Charles Dickens’s great-great-great-grandson Oliver Dickens to cut ribbon at London Christmas Village

London Christmas Village, a new immersive family Christmas experience combining live theatre, interactive storytelling, Father Christmas and a traditional Christmas market, will open on Shepherd’s Bush Green on Saturday 28 November 2026.

Actor Oliver Dickens, the great-great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, will officially open the Village by cutting the ribbon during its inaugural Community Day, which will also serve as the event’s official press day.

Running until 23 December, London Christmas Village invites families to step inside an original story inspired by the atmosphere of Dickensian London. Visitors will journey through a series of seven theatrical settings, discover the secret of Father Christmas’s smallest helpers, enjoy an All-Elf Theatre performance and meet Father Christmas before entering the Christmas Village Square.

The values behind Dickens’s Christmas story
Oliver Dickens’s involvement reflects more than the Village’s Dickensian setting.

Charles Dickens conceived A Christmas Carol after becoming deeply troubled by poverty, child labour and the treatment of poor children in Victorian Britain. He initially intended to publish a political pamphlet but decided that an emotionally powerful Christmas story could reach more people and have a greater impact.

Through Scrooge’s transformation, Dickens placed generosity, compassion and responsibility towards others at the heart of Christmas.

During his ribbon-cutting speech, Oliver Dickens will reflect on that history and its connection to the values at the centre of London Christmas Village: kindness, generosity and care for others.

Kate Love, co-founder of London Christmas Village, said:
“Our Dickensian inspiration is about much more than how the Village looks. Dickens understood that a Christmas story could encourage people to think about how they treat others—particularly children, families and people facing hardship.

‘Kindness, generosity and care for others are central to our story and to what we want London Christmas Village to represent. Having Oliver Dickens open the Village creates a genuine connection between those values and the tradition that inspired us.’

Oliver Dickens said:
“My great-great-great-grandfather did not write A Christmas Carol simply to entertain. He wanted to draw particular attention to rife social inequality, immense poverty and abhorrent mistreatment of children to remind us that we all share responsibility to care for one another”

A village with a community purpose
Opening day will be designated Community Day, providing complimentary admission to local Shepherd’s Bush families of low-income or social housing who might not otherwise be able to attend.

Michael Caselli, co-founder of London Christmas Village, said:
“When we chose Shepherd’s Bush Green, we decided that the surrounding community had to be at the heart of the event.

‘Some of the homes closest to the Village are social housing blocks directly overlooking the Green. It was vitally important to me that the children living there would be invited inside to experience the Village, regardless of means, and not overlook this amazing Christmas gift but be unable to participate.’

The Village continue’s its community programme after the public season ends. On Christmas Eve, it will host a complimentary dinner for up to 120 invited guests experiencing homelessness, in partnership with Glass Door Homeless Charity.

Press Day
The official opening and press day will take place on:
Date: Saturday 28 November 2026
Location: London Christmas Village, Shepherd’s Bush Green, London W12
Press arrival: TBC
Ribbon-cutting ceremony: TBC Accredited media will be invited to attend the ceremony and experience selected elements of London Christmas Village. Attendance, interview, photography and filming requests should be directed to the media contact below.

Visitor information
Dates: 28 November-23 December 2026
Opening hours: 9am-9pm daily
Location: Shepherd’s Bush Green, London W12
Tickets: From £15, £35 or £60 depending on your journey selection
Website: www.LondonChristmasVillage.com


ENDS

Notes to editors
About Oliver Dickens
Oliver Dickens is an actor and the great-great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens. He regularly participates in readings, guided walks, commemorative ceremonies and events exploring the life, work and continuing legacy of his famous ancestor.

About London Christmas Village
London Christmas Village is an immersive family Christmas experience created especially for families with children aged 10 and under. Located on Shepherd’s Bush Green, its approximately two-and-a-half-hour Full Journey combines three different live theatrical experiences, interactive storytelling, richly decorated environments, a personal meeting with Father Christmas and a child-focused Christmas Village Square.

The Square features seasonal food, market stalls, a traditional carousel, family activities and live entertainment. Every setting, character and activity forms part of one original story, allowing families to step inside a magical Christmas world.

London Christmas Village is created and operated by The Seasonal Events Company Ltd.

www.LondonChristmasVillage.com
Media enquiries and accreditation
Kostas Zachoudanis
kostas@theseco.com
High-resolution illustrations, event artwork, production information and interview requests are available through the media contact.

Contact Information

Kostas Zachoudanis

Press Relations

The Seasonal events Company

media@theseco.com