DICKENS CHRISTMASA Skaneateles Tradition |
Our characters have gotten delayed due to a plague, oh no! They've promised they'll still be here in spirit to bring you "A Distant Dickens Christmas" hosted by the Skaneateles Foundation. Catch up with your favorite Dickens Christmas characters on Facebook and Instagram.
Charles Dickens sends a message:
Dearest Readers, it is with great sadness I must report the current plague has prohibited our personal visit to the Village this season. However, I am thrilled to announce that Queen Victoria, Myself, Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge, and various surprise guests will populate the festivities on the ethereal plane of our Facebook and Instagram realms! Please join the fun of A Distant Dickens Christmas hosted by the Skaneateles Foundation! Your faithful servant, Charles Dickens. God bless us, everyone!
Scroll below for more information on a Distant Dickens Christmas!

What to expect online for a Distant Dickens Christmas
- Caroling
- Short Clips from your favorite Dickens Christmas characters
- Local shop features
- Readings from Father Christmas, Charles Dickens, and Mother Goose
- LOTS of merriment!
What to expect in Skaneateles
- Make sure to pick up a Dickens brochure. Information on all things Distant Dickens and a shopping passport are included in this brochure.
- Chestnuts to-go are available on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas at Howard Hanna and Johnny Angels. These locations will offer chestnuts from 12-4 pm or until they run out.
- Character cutouts of your favorite Dickens Christmas characters will be located around Skaneateles. Snap a photo with one, post it on your social media, and then stop by the chamber to show us and receive a free ornament. If the character cutout is Scrooge you might even receive one of his infamous 'bills'.
- Enjoy holiday music while shopping via speakers that have been placed on lampposts throughout the village.
- Children are encouraged to write their Christmas letters to Father Christmas and leave them in the mailbox at the Skaneateles Chamber. Don't forget to include a return address so that Father Christmas can send you a reply!
- This year we will continue to have bell ringers for the Salvation Army. Shifts are 1 hour and volunteers are always needed. Call 315-685-0552 to learn more.
- Join us in choosing one downtown store to win Best Holiday Window Decorations. While shopping keep an eye on the window displays and vote for your favorite by scanning the QR code in their store. You can scan the code using the camera on your phone.
- When you're looking for something fun to do in our winter wonderland we suggest you whip up a snowman and submit a picture of it to hfenner@skaneateles.com. The winner will receive a $25 Skaneateles Chamber Gift Card!
- Thank you to everyone for shopping locally this year. It means the world to our community!
SHOP, SIP, AND STROLL
Shop, Sip, and Stroll has been extended to four days: Dec. 3, 10, 17, and 20. Those making a purchase on Dec. 3, 10, or 17 at participating downtown Skaneateles stores will receive a coupon for a free or discounted item at the Sherwood Inn, Bluewater Grill, Gilda’s, and other establishments or 15 percent off at the Village Bottle Shop.
On Dec. 20, shoppers making a purchase will receive a coupon for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate from the Skaneateles Bakery, Good Eats & Sips, or Vermont Green Mountain Specialty Co.
The event will occur throughout the entire day. It's a great chance to get your holiday shopping done with an extra incentive for each purchase you make that day!
Parking Information
We ask that if you're planning to park downtown that you park in a designated spot. Respect our businesses and don't use their parking if you are not planning to be a customer. You can find more information on parking in Skaneateles by clicking here.
Photo by Alaina Davis
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
-
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services
Royalty Sponsor
Father Christmas Sponsors
Charles Dickens Sponsors
- Alaina Davis Photography
- Aristocats & Dogs Pet Boutique
- Chestnut Cottage
- 1st National Gifts
- Gallery 54
- Gilda's
- Group M Communications
- Imagine
- Jacobs Press, Inc.
- Johnny Angel's Heavenly Burgers
- Lake House Pub
- Lakeview Auto and Marine
- Lucky Dogs
- Mike's Pizzeria
- Nest 58
- Roland's
- SECNY Federal Credit Union
- Skaneateles 300'
- Vermont Green Mountain Specialty Co.
- White Sleigh...Etc.
Ghost of Christmas Future
- Grossman St. Amour, CPA's - Anna T. Murphy, CPA
- cate&sally
- Hairtique
- Hobby House Toys
- Mirbeau Inn & Spa
- Peggy Brown's Tax Office
- Pomodoro Gift Shop
- Rhubarb
- Skaneateles Artisans Gallery under the stone
- Skaneateles Historical Society
- Skaneateles Suites & Boutique Hotel
- Skaneateles United Methodist Church
- Strawberry Fields Hydroponic Farms
- The Hanley Agency
- The Savage Homestead
- The Wandering Kind
- White & White Antiques and Interiors
Bob Cratchit
- Anyela's Vineyard
- Arbor House Inn and Suites
- Bijou Hair Salon
- Emma + James
- Finger Lakes Helicopter
- Good Eats & Sips
- Hannum House
- Law Office of Charlene McGraw
- Local Branch
- Mid-Lakes Navigatin Co., Ltd.
- Packwood House
- Patisserie
- Pride + Joy
- Robert D Gray Funeral Home
- Rosalie's Cucina
- Sea Culture Brand / Sakran & Shaw
- Skaneateles Antique Center
- Skaneateles Brewery
- Skaneateles Ski Hill
- Stacianery
- The Gray House
- Village Bottle Shop
- Village Inn
Tiny Tim
- Ameriprise Financial, Inc. - D. William Winkelman
- Friends of Honor Flight Syracuse
- Ice Hot Concepts
- 2W Lake
- Maple Seed Creative