Victorian Festival of Christmas 2019: November 30th-December 24th
/Victorian Festival of Christmas
November 30th - December 24th
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
Step back in time and enjoy holidays of old in historic downtown Hannibal's Victorian Festival of Christmas! Magical sights and sounds will transport you back more than a century to the wonder and enchantment of a traditional holiday celebration. Carolers, warm greetings and beautifully decorated storefronts will get you into the holiday spirit. Fun for the whole family, we hope you will join us during this most wonderful time of the year!
All-Season Long
Stroll downtown Hannibal for an old fashioned window shopping experience at the Festival of Lights Window Display Competition. Windows throughout downtown light up with magical scenes of Christmas. People’s choice awards will be given to the Most Creative, Most Festive, and Best Lights. Vote once per day from November 30th through December 24th at www.HistoricHannibalMO.com/christmas. Voters will be entered to win an 20 Ticket Passport to the Chocolate Extravaganza ($100 value).
The family fun continues each Saturday with Hannibal’s Santa House located on Historic Main Street across from the Boyhood Home Gardens. Bring your own camera and enjoy free pictures with Santa! Times for the Santa House are listed below:
11/30: 11a-4pm and 5-8pm
12/7: 11a-4pm
12/14: 11a-4pm and 5-8pm
12/21: 11a-4pm
After visiting Santa take the kiddos on a Candy Cane Hunt throughout downtown businesses. Candy Canes will be hidden at 4-5 businesses each weekend. Come back each weekend for a different hunt! Clues for each week can be found on our Facebook Page, Historic Downtown Hannibal or our website.
Take a ride in a horse drawn carriage from Claddagh Carriage Company of St. Louis, MO. Carriage ride availability and schedule will be based upon potential weather forecast due to travel conditions with the horses.
Historic Main Street
Take advantage of great deals with our gift card promotion and holiday sales at downtown businesses! For every $100 purchased in gift cards to downtown businesses, receive a $10 gift card to a random downtown business and a collectible ornament. Proof of purchase must be taken to the Chamber office during business hours to collect prize. Offer valid while supplies last.
Put your baking skills and creativity to work in the Mark Twain Museum's 2nd Annual Gingerbread Contest and Display! Don't miss the delectable display of Gingerbread Houses in the Museum Gallery Window this Holiday Season and vote on your favorites during the Victorian Festival of Christmas' Living Windows on December 14th. You can enter your Gingerbread House design in one of our 3 categories, sponsored by Hannibal's Walmart and County Market stores. Children’s Division is ages 6 – 12, adult ages 13 and over and the third category is the Walmart Gingerbread House kit category. Enter your decorated Gingerbread House from a kit accompanied by proof of purchase from Walmart to be eligible. Gingerbread Houses will be on display to the public in the Museum Gallery window. People's Choice voting will be held during Living Windows on Saturday, December 14th between 5:00 and 8:00 pm. Winners announced at conclusion of Living Windows. Entries will be accepted from Nov. 30th to Dec. 11th to be eligible. For more information and entry details, call Melissa at 573-221-9010. ext. 404
The Hannibal Arts Council's Annual 99 and Under Art Sale, begins on Small Business Saturday. Take advantage of great prices on local art by local artists from November 30th through December 21st. 2019 Artists include Martha Adrian, Kim Caisse, Micheal Cole, Bella Erakko, Brenda Beck Fisher, Milly Johnson, Roger McGregor, Victoria Alewell, Joe Conover, Jeshua Douglas, Linda Gower, Jamie Green, Steve Gumble, Matthew Hemminghaus, Michelle Huseman, Tim Judge, Josh McCurdy, Dakota Meshko, Jen Miller, Nan Poage, Ellen Sheputis, Kimberly Shinn and Russ Toolate.
Christmas Extravaganza - November 30th
Saturday, November 30th
All Day: Small Business Saturday
All Day: Festival of Lights Window Display Competition
Times Vary: Horse Drawn Carriage
10am-5pm: Candy Cane Hunt
10am-4pm: Christmas Extravaganza Headquarters
10am-8pm: Ornament Painting Party at Open Door Studio
11am-2pm: Pianist, Ned Behrensmeyer at Java Jive
11am-4pm: Free Pictures at Santa Claus House
1-3pm: Free Wine Tasting at Chocolaterie Stam
1-3pm: Mark Twain Birthday Celebration
5:00pm: Tree Lighting Ceremony
5-8pm: Free Pictures at Santa Claus House
6:00-9:00pm: Christmas Light Show at Mark Twain Dinette
Kick off your Small Business Saturday holiday shopping and the Victorian Festival of Christmas with the Christmas Extravaganza! Participants can purchase a passport which includes gifts from select downtown businesses of which you get to choose 5 that you would like to redeem. There are also special Small Business Saturday deals available in the passport. Passport are now available for purchase.
