spirit, staying open late and dressing themselves and their shops in traditional Victorian attire.  

In recent years, evening entertainment has included the official Christmas lights switch-on, a lantern parade down towards Bedford Square, Christmas carols from local school choirs, Morris dancers, static steam engines, stilt walkers and traditional Christmas rides. 

Dickensian Evening is also a great opportunity to get your last-minute Christmas shopping sorted! A whole host of festive craft and gift stalls can be found around town on the night, as well as stalls from local makers in the Butcher’s Hall. To complement the town’s popular shops and eateries, you can also expect a host of other wonderful stalls – selling cider, Christmas puddings, Christmas decorations and mulled wine.  

To add to the traditional festive feel, visitors are also encouraged to venture across to Tavistock’s St Eustachius church to view their annual Christmas Tree Festival. During the event, schools, charities, businesses, groups, and organisations exhibit a spectacular display of decorated trees at St Eustachius’, and thousands of visitors go along to view the breath-taking displays. The amount raised from the annual festival goes towards maintaining and enhancing the 700-year-old church.  

It's not only lovely to see the town ablaze with colour and cheer, but Tavistock’s Dickensian Evening also provides a great way for the community to support local shops and businesses, most of whom are happy to get into the spirit of things by offering an evening of festivities with their staff in Dickensian dress. 

Visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid the rush. In the run-up to the evening, Tavistock offers free parking in the centre of town from 3pm, as well as a free Park & Ride service that runs from the bus stop at Morrisons supermarket car park to The Bedford Hotel.