By Jan Wahl–
The holiday spirit can be elusive these days, so I have two fabulous events that I go to in order to find the glittering, positive, candy cane world of this time of year.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
The first one takes us to a Victorian Christmas by way of the Cow Palace. It is immersive fun: a historical reenactment of all things Dickens. Shop, play, and feast in “London”—the pubs, food, amazing shops, theatre, and music—it is the 40th anniversary of the Dickens Fair!
Producer Kevin Patterson is a key visionary of this annual tradition. Ever since he was a little boy growing up in the Bay Area, he was immersed in historical reenactment. His parents were amazing people who began the Renaissance Fair. He was involved in the Renaissance Fair, from building sets to making costumes to acting out characters of the time. Forty years forward, his brilliant theatrical parents passed and Patterson took the reins of The Dickens Fair, with his own son working alongside him. But it is not work for him; it is a passion to get everyone in the holiday spirit over acres of Victorian London. It really works for me!
Patterson told me for the San Francisco Bay Times: “There are hundreds of performers, set builders, designers, prop masters, new experiences like the Jekyll and Hyde mystery, Sherlock Holmes pub crawl, Mad Sal’s girls with rowdy period music, a waltz floor for the classier folk, merry-go-round and creativity for kids, wandering carolers, and remarkable Dickens characters in costume.”
A place always to find me, after I buy some fish and chips, is the Athenaeum Club, a destination for “notables of the day” to meet and speak. There is Oscar Wilde, Ann Lister (Gentleman Jack), H.G. Welles, and Edgar Allen Poe. They can all answer questions about their characters, from the LBGTQ presence at the time to women’s rights to politics of the period. This year I bought some Celtic jewelry, a cat ornament, feather pins, and a gorgeous man’s scarf. Unique Christmas present heaven!
The Great Dickens Fair is weekends now through December 22, 10–6 pm. It is $45 dollars, and $25 for ages 5–12. It is a fair price for a remarkable Fair experience. Log onto https://dickensfair.com/
Holidays at the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
For over a century, the Fairmont San Francisco has enchanted guests with its amazing holiday gingerbread house and holiday tea. Lovingly built with a complete edible exterior, this two-story wonder takes the holidays to a new level. The culinary team, led by Executive Chef Chad Bayless, gives us 22 feet high and 23 feet wide of wonderment. Next to the gingerbread house and behind the huge lighted tree is the Make-a-Wish Greater Bay Area display, giving a deeper sense to this time of giving. While at the Fairmont, enjoy a holiday Mai Tai in the Tonga Room. And dance to their live music!
There’s East Bay magic at the Claremont Hotel (now also part of the global Fairmont chain) with their holiday teas and one of my favorite restaurants, Limewood. I still dream of their sour cream chive Parker House rolls. Their spa and pools might be perfect for that holiday hangover.
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa is also in on the festive act, with gorgeous décor, delicious food, and wine at Santé, and spa treatments galore. The Fairmont hotels kindly allow dogs, at least in most cases and following their pet policy, so my little girl gets to enjoy the holidays, too!
The Festive and Fabulous
And, of course, we have the festive and fabulous traditions. These include the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus holiday concerts, The Golden Girls Live at the Curran Theatre, and even snuggling in with what Hallmark is calling their first LBGTQ Christmas film: The Christmas House. Maybe there’s hope yet! Let’s stay as positive as possible. Happy holidays, everyone!
Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian and film critic on various broadcast outlets. She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at www.janwahl.com
Off the Wahl
Published on December 5, 2024
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