Gerald Charles Dickens, great-great grandson of novelist Charles Dickens, peforms "A Christmas Carol" during his one-man show at The Fairmont hotel in San Francisco, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003. Dickens, who has toured the United States performing for the past eight years, will end this year's tour on Christmas Eve in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

NASHUA – During this time of year, families all across Southern New Hampshire celebrate the holiday season with a variety of traditions, both family and cultural. From extravagant turkey dinners to decking the halls – and the outsides of their homes – locals celebrate in a multitude of ways.

Nothing, though, heralds the holiday season like Charles Dickens and his timeless novella “A Christmas Carol.” Its many Hollywood iterations – from animated movies to films starring the likes of Alastair Sim, Reginald Owen, George C. Scott and even Patrick Stewart – are at the top of many people’s holiday viewing lists.

And, speaking of Dickens, Nashua once again will be fortunate enough to welcome the famed author’s great-great grandson, Gerald Charles Dickens, who also is an author and British actor. All this is thanks to Jody Gage and Fortin Gage Flower & Gift Shop, 86 W. Pearl St., in downtown Nashua.

The visit is part of the shop’s kickoff of its 90th Christmas season.

Dickens will perform two shows in his return to the Gate City, including a 12:30 p.m. performance on Dec. 2 at the Court Street Theater, 14 Court St., Nashua.

Presented by the Nashua Senior Activity Center, Dickens will perform “The Signalman,” in which the central character has a premonition of his own death in a rail crash. The famed short ghost story was inspired by one of Charles Dickens’ own experiences, a rail crash in 1865 in Kent, England. In the mishap, the train’s first seven cars plunged off a bridge that was being repaired. The only first-class carriage to stay on the tracks was Dickens.’ The incident haunted the author for the rest of his life, spurring him to seek alternate forms of transportation whenever possible.

“Charles Dickens is well-known for his ghost stories but, ‘The Signalman’ is the most atmospheric of them all,” reads the show summary written by Gerald Charles Dickens on Fortin Gage’s website. “In a deep, damp railway, a lonely signalman tells his terrible tale to a complete stranger. The signal box, the tunnel, even the telegraph wires seem to haunt him at every turn, and my performance reflects the brooding nature of the work.”

Tickets for the show are $20, and may be purchased at the front desk of the Nashua Senior Center, 70 Temple St. or at Fortin-Gage Flower & Gift Shop. This fundraising event for the senior center is sponsored by Byers’ Choice Carolers and Fortin Gage Flower & Gift Shop. Note, tickets will not be mailed. They must be picked up at the above locations or at the will-call window before the show.

For additional information, call 603-882-3371, or visit https://fortingage.com.

Later on Dec. 2, at Sky Meadow Country Club, Dickens will perform the timeless “A Christmas Carol,” at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for that performance are $35 each, and seating is general admission, with no reserved seats. Doors for the Sky Meadow performance will open at 6:30 p.m., and complimentary hors d-oeuvres will be served. Drinks from the bar also will be available.

Tickets for “A Christmas Carol” performance are available at https://fortingage.com/a-christmas-carol-by-gerald-charles-dickens-thursday-dec-02-2021-7-30pm-sky-meadow-country-club/?fbclid=IwAR0smUYFSNn555DvtII0tq3GLnKNaWAz8ta93H15ZYofF7MDp-aV0nkmO50. Please type “will call” in the special instructions line upon checkout if you would like to pick up your tickets at the show, or select “pick up at store.”

In the “Spirit” of “A Christmas Carol,” attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped gift of gift card. All gifts will be distributed to a local nonprofit.

The Sky Meadow performance also is presented by Byers’ Choice Carolers and Fortin Gage Flower & Gift Shop.