THE MARK TWAIN HOUSE & MUSEUM ANNOUNCES FULL SLATE OF HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING FOR DECEMBER
Hartford, CT — December 2025 — The Mark Twain House & Museum is celebrating the holiday season with a vibrant lineup of December events, including candlelit tours, creative workshops, and festive author talks that invite visitors to experience the historic home in new and imaginative ways.
This year’s programming offers something for every interest — from ghostly Victorian lore to hands-on ornament making and food history from the Gilded Age.
Holiday Spirits Tours
December 12, 13, 19, and 20
Back by popular demand, Holiday Spirits is a candlelit tour exploring the spectral side of a Victorian Christmas. Guests encounter one of the museum’s “ghosts of Christmas past” and hear stories of recent supernatural experiences inside the house, as well as the Clemens family’s fascination with spiritualism and the unexplained.
Holiday Ornament Workshop — December 13
This family-friendly workshop invites participants to create two handcrafted holiday ornaments decorated with real pressed flowers. The project blends natural elements with a festive aesthetic, offering a warm and creative seasonal experience.
Christmas Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop — December 14
Led by poet and master teaching artist Victoria Nordlund, this generative session takes place inside the Mark Twain House library. Participants respond to the space, its holiday décor, and Twain’s legacy through original poetry.
December Author Events
The Ghosts of Mark Twain — December 4
Twain scholars Ann M. Ryan and Kerry Driscoll discuss their new work, The Ghosts of Mark Twain, examining themes of memory, race, gender, and imagination in Twain’s life and writing.
The Six Loves of James I — December 9 (Virtual)
Historian Gareth Russell shares insights from his latest book, which reexamines the private relationships and passions that influenced King James I and the politics of his era.
The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook — December 11
Author Becky Libourel Diamond explores the food traditions, recipes, and cultural history behind her new cookbook, illuminating what holiday dining looked like in the Gilded Age.
All events take place at The Mark Twain House & Museum unless otherwise noted.
Tickets and full details are available at: www.marktwainhouse.org/events
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About The Mark Twain House & Museum
The Mark Twain House & Museum is the restored Hartford, Connecticut home where Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, lived from 1874 to 1891. Twain wrote many of his most iconic works there, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. The museum continues to honor Twain’s literary legacy through tours, educational programs, and cultural events.
For general information about the Mark Twain House, please visit:
Media Contact:
Albinko Hasic
albinko.hasic@marktwainhouse.org
(860) 280-3152