Activity Downtown Franklin
Dickens of a Christmas
An activity in Downtown Franklin, free to visit and worth about 3 hours. Best time to go: Second weekend of December.
Why go
Two-day street festival on Main Street with costumed Dickens characters, carolers, artisan stalls and food vendors.
It is one of 9 curated places we feature in Franklin, alongside 2 activities, 2 places to eat and 2 sights. 5 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Gray's on Main and Puckett's Franklin.
- Type
- Activity · Culture
- Neighborhood
- Downtown Franklin
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 3 hr
- Best time
- Second weekend of December
Nearby
The 6 closest curated picks in Franklin, measured as straight-line distance.
- 1Gray's on Main
Southern restaurant and bar in the old Gray's pharmacy building, under its landmark neon sign.
Food · 0.0 mi straight-line - 2Puckett's Franklin
Offshoot of the old Puckett's grocery in Leiper's Fork, serving barbecue, Southern plates and live music downtown.
Food · 0.1 mi straight-line - 3Franklin Theatre
Restored 1937 Main Street movie house that screens holiday films and hosts Christmas concerts in December.
Activity · 0.1 mi straight-line - 4The Harpeth
Downtown Franklin hotel a block from Main Street, within walking distance of the Dickens festival.
Stay · 0.1 mi straight-line - 5Lotz House
1858 house museum on Columbia Avenue that stood at the center of the Battle of Franklin.
Sight · 0.5 mi straight-line - 6Carnton
1826 plantation house that served as a field hospital during the 1864 Battle of Franklin, with the McGavock Confederate Cemetery.
Sight · 1.6 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Dickens of a Christmas is a stop on our Nashville & Franklin route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More things to do in Franklin
Another curated activity in Franklin. See the full Franklin guide.
When to go
Average daily highs in Franklin run from 45°F in January to 89°F in August; February is usually the wettest month. For Dickens of a Christmas itself, we suggest: Second weekend of December.
Modelled monthly averages for Franklin from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Franklin weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Dickens of a Christmas, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 35.92500, -86.86917
- Destination
- Franklin, Tennessee
Dickens of a Christmas: quick answers
How much time do you need at Dickens of a Christmas?
Plan on about 3 hours at Dickens of a Christmas. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Dickens of a Christmas?
Our pick: Second weekend of December. Insider tip: Park in the free downtown garages early; Main Street is closed to cars during the festival.
Is Dickens of a Christmas free?
Yes, we list Dickens of a Christmas as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include Dickens of a Christmas?
Dickens of a Christmas appears on Nashville & Franklin, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Dickens of a Christmas to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Franklin.
Plan Franklin
- Franklin travel guide 9 places
- Best time to visit Franklin weather by month
- Nashville to Franklin 17 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in Franklin
- Arrington Vineyards Drinks
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.