This holiday season, set aside the worries and hustle and bustle of today and gather around the yuletide fire of yesterday with friends and family at Mount Hope Estate & Winery’s 28th annual production of “Dickens of a Christmas.” Opening Thursday, December 1 and continuing through Friday, December 23, this theatrical holiday haven will offer a glimpse of the warmth and wonder of a Victorian Christmas celebration from over 150 years ago, featuring family-oriented holiday shows and merriment for children “ages one to ninety-two.”

You are herby cordially invited to the Fezziwig’s Annual Christmas Party! Bring the whole family to join the
Fezziwigs to usher in the Holiday Season. The first floor rooms of the Victorian Mount Hope Mansion, transformed into intimate theaters, will showcase three separate 30-minute performances to deliver holiday cheer, Christmas sentiment, comedy, and just plain fun.

Step into the Chapel where the Fezziwig children are bursting at the seams waiting for Father Christmas to arrive. Help the children pass the time as they try desperately to stay awake with a wonderful Christmas story, “A Holiday Romance,” and songs of the season.

“A Christmas Dinner,” presented by Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig in the parlour, is the wonderful story of a family Christmas Dinner. Through kindness, love and cheer this The Fezziwigs involve everyone in their favorite aspects of Christmas, with games, songs and fun for all.

It just wouldn’t be a “Dickens of a Christmas” without the Mt. Hope Yuletide traditional performance of “A Christmas Carol.” Charles Dickens himself will bring this classic Christmas story to life. But be warned, Charles loves involving his friends, so audience members may find themselves on stage as part of the story.

The merriment of “A Dickens of a Christmas” will begin Thursday, December 1, and run through Friday, December 23. Friday’s show times are 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday show times are 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Limited weekday shows are available with a show time of 1 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Adult admission is $21.95 weekends and $18.95 midweek. Admission for children, ages 5 to 11, is $9.95.

Special tickets are available for lunch and a show on weekends and dinner and a show on weekdays where patrons can enjoy a buffet lunch/dinner in the Swashbuckler BrewPub & Eaterie before the performances. The Swashbuckler BrewPub & Eaterie will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. for a la carte dining. Call 717-665-7021, ext. 146 for reservations. Menus and Pub times are subject to change. Seating for “A Dickens of a Christmas” performances and Dinner and a Show performances is limited. Tickets can be purchased through the Virtual Box Office at PaRenFaire.com or by calling the Box Office at (717) 665- 7021.

Mount Hope Estate & Winery, placed on the National Register of Historical Places by the United States Government, is located on Route 72 ½ mile south of Turnpike exit 266, 15 miles north of Lancaster and 14 miles east of Hershey.