Great Recitations Dickens Festival

Celebrate the city's link with esteemed author Charles Dickens during the weekend of his birthday.

Starting with a parade from the Cornmarket, site of the Public Hall where the author provided Worcester with a reading of "A Christmas Carol" to Script Haven, formerly the Swan Hotel visited by Dickens in 1858, the weekend includes free Victorian themed games in Cathedral Square, themed cakes, and amazing events:

Sat 7th 5pm : an evening with Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, Dickens' 3x great-grandaughter, renowned author & historian
Sat 7th 7pm : Don't go into the Cellar! presents "Edwin Drood"
Sun 8th 5pm : Prof. Christine Skelton presents "Dickens - the man"
Sun 8th 7pm : Great Recitations Charity Ball and auction

Early Bird Tickets available until 4th January 2026.
Day and Weekend passes available