Dickens Victorian Village – Cambridge Ohio
A Holiday Event That Brings “Dickens” to Life.
Every holiday season, with the help of the numerous Dickens Village volunteers and area businesses, Downtown Cambridge is transformed into a Dickens Victorian Village. Life-sized, handmade Dickens characters wearing various pieces of vintage clothing are placed throughout the town. Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, as well as other Dickens characters, help create the various Village scenes throughout Downtown.
This year (2024) there are 163 lifelike characters (95 classic scenes) placed throughout the town and in store fronts. Every time I turned around I found another one. Unfortunately, I did not have time to find them all. Another reason to head back next year.
Travelers from all over come to view the towns beautiful display of figurines, shop the local stores, take a carriage ride on select nights, enjoy their yearly tea and Victorian events, listen to carolers, and just take in the magic of the Dickens Victorian holiday.
Plan to stay for the lights.
Not to be outdone by the town’s Dickens characters and scenes, the Historic Guernsey County Courthouse comes to life each evening during the holidays, showing off its thousands of twinkling holiday lights that are all set to Christmas music. A truly magical holiday time. Bring a chair if you want to just sit back and enjoy the show.
Celebrating their 19th season!
Event dates: November 1-January 1, 2025
Dickens Victorian Village Welcome Center
Open Monday-Thursday, 10am-6pm and Friday and Saturday 10am-7pm.
Closed all holidays.
Location: 708 Wheeling Ave., Cambridge, OH
Tele: 740.421.4956
Costumed volunteers will great you and answer any questions you may have. A walking tour brochure, as well as holiday souvenirs, can also be found at the Welcome Center.
Make sure you check out the display that shows you how the beautiful faces are created.
Throughout the holiday season, the Dickens Victorian Village committee arranges various special events including a Victorian Tea. In 2023, I was able to snag a ticket early. (Tickets become available in November and are limited.) It was a delightful tea, that included a little Victorian history and delicious plate of sandwiches and treats.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY STOPS
KENNEDY’S BAKERY
Little puffs of goodness is what I call their glazed donut centers. Really? Did they have to make them so darn good? Since 1925, this local bakery has been creating baked goods from scratch. Donuts, breads, cakes, pies, pastries, cupcakes, and more. From the moment you enter this bakery, your mouth starts to water. Kennedy’s Bakery has a huge local and regional following, as well as quite a social fan base. The word is getting out.
My Ohio Fun Road Trip Notes:
Make sure you stop early for the best selection. Some of my favorite bakery selections include the glazed donut centers, their English Muffin bread, the powdered raised donuts, and their Cinnamon Crispies. If you need a cup of coffee to go along with your donut, no worries they sell that too.
1025 E Wheeling Ave, Cambridge, OH 43725
740-432-2301 | kennedysbakery.com
THEO’S RESTAURANT
Oh my, those pies! For over 90 years, Theo’s has been serving home-cooked meals and their famous “Mile High” pies. Theo’s bake their pies daily on the premises. This Downtown Cambridge restaurant serves everything from burgers to pasta to salads to an Oriental Chicken Stir-fry. And if you love hot dogs, Theo’s Famous Coney Island Sauce includes mustard, onions, and their Coney sauce. Don’t forget to check out their daily specials. But no matter what you order, you’d better leave room for a slice of one of their pies. Pie flavors can include chocolate cream, chocolate peanut butter, Dutch apple, lemon meringue, Oreo, custard, banana, cherry, and peanut butter. The staff will be more than happy to share iwth you the pie list of the day. Did we tell you they are “Mile High” pies?
My Ohio Fun Road Trip Notes:
Theo’s is open Monday-Saturday and Closed on Sunday. If you are looking to bring a group to the area, Theo’s offers catering and has a separate area in the restaurant for events.
632 Wheeling Ave, Cambridge, OH 43725 | 740-432-3878
theosrestaurant.us
SHOPPING
Leave time to do a little shopping. I have listed below a few of the stops that I enjoyed during my day’s adventure.
BOOKOLOGY
646 Wheeling Ave, Cambridge, OH 43725
740-421-9671 | Facebook page.
Cute bookstore. Nice selection of books. The perfect stop to purchase a gift for yourself or someone else.
BLACK CAT VINTAGE
637 Wheeling Ave, Cambridge, OH 43725
740-995-8370 | blackcatvintageohio.com
The minute I opened the door, I was greeted by two real black cats. The two guard this Vintage store and all the unique items that are displayed throughout the store.
COUNTRY BITS
700 Wheeling Ave, Cambridge, OH 43725
countrybits.com
Home decor, candles, collectibles, gifts and more.
ELLIE’S COTTAGE
653 Wheeling Ave, Cambridge, OH 43725
Facebook page.
Gift boutique.
JUST OUTSIDE OF DOWNTOWN
When I am traveling to Cambridge, I like to stop at Mosser Glass first. They are a short ride off the freeway and I pass them on my way into town. Check their website for open times and the glass factory tour if you are interested. The store decorates with the season.
MOSSER GLASS
9279 Cadiz Road, Cambridge, OH 43725
740.439.18247 | mosserglass.com
Glass Factory Tours and Showroom hours can be found on their website.
(located approximately ¼ West, of I-77, Exit 47.
MY OHIO FUN ROAD TRIP NOTES:
Before you go:
Visit the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitor and Convention Bureau website to view their Travel guide, request a FREE copy, and/or to check their list of additional itineraries. They can even help point you in the right direction for local accommodations.
Many of the places are closed on Sunday. Check schedules before heading out.
There is street parking with a time limit. Additional parking located throughout the town.
Most shopping, dining and accommodation locations take credit cards. There are ATM’s throughout the county.
What to bring:
A camera. Always pack a cooler for those perishables you may find along the way. Wear walking shoes and dress weather accordingly.
Driving miles to Zanesville:
From Akron – 100 miles
From Charleston, WV – 140 miles
From Cincinnati – 190 miles
From Cleveland – 120 miles
From Columbus – 85 miles
From Pittsburgh, PA – 110 miles
From Toledo – 220 miles
Where to stay:
You can find plenty of accommodations around Guernsey County. Chain hotels, bed & breakfasts, unique cabins, as well as camping locations. Our friends at the Cambridge Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau are happy to assist you in finding the accommodations.
Want to learn more? The staff at the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitor and Convention Bureau can help you plan your trip, find accommodations, as well as send you a FREE visitor guide. If you find yourself in town you can also stop by. There office is located in Downtown Cambridge near all the action.
627 Wheeling Ave., Suite 200, Cambridge, OH 43725
740.432.2022 | visitguernseycounty.com
Article and photos, unless noted by: MyOhioFun.com
Diane is the owner and editor of MyOhioFun.com and the Tea Cup Rescue Society. She is an avid baker, gardener, Little Free Library owner, who loves to read and travel. She spends most of her days sharing her love of things to do in Ohio, as well as creating destinations and itineraries for group tours and individual travelers.
***Disclosure: My Ohio Fun receives compensation from banner advertising and affiliate links. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***
This article original posted in 2023, updates for the 2024 season have been added.
