The Freight's favorite musician for all seasons, Laurie Lewis, hosts our exuberant family holiday celebration, setting alight the longest night of the year with great music and food, an exchange of gifts, and a visit by one of the season's most famous proponents -- not to mention some of the Bay Area's hottest performers donating their services in support of the Freight.

A key figure in bluegrass, traditional, and folk music circles, Laurie's songwriting, fiddling, and crystal-clear singing have brought her national recognition, a Grammy, and two International Bluegrass Music Association Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year. Her Grammy-nominated duet partner, mandolinist/singer, Tom Rozum, will join Laurie on stage for some of the pair's signature red-hot playing and beautiful vocals.

Cascada de Flores, featuring Arwen Lawrence de Castellanos and Jorge Liceaga, return for another sizzling musical exploration of the love story between Cuba and Mexico. With their stellar vocal and instrumental prowess and red-hot repertoire, Arwen and Jorge never fail to win hearts and set bodies in motion!

An accomplished and versatile master of mandolin, guitar and violin whose playing is as imaginative and adventurous as it is technically thrilling, Mike Marshall joins us with special music chosen for the occasion.

Tonight, we are also honored to present the Freight debut of renowned British author and holiday icon, Charles Dickens. As channeled by famed Great Dickens Christmas Fair actor, Martin Harris, Mr. Dickens doles out a hefty dose of Victorian good cheer, reading passages from his famed holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, and distributing gifts to young and old from under the Freight Christmas tree.