Children will also be able to enjoy the Mark Twain Birthday Bash celebrating Mark Twain’s 184th Birthday at the Mark Twain Museum. Enjoy cake, special games, and fun with the Tom and Becky’s from 1-3pm. From 3:00 – 4:00 participate in the 5th Annual Mustache Competition with 3 categories including the Dapper Stache, Manliest Stache and the Mark Twain Stache. Prizes awarded to winners in each.
Children will also be able to make a handmade porcelain angel ornament at Ayers Pottery. Limited to children ages 5-12 yrs. Old. Cost is $6.00 per child and one ornament each. Spaces are limited, RSVP By November 22nd. Call for your space at (573) 221-6960.
Bring the family and have fun painting ornaments for everyone on your gift list at the Ornament Painting Party from 10am to 8pm on Saturday 11/30 at Open Door Studio. You can use one Christmas Extravaganza passport ticket per ornament. Ornaments painted with acrylic paints will be ready to take home the same day. Upgrade to use ceramic glazes and let us personalize with names and dates for additional $2 per ornament.
Pianist, Ned Behrensmeyer will perform at Java Jive during the day which you can enjoy while taking advantage of their Christmas Extravaganza item of ½ pound bags of coffee for one passport ticket. Free wine tastings will be given at Chocolaterie Stam from 1-3pm.
Join our friends at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum as they help us kick off Christmas in with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:00pm. Enjoy live Christmas tunes by the Salvation Army Brass Band. The Tom and Becky's will join us as Mark Twain says a few words and helps count down as the tree comes to light.
Afterwards, stop by the Mark Twain Dinette for their first annual Christmas Light Show. Enjoy Christmas Lights synced to your favorite Christmas songs. The first light show will begin on Saturday, November 30th from 6-9pm. The show will continue every night through New Year’s Eve. The show is free to the public, but donations will be accepted for the Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots.
Annual Jaycees Christmas Parade- December 7th
Friday, December 6th
All Day: Festival of Lights Window Display Competition
7pm: Live Music at Main Street Wine Stoppe
6-9pm: Christmas Light Show at Mark Twain Dinette
Saturday, December 7th - Christmas Parade
All Day: Festival of Lights Window Display Competition
Times Vary: Horse Drawn Carriage
10am-5pm: Candy Cane Hunt
10am: First Session Holly Jolly Workshop at Hannibal Arts Council
11am: Edible Garnishes Free Holiday Demonstration at Mississippi Marketplace
12-3pm: Elementary Carolers
1pm: Second Session Holly Jolly Workshop at Hannibal Arts Council
11am-4pm: Free Pictures at Santa Claus House
6pm: Jaycees Christmas Parade
6-9pm: Christmas Light Show at Mark Twain Dinette
9pm-12am: The American Standard Live at Mark Twain Brewing Company
The Hannibal Elementary School Carolers are coming back to historic downtown Hannibal for their fourth year caroling on December 7th. Join us in downtown as they fill the streets and shops with sounds of the season. This years schedule is as follows:
12:00 - Oakwood Elementary
1:00 - Stowell Elementary
2:00 - Eugene Field Elementary
3:00 - Veterans Elementary
Head to Mississippi Marketing for a free holiday demonstration on how to make a edible garnishes. This workshop will show you how to create beautiful garnishes to make your holiday meal look amazing with a little bit of time.
Children ages 5 to 12 will have the opportunity to holiday projects at the Hannibal Arts Council’s popular annual Holly Jolly Holiday Workshop to be held on Dec. 7. Participants may choose to attend either a two-hour workshop beginning at 10:00 a.m. or beginning at 1:00 p.m. The workshop will be held at the Hannibal Arts Council, 105 S Main St. Projects to be created will include a variety of Holiday-theme projects, ornaments, cards, snacks and gifts for others. The Holly Jolly Holiday Workshop is the perfect opportunity for children to have fun, create memories and make some cool projects! Due to popularity and limited space, pre-registration and pre-payment (unless requesting scholarship) is required. Tickets are $10 per person.
