Twain on Main

Historic Downtown Hannibal

The annual Twain on Main Festival is heading to the Wild West! This celebration of the life and works of Hannibal’s native son, Mark Twain, sponsored by the Historic Hannibal Marketing Council, returns to historic downtown Hannibal on Memorial Day weekend, May 27th-28th, 2023. The festival will center around Mark Twain’s, Roughing It.

Roughing It, originally published in 1872, is Mark Twain’s semi-autobiographical travelogue of his adventures in the Wild West of the 1860’s. This hilarious record details young Twain’s attempt to make his way in the Wild West, working as a civil servant, silver prospector, mill worker, and finally a reporter and traveling lecturer. And as Twain brought the Wild West to life in Roughing It, Twain on Main will bring to West to downtown Hannibal.

Festival-goers are strongly-encouraged to dress in western attire, but it is not required. Pull out those cowboy boots and cowboy hats! Costume suggestions and links can be found here. The Festival and entertainment are free and great for families. There may be a small charge for some of the rides and activities.

All Day:

• Arts and Craft Festival
• Great Food and Drink, featuring western themed fare
• See Mark Twain perform
• Local street music and entertainment up and down main street.
• Explore local wineries and beers at the Wine & Beer Garden

As in year’s past, those attending the festival will find booths of arts, craft, and music stretching up and down Main Street from Broadway to the Tom & Huck statue. Over a hundred vendor spaces have been made available this year. Enjoy a wide variety of the many wonderful food vendors to enjoy during your festival experience, and this year, adults may also partake of locally-produced wines and specialty craft beers in the Wine & Beer Garden.

Main Street museums, stores and specialty shops will also be open for business during Twain On Main, and the party continues Saturday night with music and merriment at many downtown establishments.