Twain on Main to take place this weekend

Published 5:32 pm Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Every Memorial Day weekend, the streets of Hannibal trade their quaint charm for the lively spirit of the Twain on Main festival.

What began as a creative nod to Twain’s “Roughing It” has grown into one of Hannibal’s most beloved traditions.

Over the years, the festival has transformed from a modest gathering into a full-scale celebration of storytelling, learning, shopping and eating that draws visitors from across the Midwest and beyond.

The sights are unmistakably Hannibal: the riverfront humming with activity, the iconic landmarks in the background and Main Street alive with movement.

In fact, local shops and eateries have become the backdrop for the event.

The streets are lined with vendors of all sorts and local merchants are open to welcome festival goers and those vendors.

Families return year after year, children have grown up here and visitors became regulars, marking their calendars long before summer began.

This year’s Twain on Main continues the traditions and adds the celebration of 150 years of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Visitors can expect a lineup of live entertainment, from bands to Mark Twain himself.

In Hannibal, the past doesn’t stay in the past.

Every Memorial Day weekend, it puts on a hat, steps into the street and invites you to write your own story! Learn more @historicdowntownhannibal