Hannibal Gets Its Christmas Sparkle On Starting Friday
America's Hometown has become famous for its festivals - from the Chocolate Extravaganza and the Great Girlfriend Getaway in the spring, to Twain on Main, National Tom Sawyer Days and the Big River Steampunk Festival in the summer to the Folk Life Festival in the fall.
But, with all due respect, all of these festivals only cover a weekend.
There's one more festival in Hannibal in 2021, and it's so special that it's a full month long.
The Victorian Festival of Christmas covers five weekends, beginning November 19.
That's the beginning of the Fall into Holiday Shop Small weekend, with a Pink Friday Sip and Shop Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a weekend of activities spearheaded by the boutiques in the Downtown Historic District.
November 27 is Small Business Saturday, an excellent day to put a big dent in your holiday shopping list. It's also the annual Mark Twain Birthday Bash, with Twain's Birthday Party for kids at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the virtual beard and mustache competition at 3, the tree lighting at the Boyhood Home and the Salvation Army Brass Band at 5. Entries will also be accepted for the Gingerbread House Contest.
December 2 through 5 is the Scottish Rite Festival of Trees at the Depot. That's also the weekend for the Jaycees Christmas Parade, stepping off at 6 p.m. Saturday.
December 11 is the Babes in Toyland Parade at 4 p.m., with the always anticipated Downtown Living Windows from 5 to 8 p.m.
The festival wraps up with Holiday Home and Life Tours December 17 and 18 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Also, from November 27 through December 18, there will be evening tours of the Boyhood Home Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m., and Santa will be in his house downtown Fridays, December 3 and 10 and Saturdays November 27, December 11 and 18.
For more information on Hannibal's 2021 Victorian Festival of Christmas, click here.