As the evenings grow darker, we’ll gather together for an afternoon of literature, festive treats and thoughtful conversation at our salon.

🎄“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

Join us for a cosy Victorian Christmas Literary Salon inspired by the festive writing of Charles Dickens and Manchester’s own Elizabeth Gaskell.

As the evenings grow darker and the air turns cold, we’ll gather together for an afternoon of literature, festive treats and thoughtful conversation ~ reviving the tradition of the Victorian literary salon, where readers and writers met in private homes to share stories, ideas and companionship.

🔥 A Cosy Winter Gathering

This salon takes place at a beautiful venue in Didsbury, where candlelight will set the scene for a relaxed festive gathering.

These salons are intentionally small to allow for thoughtful conversation ~ much like the intimate literary gatherings that were once common in Victorian drawing rooms.

📚 Dickens, Gaskell & the Spirit of Christmas

This salon will explore the literary friendship between Dickens and Gaskell.

Elizabeth Gaskell lived here in Manchester and became one of the regular contributors to Household Words, the magazine edited by Charles Dickens.

Their relationship was warm but occasionally lively ~ Dickens famously found it rather stressful that Gaskell had a tendency to send her writing alarmingly close to the printing deadlines!

Despite this, he greatly admired her work, and their collaboration produced some of the most memorable Victorian writing.

📖 Readings to Begin the Conversation

We’ll begin the afternoon by sharing passages from two classic Christmas texts.

From A Christmas Carol:

“Much they saw, and far they went, and many homes they visited, but always with a happy end…”

And from The Old Nurse’s Story, which appeared in a Christmas edition of Dickens’ magazine:

“It was a bitter cold night, and the snow lay thick on the ground…”

These passages capture two sides of Victorian Christmas literature ~ the warmth and generosity of Dickens, and the wonderfully gothic winter atmosphere Gaskell was so skilled at creating.

📚 Bring a Favourite Passage

You’re very welcome to bring along a favourite book by Dickens or Gaskell if you have one.

There will be the opportunity to share any favourite passages or reflections if you would like to ~ though quiet listening and festive conversation are equally welcome.

After all, winter evenings are surely among the very best times for reading.

Equally, you’re welcome to bring a notebook or sketchbook if you’d like to capture any thoughts or inspiration during the afternoon.

🌙 A Festive Literary Escape

This gathering is intended to feel like stepping briefly into another century ~ a world of books, candlelight, winter stories and thoughtful company.

Hosted by a lifelong reader of Dickens & Gaskell who studied Comparative Literature at the University of St Andrews and later worked as a Literacy Specialist.

Whether you are a devoted Dickens enthusiast, a lover of Victorian gothic tales, or simply curious to experience the charm of a literary salon, you will be most warmly welcome.

With mulled wine, good books and candlelight, it promises to be a most agreeable Christmas gathering indeed.

🎀 Guests often enjoy dressing a little elegantly for these salons ~ something comfortable yet slightly elevated that makes the gathering feel like a special occasion.

🎟 Due to the intimate nature of these events and limited number of places available, tickets are non-refundable.

Description supplied by the event organiser.