When it’s dark, gloomy and rainy it’s always good to have something bright to look forward to. And this Saturday, that’s the Dickens Festival. Held every year in the Stadium District, this is a festival that links the shops and businesses from Rankos through to The Grand Cinema with entertainment worthy of Mr. Pickwick. From 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. there’s live music, a marionette show (though no Punch and Judy this year, alas), magicians, a fascinating-sounding walking ballgown by artist Lynn DiNino, carriage rides and a screening of “Oliver” at The Grand. And it’s all free, except for the Dickens Ball in the evening ($40 tickets.) For full schedule, visit www.dickensfestival.net.

Meanwhile, get into the mood by renting or scrabbling together a costume for yourself: buttoned-up blouses and long skirts for ladies, top hats and coats or caps and waistcoats for men, short-sleeved dresses and muffs for girls and Oliver-Twist-style urchin outfits for boys. You might even win the costume contest. Need to bone up on Fezziwig, Fagin and (my all-time favorite) Uriah Heep? A good information site is charlesdickenspage.com