SKANEATELES, N.Y. -- It was the best of times in the village of Skaneateles, as Charles Dickens helped celebrate the start of the holiday season.

For the 24th year, the village is being transformed into a Victorian-era community for a Dickens-themed Christmas.

Actors portray characters from the Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol."

There are also carriage rides, a snowman building contest and the World's Smallest Christmas Parade.

Dickens Christmas runs every weekend through December 23 from noon to 4 p.m. and from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve.