Spartanburg community celebrates the Christmas spirit at 'A Dickens of a Christmas'

Joanna Johnson, Herald-Journal
·4 min read

Spartanburg kicked off the Christmas holiday season Tuesday evening by transforming its downtown with musicians and carolers dressed in Victorian clothing while others took horse-drawn carriage rides, and everyone gathered for the tree lighting ceremony in Denny's Plaza.

People packed the streets for the annual "A Dickens of a Christmas" on Dec. 6. It was the 28th year for the event which had to be canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spartanburg Community College sponsored this year's Christmas event. If you attended the celebration or not, here are five things to know about "A Dickens of a Christmas."

Newcomers meet new friends and enjoy the holiday spirit

Clare Johnson, originally from Kentucky, said this is her second year bringing her daughter. Johnson recently moved to Spartanburg and has enjoyed the events the town offers.

A Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian holiday event that was held in downtown Spartanburg on Dec. 6. A Ferris Wheel was one of attractions in downtown Spartanburg for A Dickens of a Christmas.
A Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian holiday event that was held in downtown Spartanburg on Dec. 6. A Ferris Wheel was one of attractions in downtown Spartanburg for A Dickens of a Christmas.

"We came last year and loved it," Johnson said. "She [daughter] really enjoyed taking her picture with Santa. She's having fun here and we're looking forward to meeting some friends here. We moved to Spartanburg a few years ago and this is one of the things we love about being here, having stuff like this."

Andrew Martin recently moved to Spartanburg from Greer, now being glad he can enjoy events more often.

"It's really fun and lively, especially for a Tuesday night," Martin said. "I love the live music, the s'mores are great and it's super fun. It's a great time, it's great to get out in the community and just to see everyone come out on a cold and foggy night, it doesn't hamper the Christmas spirit at all."

A Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian holiday event that was held in downtown Spartanburg on Dec. 6. Jada Douglas. 16. of Broome High School lights up playing in the 'artificial' snow created for the night.
A Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian holiday event that was held in downtown Spartanburg on Dec. 6. Jada Douglas. 16. of Broome High School lights up playing in the 'artificial' snow created for the night.

Alexander, 11, and Kristopher Valladares, 9, said the atmosphere and decorations made it really feel like Christmas.

"Everyone's happy," Alexander said. "We went to the teen section and played in the snow. We had never seen snow before in our lives."

"We saw a guy dressed up as Spiderman, and my mom got to translate to him," Kristopher said. "I wanted her to tell him that he's my favorite superhero. It made me super happy."

Manmade snow and karaoke

A Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian holiday event that was held in downtown Spartanburg on Dec. 6. A colorful train gave guests a ride around the downtown area.
A Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian holiday event that was held in downtown Spartanburg on Dec. 6. A colorful train gave guests a ride around the downtown area.

Spartanburg businesses passed out hot chocolate and smores, while others made balloon animals and offered teenagers a place to hang out.

Jada Douglas, 16, is a student at Broome High School and the Connect ambassador for the Spartanburg Connect Project. Connect is an organization through the Spartanburg Regional Foundation offers teens support and services for health care initiatives.

Members of Spartanburg Connect organized a designated area for teens to hang out during the event. The space included karaoke, a snow pit and a scavenger hunt that allowed people to receive a free hoodie. Douglas said it was a lot of fun coordinating the ideas with other members.

A Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian holiday event that was held in downtown Spartanburg on Dec. 6. Young people dressed in Victorian period attire for the night.
A Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian holiday event that was held in downtown Spartanburg on Dec. 6. Young people dressed in Victorian period attire for the night.

"We want more teens to be able to know about our resources and us specifically," Douglas said. "As they come through the booths, they will learn a little bit about the spot they are at and can receive a hoodie as well as the knowledge."

Dancers brighten the holiday spirit

Miss Marion's School of Dance performed Tuesday night before later planning to travel to New York to participate in a private dance lesson. Lori Axelrod, a former Rockette and CEO and instructor at Miss Marion's School of Dance, said the dancers are grateful and excited for the experience of participating in Dickens and getting the private lesson from a Rockette.

A Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian holiday event that was held in downtown Spartanburg on Dec. 6. Many came to see the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Denny's Plaza.
A Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian holiday event that was held in downtown Spartanburg on Dec. 6. Many came to see the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Denny's Plaza.

"I was a Rockette in 1982 and 1983, but every summer I take students to dance classes in New York. It's going to be very exciting for these children to go this year and take lessons from another Rockette," Axelrod said.

Hannah Kate Frye, Mary Harper Goodwin and Cece Andrus, 11, are students at Miss Marion's and have been taking dance classes since the age of 2. The three have performed at Dickens of Christmas for four years and said their performances always bring Christmas cheer to everyone.

A Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian holiday event that was held in downtown Spartanburg on Dec. 6. Dani Graham of Spartanburg lights up as she makes candy for kids as part of her candy business for the event.
A Dickens of a Christmas is a Victorian holiday event that was held in downtown Spartanburg on Dec. 6. Dani Graham of Spartanburg lights up as she makes candy for kids as part of her candy business for the event.

Spartanburg Community College President Michael Mikota said the college wanted to showcase a time when people think about giving and think about giving back to their communities.

"Spartanburg Community College showcases that anyone can dream it, chase it and live it. Throughout the course of not just Christmastime, but giving back to your community and to society, and understanding that your talents are a part of the greater Spartanburg community that we all love and cherish," he said.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: A Dickens of Christmas celebrates 28 years of holiday festivities in downtown Spartanburg