Skip to main content

The Inaugural Mark Twain Days Festival

Join us April 21-23, 2023 to celebrate one of Nevada’s most prolific, witty, wise (and wise-cracking) writers, Mark Twain. Learn more about his work and how he helped to define Carson City.

Bringing history to life

Come Celebrate a Local Legend

Visit Carson City presents Mark Twain Days! Mark Twain’s time in Nevada was fast, furious, and left a lasting impact. The region and Twain were changed forever and the dust he kicked up has never quite settled. To carry on with what Mark Twain loved most about Nevada—the characters, the excitement, and the spirit of the west—we invite you to the Mark Twain Days Festival in Downtown Carson City. Discover yourself like Samuel Clemens did when he left Missouri to find his true identity in Nevada with art, music, treasure hunts, costume contests, the Twain "Cocktail" Train, and so much more.

Click to Download The

'HISTORIC' MUSTACHE PHOTO

Thank you to ALL who participated in the "historic" mustache photo opportunity in McFadden Plaza during the festival! Click below to view the full photo and save it to be able to share away!

Download Now

DOWNLOAD THE MUSTACHE PHOTO

Thank you to ALL who participated in the "historic" mustache photo opportunity in McFadden Plaza during the festival! Click below to view and save the photo and share away!

Download

Purchase Tickets

Most of the festival is free to attend. Individual event tickets are available now and some coming soon! Click to purchase available tickets now.

Buy Now

Download a Digital Event Program

Plenty of programs will be handed out before and during the festival. You can download a digital version by clicking below.

View now

Purchase MTD Merchandise Online

You can now purchase Mark Twain Days merchandise online thanks to our local vendor Minuteman Press Carson City! They will also be selling at the vendor faire.

View now
Thank You

Visit Carson City thanks our presenting sponsor Carson Tahoe Health

An additional thanks to our generous anonymous donors, The Hop & Mae Adams Foundation, Fox Brewpub, Cipriani's Barber Shop, Scoups Ice Cream and Soup Bar, the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory, i3 Public Affairs and our local businesses for your support to help celebrate the life and lore of Mark Twain. 

We couldn't do it without you!

April 22

Bowtie Ball

"I talked in a snow-white fulldress, swallow-tail and all, and dined in the same. It's a delightful impudence. I think I will call it my dontcareadam suit." 

Join us for the Bowtie Ball, an event through the ages at the Governor's Mansion! Come in costume from the 1860's era is highly encouraged, but not required, to honor the time in which Mark Twain lived in Carson City. Cocktails and a wonderful spread of food included in your ticket will keep you going into the evening as you dance the night away. Music styles will progress through the centuries from Mark Twain era to current hits. 

Learn More

WEEKEND EVENT SCHEDULE

Mark Twain Days - Festival Schedule (as of April 11)

CLICK HERE to download a printable copy of the schedule and map
CLICK HERE to download the festival map only

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

11:00 - 3:00 - Coin Press No. 1 Demonstrations | Nevada State Museum

3:00 – 8:00 pm “Twain Train” - SOLD OUT! - VIP Cocktail Rail Excursion - Specialty Sips and Twain Tales from costumed performers on the historic Railway from Carson City to Virginia City

6:30 – 7:30 pm “Yours Dreamily, Mark Twain” - Readings of prize-winning short stories – McFadden Plaza

7:00 – 10:00 pm  FREE Classic Cinema Club Mark Twain Film Screening, Brewery Arts Center

7:00 pm – Paint and Sip creating paintings with one of Mark Twain’s famous sayings - Brewery Arts Center

Other Activities:

  • Nevada State Museum special minting and tours
  • Costumed Ambassadors – around town and McFadden Plaza
  • Twain-era street musicians - at selected downtown location(s) around the downtown
  • Downtown restaurants, merchants featuring Twain items and menus
  • Brewery Arts Center – Artisan Gallery Exhibit of Mark Twain paraphernalia and Poster Exhibit

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

10:00 – 4:00 pm Vendor Faire  – Arlington Square - Corner of Carson St. & Robinson St. across from the Nugget Casino

10:00 - 3:00 pm - The Celebrated Jumping Frog of the Carson City Children's Museum | Activities throughout the day

10:00 – 11:30 am Literary Workshop – Community Center

10:00 – 4:00   Downtown Business Association's: Downtown Treasure Hunt

10:30 – 12:00p “Walk in Sam’s Shoes” - Twain Path Interactive Walking Tour with Mary Bennett’s Costumed Performers including Clemens home, church and his other favorite downtown area hang-outs - McFadden Plaza Start

11:00 – 2:00   Downtown Passport Adventure  - Passports can be picked up at Carson Jewelry & Loan or Purple Avocado day of. 