Get in the holiday spirit with the Jaycees Annual Christmas Parade through the beautifully decorated streets of Downtown Hannibal. Parade will start at 6pm from the Save-a-Lot parking lot on Broadway and turn left down North Main Street. Come dressed in your favorite holiday sweater, themed costume, and enjoy one of Hannibal cherished, holiday traditions!
The Third Weekend
Friday, December 13th
All Day: Festival of Lights Window Display Competition
7pm: Live Music at Main Street Wine Stoppe
6-9pm: Christmas Light Show at Mark Twain Dinette
LIVING Windows - december 14th
Saturday, December 14th - Living Windows
All Day: Festival of Lights Window Display Competition
Times Vary: Horse Drawn Carriage
10am-5pm: Candy Cane Hunt
11am: Spirit of Christmas Mixology Class at Misssissippi Marketplace
11am-4pm: Free Pictures at Santa Claus House
11am-4pm: Lunch with the Elves at Brick Oven
3-5pm: Snowball Toss at Y-Men’s Pavillion
5-6pm: Music, Marshmallows, and Mistletoe at Y-Men’s Pavillion
5-8pm: Living Windows
5-8pm: Free Pictures at Santa Claus House
5-8pm: Second Saturday Gallery Night
5-8pm: Cookies and Candy Canes Open House at YU! Uniform
6-9pm: Christmas Light Show at Mark Twain Dinette
The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear! And joining the elves of downtown Hannibal at Lunch with the Elves at the Brick Oven from 11a-4pm.
Stop at Mississippi Marketing for a free holiday demonstration, the Spirit of Christmas Mixology Class at 11am. Learn how to create festive holiday drinks for your holiday entertaining.
As part of the Victorian Festival of Christmas, the Hannibal Parks & Recreation Department will host two events at the Y’Men’s Pavilion, 105 Hill St., on Saturday, Dec. 14. Snowball Toss will be 3-5 p.m. There will be a big holiday wreath hanging down from the middle of the stage. Participants may toss Styrofoam “snowballs” into the wreath and win a prize. Music, Marshmallows and Mistletoe will be 5 to 6 p.m. The Pirate Pride Singers, a group of fifth and sixth-graders from Eugene Field School, will sing holiday music. There will be a bonfire for warmth and some marshmallows for roasting. Hot chocolate will also be available.
Watch the downtown windows come alive with Christmas and other great characters at the Annual Living Windows from 5-8pm. Stroll downtown and interact with the live Christmas scenes that make historic downtwon Hannibal the place to be for the holiday season! Every year each scene is a surprise revealed on living windows night displaying the individuality and creativity of each business.
The Fourth Week: 12/20-12/21
Friday, December 20th - Holiday Homes Tour
Window display at alliance art gallery
All Day: Festival of Lights Window Display Competition
7pm: Live Music at Main Street Wine Stoppe
6-8pm: Deck the Halls Homes Tour
6-9pm: Christmas Light Show at Mark Twain Dinette
Saturday, December 21st
All Day: Festival of Lights Window Display Competition
9am-5pm: Cocoa and Candy Canes at Mark Twain Museum Gift Shop
10am-5pm: Candy Cane Hunt
11am: Gingerbread Decorating Workshop at Mississippi Marketplace
12:30pm: Gingerbread Decorating Workshop at Mississippi Marketplace
11am-4pm: Free Pictures at Santa Claus House
2-5pm: Pat Jones @ Cave Hollow Winery
2pm: Clemens Family Christmas
6-9pm: Christmas Light Show at Mark Twain Dinette
The Deck the Halls Home Tour invites visitors into the first floors of festively decorated and lit historic homes on Friday, December 20th from 6-8pm in historic downtown Hannibal. Tour passes cost $10 and proceeds benefit the Historic Hannibal Marketing Council. Homes on tour include: The Gilded Age B&B, The Belvedere Inn, the Laura Hawkins House, and more.
Decorate a Gingerbread House as part of Mississippi Marketplace’s free holiday demonstrations. This is a 1 hour class that will be held at 11:00 am and again at 12:30 As space is limited you will need to register for this workshop. All supplies are provided..
