DICKENS FESTIVAL NORTH 2026
A Festival Across Newcastle | 17 November – 24 December
In 2026, as the Assembly Rooms Newcastle marks its 250th anniversary, a brand-new festival will launch across the city—celebrating one of its most notable visitors, Charles Dickens.
Dickens Festival North is a rich, atmospheric programme of theatre, performance, storytelling, music, food, and heritage—bringing Dickens’ world vividly to life across Newcastle’s historic spaces.
From grand Georgian interiors to intimate candlelit rooms, the festival invites audiences to step into a living, breathing Dickensian world.
Festival Highlights
Theatre & Performance
The festival opens with a powerful one-man theatrical adaptation of The Signalman, Dickens’ haunting and timeless ghost story.
Audiences can explore Dickens’ world further through:
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Dickens Women – a compelling new piece exploring the women of Dickens’ stories and life
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Mr Dickens is Coming! – performed by Gerald Dickens, offering a lively and deeply personal insight into the man behind the novels.
Immersive Experiences & Events
At the heart of the festival is Dickens Unbound—a spectacular immersive dining experience.
Guests are seated for a four-course Victorian-inspired feast as scenes, characters, and music unfold around them in a fully realised theatrical environment.
From Fagin to Pickwick, Scrooge to Miss Havisham, Dickens’ most iconic characters appear between courses—blurring the line between audience and performance.
Family & Festive Events
For families, PuppetFolk present their much-loved tribute to The Muppet Christmas Carol and other classic songs—bringing festive joy and humour for all ages.
The festival culminates in the much-loved Dickens by Candlelight – A Christmas Carol, performed in the intimate surroundings of Alderman Fenwick’s House.
Talks, Walks & Heritage
Discover Dickens’ connection to Newcastle through a new guided walk led by the Newcastle City Guides.
Beginning at Alderman Fenwick’s House—once the Queen’s Head Hotel where Dickens stayed—the walk traces his footsteps through the city before arriving at the Assembly Rooms.
Additional talks, storytelling events, and special guest appearances will be announced as the festival grows.
A Festival Across the City
Running from 17 November to 24 December, Dickens Festival North spans multiple venues across Newcastle, creating a city-wide celebration of storytelling, heritage, and theatrical craft.
With a bumper programme of theatre, talks, walks, comedy, music, and immersive experiences, this inaugural year sets the stage for a major new cultural tradition in the North East.
Step Into Dickens’ World
Whether you’re discovering Dickens for the first time or returning to beloved classics, Dickens Festival North offers something for everyone—rich in atmosphere, history, and imagination.
Join us this winter as Newcastle becomes Dickensian once more.