2025 Dicken's Fest & Viking Trip Raffle @ The Park Theatre

With more than 450 awards to its name, Viking is an acclaimed leader in the ship travel industry and was rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler for the second year in a row in the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. This marks the first time a travel company has won these three categories in back-to-back years.

“The Park Theatre is so blessed and proud to have Viking as the presenting sponsor of this year’s Dickens Fest. Viking is one of most admired cruise ship companies in the world. Their gift of a European cruise for two to help us raise funds for our nonprofit theatre is so generous and kind. Beyond fundraising, it will help us make even more news about the robust schedule of events we have scheduled for this year. We can’t thank Viking enough,” said Steve Jackson, CEO and Managing Director of The Park Theatre.

Raffle tickets will cost $25 each (5 for $100) and will go on sale starting Wednesday, November 12. They can be purchased online at parkraffle.com, at the theatre Box Office & lobby and selected retail locations. The winning ticket will be drawn on Sunday. December 21 at 2 p.m. in the theatre lobby. Ticket holders need not be present to win. Must be 18 or older, and a citizen of the U.S. to enter. Full details and rules can be found at the website.

Dickens Fest Schedule Announced

The third New England Dickens Fest returns to The Park with 3-weeks of live concerts, a Dickens author chat, multiple Dickens films, a new play about Charles Dickens as well as events such as Dickens High Tea, Reading from the Big Chair (regional celebrities reading from Dickens’ work), the aways popular, Kazoo Caroling Choir, and much more.

Dickens Fest will have its opening ceremonies on Friday December 5. After the candlelight  reading of the festival’s proclamation, the evening’s centerpiece is the return of The Heather Pierson Trio for the fourth time with their performance of the acclaimed Vince Guaraldi jazz soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas. Other music events in December include The New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra with their “A Swingin’ Yuletide” big band concert on Saturday, December 20.

Live events include the world premiere of a new play written by The Park’s CEO, Steve Jackson, entitled Dickens’ America, starring Adam Sowers and directed by Lisa Bostnar on December 13. Also, Charles Dickens expert and author, Eric Stanway, will give a talk on the connection of Brattleboro, Vermont and Dickens’ novel, The Mystery of Edin Drood on December 6. Project Shakespeare brings their annual production of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to the theatre on Sunday, December 21.

Humorists Fred Marple (Ken Sheldon) and Rebecca Rule (NHPBS) will present A Yankee Christmas with stories, comedy and song on December 12.

Movies will include the best adaptations of Charles Dickens novels. They include Great Expectations (1946), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1935), The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992),  David Copperfield (1935), and Scrooge (1935).

The Park will also present their annual screening of It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) on December 7. The acclaimed holiday film starring Jimmy Stewart, is based on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Finally, Santa Claus return to The Park Theatre for pictures with the children at the annual Santa’s Party on December 14. A free screening of the original Home Alone (1990) will be part of the holiday festivities that are sponsored each year by the Given Family.

For tickets, details and the entire schedule of Dickens Fest, go to  dickensfest.org or call the box office (603) 532-8888.

The Park Theatre performing arts center is located in downtown Jaffrey, NH at 19 Main Street. Just 95 minutes from Boston and a one hour drive from Worcester, MA. The facility is fully accessible. Other information about the theatre can be found at parknh.org.