What better way to celebrate the holidays than with a vintage bash in Victorian London?

Well…. not really Victorian London, but close. A few weeks ago, I attended the Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco. I’ve done my fair share of decorating for the holidays, but this fair really takes it to the next level.

Top: Dickens Fair Ticket, Bottom: Book Shop

The Dickens Fair is a themed convention where actors and entertainers roam the center to give you real blast from the past experience. The costumes, shops, and eateries were festive and lively. All the details were carefully thought out, including the authentic Victorian costumes and actors with British accents!

The Pub Band at the Fair

The food was also incredible. I had double servings of meat pies (my absolute favorite), as well as a Scottish pasty, fish and chips, and a strawberry scone. All of the items were spot on in taste, and even more amazing was the fact that they were so authentic and representative of the Dickens theme.

Clockwise from top left: Strawberry Scone, Cottage meat pie, Scottish pasty, Racks of fresh meat pies

I also decided to take a leap and opt for the full Absinthe tasting. Although dangerously strong and overwhelmingly anise tasting, it seemed appropriate to give the Green Fairy a try. It was quite an eye-opening experience– one that I will not need to repeat for a very long time.

A dangerous tasting of Absinthe

After hours of shopping, tasting, and enjoying the entertainment, I felt like I had endured 10 glorious Christmas celebrations in one day. Though it was an exhausting event, I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unique holiday experience. I’ll surely be back next year, stuffing my face with meat pies but avoiding the Absinthe bar at all costs.