11:00 - 3:00 - Coin Press No. 1 Demonstrations | Nevada State Museum

12:00 – 2:00 pm "Living History" Chautauqua Performances –Headliner: McAvoy Layne as Mark Twain with Kim Harris and DebiLynn Smith - Nashville Social Club

2:20 - "Historic" Mustache Photo Op join us right before the runway contest in Mcfadden Plaza to grab your free Mark Twain mustache. Participate in an epic group photo op, we hope to go viral, used for next year's festival. Photo can be downloaded post festival. 

2:30 - 3:00 pm “Cast of Characters” Costumed Runway Show / Mark Twain & Olivia Look-alikes – McFadden Plaza

3:00 - 4:30 pm Literary Workshop – Community Center

3:00 - 8:00 pm Steampunk & Steam Trains: Underground Ball Event - Nevada State Railroad Museum

5:30-8:00 pm Bowtie Ball - A period costume Ball at the Governor’s Mansion

7:00 – 10:00 pm FREE Classic Cinema Club screening of Bonanza episodes starring Mark Twainwith period banjo music and beverages, Brewery Arts Center

7:00 pm – Paint and Sip creating paintings with one of Mark Twain’s famous sayings - Brewery Arts Center

Activities taking place throughout the day:

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

10:00 – 4:00 pm Vendor Faire – Arlington Square - Corner of Carson St. & Robinson St. across from the Nugget Casino

10:30 – 12:00p  “Walk in Sam’s Shoes” - Twain Path Interactive Walking Tour with Mary Bennett’s Costumed Performers including Clemens (Twain) home, church and his other favorite downtown area hang-outs - Mcfadden Plaza Start

11:00 - 3:00 - Coin Press No. 1 Demonstrations | Nevada State Museum

12:30 – 3:00 pm “A Tisket a Tasket “  - Picnic and gift basket auction – State Legislature Grounds and “Games on the Green”  Children’s/family outdoor games for the Twain era (Game of Graces, board games, fence painting, sack races, croquet, hoop and stick, cup and ball, era-based games) – State Legislature Grounds

4:00 pm - “Becoming Mark Twain: Sam Clemens in Nevada" - A Carson City Symphony performance featuring McAvoy Layne and Violinist Andrew Sords, Carson City Community Center

Activities taking place throughout the day:

  • Downtown restaurants, merchants featuring Twain items and menus
  • Costumed Ambassadors – around town
  • Twain-era vendors and music – Arlington Square (corner of N Carson St and Robinson St)
  • Nevada State Museum / Historic Mint Tour featuring Twain Medallion
  • Music and performances – McFadden Plaza
  • Brewery Arts Center – Artisan Gallery Exhibit of Mark Twain paraphernalia and Poster Exhibit
  • Tom and Becky from Hannibal, Missouri perform the Engagement Scene – various locations
Featured Events

Mark Twain Days

Download the Festival Map

Yours Dreamily, Mark Twain

Readings of prize-winning short stories from 6:30-7:30 at McFadden Plaza

Enjoy Live Music All Weekend
Live Music During MTD

Historic Photo Op

Join Saturday in McFadden Plaza at 2:20p right before the Runway Competition to grab a free Mark Twain mustache and pose for an epic photo we hope will go viral. Photo available for download post festival. Grab as many people you can find!

Download Festival Map

Meet us in Carson City

Click play and enjoy all the reasons why you should be in Carson City for the Mark Twain Days Festival, April 21-23! Video by Kairo Media.

Book Your Hotel

VENDOR INQUIRY

If interested in becoming a vendor for Mark Twain Days please fill out the form by clicking below.

Become a Vendor

Volunteers

As we continue planning the festival's events, we are actively searching for costumed ambassadors and event volunteers.

Become a Volunteer