Celebrate the holiday season with the Athenæum’s annual festive, family-friendly marathon reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol! The marathon will begin at 2:15pm and end by 6pm, with an intermission at 3:45pm for a special visit from the Very Merry Dickens Carolers.

Spectators can curl up in the Reading Room in front of a crackling fire (feel free to BYO-Blanket). The library’s precious first edition of Dickens’ classic novel will be on display, and RI Cruisin’ Cocktails will be on hand with festive beverages for sale! Families are invited to visit Miss Lindsay in the Children’s Library to create a decorative cornucopia to hold special treats.

Library admission will be waived for non-members who have purchased a ticket for this event.

Reader details: Interested readers can register for a 6-minute time slot and will be emailed their assigned readings in advance, as well as given a printed copy when they arrive to read. All ages are welcome to participate. Registration for reading slots will open October 28 and is reserved for Athenæum members.