The streets of Rochester will be transformed into a Dickensian scene this weekend as the annual Dickens Festival makes a return.

The festival, which celebrates the life and times of Rochester's most famous literary legend, Charles Dickens, is one of the highlights of Medway’s festival calendar and this year will take place in Rochester on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2.

There will be fun for all the family including a parade of Dickensian characters and people dressed in Victorian costumes led by the Mayor of Medway from Almon Place at 2pm, along the High Street to the Boley Hill stage.

Hold on to your pockets as Fagin (played by John Endicott) will be roaming the cobbled streets during the festival.

Cllr Howard Doe, from Medway Council, said: “The Dickens Festival is one of the many highlights of Medway’s events calendar and we are looking forward to welcoming thousands of residents and visitors to Rochester once again. We are proud to celebrate our association with Charles Dickens. There will be plenty of fun for all the family to enjoy including parades, live music and performances of Dickens’ works.”

The original domestic goddess, Mrs Beeton, will be at Miss Twinkleton's Fine Coffee House at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm at Miss Twinkleton’s Fine Coffee House, on both days, discussing household management, cookery and the art of entertainment - plus offering the chance to taste Victorian goodies made to her original recipes.

If you have something you’d like to ask Dickens’ great, great grandson, Gerald Dickens, he will be on hand at 3.45pm in the Guildhall Chamber on both days.

The Dutch choir AGK Puur Sangh will perform at 12.30pm and 2.45pm on Saturday at the Blue Boar Lane area while Cracking the Crinoline, an uplifting performance, will be staged at 1.15pm and 3.30pm at the Blue Boa Lane area.

Travel across the country and meet some of Charles Dickens’ greatest characters - Wackford Squeers, Smike, Vincent Crummles and his troupe and Newman Noggs - at a reading of Nicholas Nickleby at noon in the Guildhall Chamber.

Solve the Mystery of Edwin Drood at Eastgate House with an exhibition which explores the novel’s connections with the house and other location in Rochester. The exhibition includes a full-size model of Dickens and an interactive game where you decide on the ending of the author’s final, unfinished work, which has been produced in partnership with the Charles Dickens Museum, London.

Excerpts from Oliver Twist will be performed at a whirlwind pace by Play on Words Theatre Company opposite Crow Lane and there will also be a catwalk competition for visitors to show off their Dickensian garb on Sunday at La Providence. The competition will be judged by Young Queen Victoria and Mr Pickwick. There are four categories - best dressed woman, best dressed man, under 16s and best dressed character. Pre-register at the events information stand on Saturday and up until 11.30am on Sunday.

DETAILS

The Rochester Dickens Festival takes place in the centre of Rochester on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2. For more information visit medway.gov.uk/dickensfestival

Read more: All the latest events across Kent