This year, on Saturday 13th December, the Lymm Dickensian Festival proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary.
As always, the village will come alive with festive cheer and a wonderful array of stalls — from delicious food and drink to beautiful arts and crafts.
The highlight of the day remains the Grand Parade, which begins with the ever-popular Lymm Runners’ Santa Dash — a three-mile fun run through the village and out into the (hopefully) crisp Cheshire countryside.
The parade itself features colourful entries from local schools and nurseries, vintage and classic vehicles, Morris troupes, horses, donkeys, and of course, Father Christmas himself, waving from his festive float.
The very first Lymm Dickensian, held forty years ago, was created by a dedicated group of volunteers — including the late Monica Spence, Nikki Anderson, and Jennie Fallows — with the goal of boosting trade and community spirit within the village.
The original event featured bustling street stalls and traditional Victorian fayre attractions. This year, we’ve worked hard to bring back some of that original Dickensian charm while celebrating all that the event has grown to become.
Lymm Dickensian co-ordinator Colin Oakley said: “To help mark this special 40th anniversary, we’re inviting everyone to join in the fun by dressing up in Dickensian or Victorian-style attire. Think top hats, bonnets, shawls, waistcoats, and mufflers — the more creative, the better! Dressing up adds to the wonderful atmosphere and truly brings the spirit of Dickens’ England to life in the heart of Lymm.
“As ever, prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed person and the best Dickensian-themed window display. So whether you’re donning your finest Victorian outfit or decorating your shop window, join us in making the village look truly spectacular!
“A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone, past and present, who has helped make this beloved community celebration possible — and to the many volunteers and marshals who give their time each year to ensure the day runs smoothly.”
Call for Volunteers
The Lymm Dickensian simply wouldn’t happen without the incredible support of their volunteers. If you’d like to get involved — whether it’s helping with setup, marshalling the parade, or lending a hand on the day — they’d love to hear
from you! It’s a great way to be part of one of Lymm’s most cherished traditions and to experience the festive spirit up close.
As a thank you there are refreshments provided for every volunteer and this year organisers will be randomly selecting one lucky volunteer for a special gift of a meal for 2 at one of the lovely eateries in the village centre!
To volunteer, please email lymmdickensian@gmail.com. Every pair of hands makes a difference!
