There’s never a shortage of things to do in the Mark Twain Lake area, thanks to a wide variety of special events and celebrations in the nearby rural communities. From the highly successful Mark Twain Lake Rodeo (voted Missouri’s best rodeo a number of times) to the nationally known Tom Sawyer Days in Hannibal, area celebrations have a little something for everyone. For specific information on an event, contact the chamber of commerce in that community. Here’s a month-by-month listing of scheduled events in the Mark Twain Lake area.

March 27 – Antique Show at Paris High School featuring more than 60 booths of antique dealers.
March 27-28 – 50 Miles of Art Studio Tour. Drive along the mighty Mississippi on scenic Route 79 from Hannibal to Clarksville and visit the studios of some of Missouri’s best-known artisans. Provides a unique, behind-the-scenes view into how their work is created.
April-September – Stock car racing every Saturday night at 24 Raceway in Moberly.
April (TBA) – Miss Paris contest.
April 3 – Easter Egg Hunt at Perry City Park
April 9-11 – 7th annual Midwest Open Geocaching Adventure at Indian Creek Campground.
April 23-25 – Eighth annual Just Girls Getaway Weekend. Shops, restaurants, and attractions all focus on women’s interests.
April 24 – Earth Day at Frank Russell pond at Mark Twain Lake.
April 30/May 1 – Paris Area All-Town Garage Sale.
May (TBA) – Citywide garage sale in Monroe City; Chamber Business Expo in Monroe City.
May - October – Down By The River. Fun, food, music and drink at the foot of Hill Street at  the Y-Men’s Pavilion in the heart of historic Hannibal.
May 8 – 15th annual Loafers Club Car Show, featuring street rods, stockers, pickups and antiques in the Hannibal Historic district; Paris Bull Ride.
May 14-16 – Salt River Expo and Armed Forces Day celebration at Warren G. See South Spillway area below Cannon Dam. Military displays, re-enactment groups, displays, entertainment, artisans, food and much more.
May 15 – Concert at Clemens Field, other concerts to be added.
May 22 – Florida Folklife Festival-Founders Day in Florida, Mo., 10a.m.-5 p.m., See historic Florida, the town where Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) was born, come alive, with old time jam session. Bring your instrument and chairs and join in.  There will be singing, storytelling, old time crafts and modern flea market. Food and drinks available, vendors welcome.  Sponsored by Friends of Florida.
May 29-30 – Mississippi River Life Festival in Hannibal’s Historic District. A celebration of life on the Mississippi and the summer season. Crafts, antiques, food, wine and Blues.
June - August – Hannibal Cavemen baseball team’s  schedule, including games at Clemen’s Field.
June (TBA) – New London Park Days on the courthouse square in New London. Features activities, pageants, entertainment and food booths.
June 2 – All-Town Garage Sale in Perry.
June 5-6 – Veterans Tribute helps commemorate the guardians of America on the anniversary weekend of D-Day. Events at the Hannibal Regional Airport include military artifacts, an air show and more. Proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and VFW Post 2446.
June 6 – Farmers’ Market opens in Paris; Kids Fishing Day at Mark Twain Lake. Children ages 5-12 will get the opportunity to test their fishing skills and learn fishing techniques at the Frank Russell Recreation Area. Participation is limited and advance signup is required; Cast for Kids at Mark Twain Lake. Preregistration required.
June 9-10 – Celebration Belle Cruisin’ the Mississippi with trips from Keokuk to Hannibal and Hannibal to Hamburg, Ill.
June 12-13 – Juneteenth Celebration features a basketball tournament, singing, music, performers, food and more.
June 14-18 – Youth Fiddle Camp in Bethel German Colony; Fiddle Festival in Bethel German Colony.
June 19-20 – Fiddle Festival in Bethel.
June  26-27– Relay For Life - Paris Courthouse.
July 2-4 – Mark Twain Lake Rodeo at Warren G. See South Spillway Recreation Area. Bulls, bucking broncos, clowns, food and fireworks are part of this popular event.
July 1-4 – National Tom Sawyer Days in Downtown Hannibal. This famous family-oriented festival offers activities such as National Fence Painting, frog jumping contest, Tomboy Sawyer competition, craft show, mud volleyball, bingo, live entertainment, fireworks display and numerous others.
July 3 – Hannibal Cannibal 10K Run & 5K Walk. Held during National Tom Sawyer Days, the 14th annual Hannibal Cannibal begins at 7 a.m. in front of the Tom & Huck Statue. Sponsored by Hannibal Regional Hospital.
July 4 – Parade in Monroe City.
July 9-11 – Mark Twain Old Threshers Show in Paris, featuring steam engines and antique machinery.
July 18 – Swinkey Picnic at Indian Creek.
Aug. 7 – Wild and Wacky Art Adventure. Art festival featuring activities for children 3-12.
Aug. 14 – 3rd annual Burger Bash.
Aug. 28 – Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Mosswood Meadows in Monroe City.
Labor Day weekend – Heritage Fall Festival in Bethel German Colony. Folk art demonstrations, activities, crafts, German food, entertainment and more.
Sept. 10-11 – Paris Area All-Town garage sales.
Sept. 24-25 – Hometown Stitches at The Hickory Stick. Second annual event brings quilters to Hannibal for lectures and workshops.
Sept. 25 – Fall-In-To-Paris celebration; National Public Lands Day at Frank Russell pond at Mark Twain Lake.
Oct. (TBA) – Citywide garage sale in Monroe City; Arts in the Park in Monroe City.
October 2 – Florida History Festival-Cemetery Walk (pioneer re-enactment), in Florida, Mo. 10a.m.-4p.m.  See historic Florida the town where Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) was born, come alive.  There will be food and drinks available. Sponsored by Friends of Florida; Perry All Town Garage Sale.
Oct. 15-16 – Halloween Campground at Mark Twain Lake.
October 16-17 – Autumn Historic Folklife Festival. Artisans in period dress demonstrate lifestyles and crafts of the mid-1800s in Hannibal’s Historic District.
November 6-7 – 50 Miles of Art Studio Tour. Drive along the mighty Mississippi on scenic Route 79 from Hannibal to Clarksville and visit the studios of some of Missouri’s best-known artisans. Provides a unique, behind-the-scenes view into how their work is created.
Nov. 27 – Craft Show at Paris High School.
Dec. 4 – Christmas in Perry.
Dec. 5 – Christmas in Bethel, a toast to German Christmas traditions.
Dec. 18 – Live Nativity scene in Monroe City
December (TBA) – Christmas parade in Monroe City; Hannibal Historic District comes alive with the sights and sounds of Christmas. Among other events, includes Annual Living Window and Trail of Lights; Paris Area Chamber Christmas Is Caring Promotion and merchants’ promotions.
Dates to be announced for events in Perry – Tractor Pull, Cruise Night.