Get ready for Tavistock's Dickensian Evening!

It’s that time of year - get ready for Tavistock’s Dickensian Evening.

The Dickensian evening on Friday December 6 will include the Christmas lights being turned on, period costumes and the lantern parade.

Pillars and businesses from across the Tavistock community are gearing up for this very special night and festive season.

Dickensian Evening is a wonderful occasion in Tavistock. It is a tradition that truly marks the start of the Christmas season in the town and brings cheer to so many. The event is brought to you by the businesses of our town, who fund it and make it possible. As they continue to face a great many challenges, tonight we celebrate their resilience and the integral part they play in Tavistock.

It is magical to see the town filled with people enjoying the colourful lights, the windows adorned with seasonal joy and the traditional smells of festive food. Never will you see your town look more festive or be more welcoming.

The official switch-on of the town’s Christmas lights will start at 5:35pm followed by entertainment throughout the town featuring Dan The Hat, Higher Beings and Rosie Rainbow’s Dickensian Circus that has to be seen to be believed. There will be the traditional Christmas carols from local school choirs, music from Banned from the Moor and Terrie-Mae McNulty, hot chestnuts, fairground attractions and Father Christmas. Get ready for some family fun on Bedford Square when host Magic Martin comes out to play!

To complement the town’s shops and eateries, we can also expect a host of other wonderful stalls – selling cider, Christmas puddings, Christmas decorations and mulled wine.

For those looking to join in the lantern parade, it will start at 5pm from St. Eustachius Churchyard before heading off to spread magic through the town.

Once the excitement of Dickensian fades away, don’t forgot you can continue to show your love for Tavistock by grabbing a ‘True Spirit of Christmas’ entry card. Buy 5 Christmas items in town and get the card validated to be in with the chance of winning some lovely prizes! Remember that the True Spirit of Christmas cannot be found online or with the click of a mouse – it’s right here on your doorstep. #supportlocal

The BID thanks the Town Council Operations Department for its continued support at this time of year - from stewarding on Dickensian Evening and managing road closures to the immense effort put into installing the town’s Christmas lights. You can find a full table of events at the bottom of the article.

Dickensian Evening is one of my favourite Tavistock events. I love the lantern parade, the school children singing, the Christmas lights, the beautiful shop windows, the smells of roasting chestnuts and burgers, the whistle of a steam engine or two, and the musical and street entertainment. Our traders and shop keepers make a special effort to welcome and delight locals and visitors alike, sometimes even offering customers a glass of mulled wine or a mince pie. Many dress up in period costume, adding to the special atmosphere, and every now and then snow falls as if by magic from a cloudless sky. High street shops, the Pannier Market and Butchers’ Hall will be open to inspire you to find the special Christmas present that has been eluding you. This is an opportunity to enjoy yourselves, discover what Tavistock has to offer and to support the town by shopping locally instead of online.

Dickensian Evening is organised by the Tavistock Business Improvement District (BID) company, supported by Tavistock Town Council. I would like to thank all those who work so hard to make the evening a success, especially the BID manager, Janna Sanders, without whom Dickensian Evening would not happen.

The Mayoress and I will be walking around enjoying the evening. Feel free to say hello and have a chat. I will be wearing the mayoral robes and chain so we will be easy to spot.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Cllr Paul Ward, Tavistock Town Mayor

“Dickensian is the best night of the year in Tavistock with such a joyous festive atmosphere; at Lawsons we absolutely love it! We get to see so many friendly faces and will be offering mince pies, mulled punch as well as demonstrations and ten per cent off across the store on the evening!” said Liz Lawson.

Lawsons will have demonstrations from gift food supplier Cottage Delights with lots to try and taste, as well as demonstrating the new Dualit Hot Chocolate Maker, so lots of tasty treats. You will also be able to visit their new linens department with some great offers to tempt you too.

Fresh Dartmoor Noble Fur Christmas trees which are known for their beauty, long keep ability, and its stiff branches making it a good tree for heavy ornaments, as well as providing excellent greenery for wreaths and garlands. Get 10% off if you book and pay for collection the next day. So get the whole family involved in choosing your perfect tree. There are also plenty of lights and decorations to choose from too.

So get ready for Christmas with help from Lawsons and enjoy ten per cent off at Dickensian!

Dickensian evening is such a wonderful event in the Tavistock calendar – especially when it is dry! Lions will be busy as usual on the barbecue with our amazing burgers and hotdogs! The town will be alive with people and brightly lit by the Christmas lights and the Lions’ Trees of Light on the Town Hall. Christmas is indeed a special time.

As Lions, we try to help in the celebrations with Santa and his sleigh visiting schools and meeting you in Bedford Square, cards and calendars, and all the other things we do at Christmas time. Throughout the year, we put on events such as Carnival Week and the Fireworks display for everyone to enjoy and we work with many other organisations to support their activities.

However, the serious purpose that lies behind our efforts is to raise money for those in need, for local charities and good causes. Thanks to your generosity and support, in this year alone we will have been able to give nearly £35,000 in donations and community events. All of this helps to make Tavistock a special place in which to live.

On behalf of the Lions, we wish you all a very happy Christmas!

Alan Wroath - President of the Lions Club of Tavistock.

So where did 2024 go?

Rotary have once again managed to persuade Santa to join us with his sleigh as in the past few years and he will look forward to greeting as many children of all ages throughout the evening.

As Dickensian Evening is quite late this year, Rotary will be starting the house-to-house collections with Santa and his sleigh during the week leading up to Dickensian. Details of the house-to-house collections will be on our Facebook page.

This year our chosen charity is the Devon Air Ambulance, who do a fantastic job especially having to cover such a large county as Devon.

We all wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a joyous and peaceful New Year.

Guy Talbot, President of the Rotary Club

As you walk the streets and breathe in the festive atmosphere, there are a host of lovely shops and stalls to tempt you plus exciting performers on hand to entertain you, including: