Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 November

This is the seventeenth year for the Ulverston Dickensian Christmas Festival, one of the most popular Dickensian Festival events in the country. It attracts thousands of people but it's not too packed for visitors and local people to wander around and have a fabulous time and savour the wonderful atmosphere of a traditional market town in the Dickensian era.

As a community event, the organisers rely heavily on local people and, as a result, the final programme of events is only firmed up just before the event itself and it could be subject to many last minute changes.

As well as Ulverston's fantastic specialist shops, great pubs and cafes, cobbled streets and great atmosphere, there is a huge variety of free entertainment, free events for children, costume competitions, balloon modelling, horse drawn carriages, music and dancing. The wonderful traditional fairground comes complete with Helter Skelter, and lots of music from traditional folk to brass bands.

The Christmas market offers lots of unusual gifts and festive food with plenty of opportunity for Christmas shopping in a great atmosphere.

Visitors are encouraged to join in by coming in costume and enter into the spirit of the event and take part in the period dress competition and the grand parade around the town, which takes place on both days.

A more detailed line-up of activities and events, including the Dickensian Murder Mystery, can be found on the website: www.dickensianfestival.co.uk