Your Questions, Answered

  • The Riverside Dickens Festival is an annual literary and cultural celebration that brings Victorian England and Steampunk to life through performances, vendors, food, and educational programming. It honors the works and world of Charles Dickens while fostering community engagement and historical appreciation

  • The festival is held at White Park, 3901 Market St., Riverside, CA, typically over the last full weekend in late February. The 2027 festival runs February 19–21, 2027

  • Next year’s theme celebrates:

    “A Christmas Carol — A Journey of Hope & Transformation”

    Featuring new performances, expanded children’s programming, Pub Night (separate ticketed event) with a special Saturday evening lantern walk through White Park.

    Mark your calendars — you won’t want to miss it.

  • Visitors can enjoy:

    • Live Victorian‑era performances

    • Author portrayals

    • Historical reenactments

    • Steampunk

    • Food vendors and artisan merchants

    • Educational outreach programs

    • Family‑friendly entertainment and interactive experiences The festival features entertainers and vendors from across the region, offering immersive Victorian goods and experiences

  • The festival was founded in 1992 when Carolyn Grant and Joan Patton convinced the Friends of the Riverside Library that Riverside needed a literary event. Their dedication launched the first festival on a warm September weekend, establishing a tradition that continues more than 30 years later

  • The festival offers applications for:

    • Food vendors

    • Merchandise vendors

    • Victorian performers

    • Author portrayals

    • Educational outreach participants These forms are available through the festival’s official website