As the official "Christmas Capital of North Dakota," Garrison hosts the Dickens Village Festival, an enchanting experience for families yearning for a magical Christmas celebration. The Dickens Festival is a Victorian-era experience inspired by Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. Garrison transforms from a quaint town of 1,500 into an idyllic village fit for all ages. Guests can partake in craft shows and contests, savor food from street vendors, and watch in awe during the lighted Main Street parade at dusk.
The most beloved attractions of all, however, are riding the Queen Elizabus and tossing fruitcakes at the annual fruitcake toss. The Queen Elizabus is an authentic double-decker bus straight from England — fixed up and redecorated, of course. Guests can enjoy the magical streets of Garrison during the lighted parade while listening to Christmas carolers singing holiday hymns. If guests are looking for more of a challenge, the fruitcake toss is sure to be the perfect fit and has become a favorite of all ages. The rules of the toss are simple: the longest toss wins a prize. This year, the total prize money is more than $800!