Have you ever wondered what Christmas was like for the Clemens family? Join museum Executive Director Henry Sweets for A Clemens Family Christmas as he shares stories of Christmas in Hannibal and Hartford. Mr. Sweets will give insight to what Christmas was like in the Clemens’ house and will read a letter written by Mark Twain, as Santa Claus, to his daughter Susie. Saturday, December 21st at 2:00 pm in the Museum Gallery Auditorium. This is a free event.
The Mark Twain Museum Gallery Gift Shop invites you to enjoy Cocoa and Candy Canes as you browse our wonderful selection of gifts on Saturday, December 21st. Select from our wide array of Mark Twain books and books written by local artists for the avid reader on your list. The Museum Gift Shops also carries a large selection of items from our talented local artists. From old-fashioned toys, stocking stuffers, jewelry, apparel and a complete line of Huckleberry flavored items, you’re sure to find everything on your Christmas list at the Gallery Gift Shop.
The Full Schedule
Saturday, November 30th - Small Business Saturday & Christmas Extravaganza
All Day: Small Business Saturday
10am-5pm: Candy Cane Hunt
10am-4pm: Christmas Extravaganza Headquarters
10am-8pm: Ornament Painting Party at Open Door Studio
11am-2pm: Pianist, Ned Behrensmeyer at Java Jive
11am-4pm: Free Pictures at Santa Claus House
1-3pm: Free Wine Tasting at Chocolaterie Stam
1-3pm: Mark Twain Birthday Celebration
5:00pm: Tree Lighting Ceremony
6:00-9:00pm: Christmas Light Show at Mark Twain Dinette
Friday, December 5th
6:30-8:30pm: Share the Joy Fundraiser at Hannibal Arts Council
Friday, December 6th
All Day: Festival of Lights Window Display Competition
7pm: Live Music at Main Street Wine Stoppe
6-9pm: Christmas Light Show at Mark Twain Dinette
Saturday, December 7th - Jaycees Christmas Parade
All Day: Festival of Lights Window Display Competition
Times Vary: Horse Drawn Carriage
10am-5pm: Candy Cane Hunt
10am: First Session Holly Jolly Workshop at Hannibal Arts Council
11am: Edible Garnishes Free Holiday Demonstration at Mississippi Marketplace
12-3pm: Elementary Carolers
1pm: Second Session Holly Jolly Workshop at Hannibal Arts Council
11am-4pm: Free Pictures at Santa Claus House
6pm: Jaycees Christmas Parade
6-9pm: Christmas Light Show at Mark Twain Dinette
9pm-12am: The American Standard Live at Mark Twain Brewing Company
Friday, December 13th
All Day: Festival of Lights Window Display Competition
7pm: Live Music at Main Street Wine Stoppe
6-9pm: Christmas Light Show at Mark Twain DinetteSaturday, December 14th
Saturday, December 14th - Living Windows
All Day: Festival of Lights Window Display Competition
Times Vary: Horse Drawn Carriage
10am-5pm: Candy Cane Hunt
11am: Spirit of Christmas Mixology Class at Misssissippi Marketplace
11am-4pm & 5-8pm: Free Pictures at Santa Claus House
11am-4pm: Lunch with the Elves at Brick Oven
3-5pm: Snowball Toss at Y-Men’s Pavillion
5-6pm: Music, Marshmallows, and Mistletoe at Y-Men’s Pavillion
5-8pm: Living Windows
5-8pm: Second Saturday Gallery Night
5-8pm: Cookies and Candy Canes Open House at YU! Uniform
Monday, December 16th
5-8pm: Dinner with Santa at Mark Twain Dinette
Friday, December 20th - Holiday Homes Tour
All Day: Festival of Lights Window Display Competition
7pm: Live Music at Main Street Wine Stoppe
6-8pm: Deck the Halls Homes Tour
6-9pm: Christmas Light Show at Mark Twain Dinette
Saturday, December 21st
All Day: Festival of Lights Window Display Competition
9am-5pm: Cocoa and Candy Canes at Mark Twain Museum Gift Shop
10am-5pm: Candy Cane Hunt
11am: Gingerbread Decorating Workshop at Mississippi Marketplace
12:30pm: Gingerbread Decorating Workshop at Mississippi Marketplace
11am-4pm: Free Pictures at Santa Claus House
2-5pm: Pat Jones @ Cave Hollow Winery
2pm: Clemens Family Christmas
6-9pm: Christmas Light Show at Mark Twain Dinette
Monday, December 23rd
5-8pm: Dinner with Santa at Mark Twain Dinette
