TYLER, Texas (EAST TEXAS WEEKEND) - If you’re looking for fun things to do in East Texas this weekend, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s our rundown of some fun things happening around the area this weekend!

Thursday, 12/16

Christmas in Lindale

When: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Pickers Pavilion, Lindale
Cost: Free

Experience the ambiance and charm of Picker’s Pavilion at Christmas! Every year this historic Lindale landmark transforms into The Most Wonderful PHOTO-OP of the Year! Bring the whole family and capture those beautiful, Instagrammable pics you just can’t get enough of, then meander through the displays as holiday music fills the air. The Pavilion is open daily through January 1st from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm and admission is free. Whether visiting from near or far, we guarantee you’ll leave with more than just photos.

Trivia at Dog Tags Restaurant & Taproom

When: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Dog Tags Restaurant & Taproom, Tyler
Cost: Free

Test your knowledge and feed your faces with Family Friendly trivia every Thursday Night at Dog Tags Restaurant & Taproom. The fun kicks off at 7 PM, is free to play and the top 3 teams go home with a prize.

Lights of Kiepersol - Viewed from the Tasting Room

When: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Where: The Grand Room at Kiepersol, Tyler

It’s that joyful time of year once again! We light the vineyard each evening around dusk to celebrate the advent of Christ Jesus! We invite you to join us and celebrate this holiday season with us. The Lights at Kiepersol will be on every evening that we are open for business. Tuesday- Saturday. Business hours are 11 am - 7 pm We have outdoor and patio seating. Be sure to bundle up and come enjoy the beautiful view with wine, cocktails, and food from the bistro in the Grand Room at Kiepersol.

Holiday Lights in the Garden

When: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: Tyler Rose Garden, Tyler
Cost: Free

Since 2016, the Tyler Rose Garden has transformed for the holidays into a Christmas experience. “Each year we add more lights and features as funding becomes available,” Leanne Robinette, Director of Parks and Recreation said. “We are hopeful in the next couple of years, every inch of the garden will be lit up with holiday lights for everyone to enjoy. We would like for the Rose Garden to be a special place people want to visit all year long.” Special evening times have been scheduled for visitors to see the garden from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. through the month of December. They are as follows: • Dec. 6-22, • Dec. 26-30 Due to ongoing construction nearby, the Tyler Rose Garden’s gate entrance will be locked. Guests can enter through the front entrance of the Rose Garden Center on Rose Park Dr. For more information or updates on scheduling, visit TylerParksandRec.com, follow the Tyler Parks and Rec Facebook page or call (903) 531-1212.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

When: 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Bergfeld Park, Tyler
Cost: $5-$15

Horse-drawn carriages from Hot Springs Carriage Company are back in Tyler, Texas located behind Bergfeld Park! Evenings from 5:30 - 9:00 PM, excluding Wednesdays and Sundays. There will be rides available for $5, $10, or $15 per person depending on the route chosen. For more information, call 903-246-1460.

The Polar Express

When: 6 p.m.
Where: Texas State Railroad, Palestine
Cost: Cost varies depending on seats. Click here for tickets.

The captivating story comes to life the minute the train departs the Palestine Depot for the journey to the North Pole. (The adventure is even more fun when families and friends show up in their pajamas!) Enveloped by the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the tale as they are whisked away on Texas’ authentic POLAR EXPRESS™. Click here for tickets.

Holiday Block Party | Off Square Downtown

When: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Off Square Downtown Tyler
Cost: Free

Join us this holiday season for an evening of shopping, live music, drinks, and much more! Performances by the UT Tyler Swoop Jazz Band and the Caldwell Band!

It’s a Wonderful Life

When: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Liberty Hall, Tyler
Cost: $15 (Get tickets here)

Come on over for a Christmas classic! An angel is sent from heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had ever existed. George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. Get tickets here.

Elf The Musical

When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Tyler Civic Theatre, Tyler
Cost: $25 (Get tickets here)

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. Get tickets here.

Friday, 12/17

Christmas in Lindale

When: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Pickers Pavilion, Lindale
Cost: Free

The Polar Express

When: 3:30 p.m.
Where: Texas State Railroad, Palestine
Cost: Cost varies depending on seats. Click here for tickets.

80 Acre Market Event

When: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: 80 Acre Market, Gilmer

Come join us for shopping, live music, family activities, food truck dining, lounging, and so much more!

Holiday Lights in the Garden

When: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: Tyler Rose Garden, Tyler
Cost: Free

Movie Night at True Vine: Home Alone/The Grinch

When: 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: True Vine Brewing Co., Tyler
Cost: Free

Enjoy back to back holiday movies at True Vine on Friday and Saturday. Friday’s showings are Home Alone and The Grinch. Saturday’s showings are Elf and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. The first showing starts at 5:30 p.m. each night.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

When: 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Bergfeld Park, Tyler
Cost: $5-$15

Roselake Winter Wonderland

When: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Roselake Ranch, Garrison
Cost: $10

Roselake Winter Wonderland is a place for the whole family to have fun! A walk through lighted park and play area, activities, petting zoo, pony rides, Rockwall and more! Event dates are December 10, 11, 17, and 18, 2021 from 6-9 pm each night. Roselake Ranch is located at 3236 CR 271, Garrison, Texas. Tickets are $10 and available at the gate or online on Facebook at Roselake Winter Wonderland. Call 936-559-8222 for more information.

Holiday Movie in the Garden

When: 6 p.m.
Where: Tyler Rose Garden, Tyler
Cost: Free

EVENT UPDATE: The movie will be hosted on Friday rain or shine. We will move inside if the weather is not agreeable. Join us for the holiday edition of Movies in the Park at the Rose Garden. Admission is free and food trucks will be available for concessions at a cost. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) will be the feature film set to begin at approximately 6 p.m. Come dressed in your Cindy-Lou Who best or your Grinchiest greens.

Elf The Musical

When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Tyler Civic Theatre, Tyler
Cost: $25 (Get tickets here)

Saturday, 12/18

Breakfast with Santa

When: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: The Lake Tyler Marina Resort, Tyler
Cost: Free

Come have breakfast with Santa and enjoy a Boat Parade After.

Christmas in Lindale

When: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Pickers Pavilion, Lindale
Cost: Free

The Polar Express: A Grand Slam Special

When: 10 a.m.
Where: Times Square Cinema, Tyler
Cost: $3 (Get tickets here)

“It’s so much fun when Christmas comes to town” Join us at Times Square Grand Slam for special showings of The Polar Express. Tickets: $3 Activity Bags: $4.25 Hot Chocolate will be available for purchase at the Concessions Stand. So grab your favorite blanket, come in your coziest pajamas and enjoy the show! Get tickets here.

80 Acre Market Event

When: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: 80 Acre Market, Gilmer

Come join us for shopping, live music, family activities, food truck dining, lounging, and so much more!

Mike Kellogg - Christmas Music

When: 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: The Grand Room at Kiepersol, Tyler

Mike Kellogg will be playing his saxophone to Christmas Music in the Grand Room at Kiepersol while we enjoy wine, cocktails, bistro food, and retail shopping!

Holiday Lights in the Garden

When: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: Tyler Rose Garden, Tyler
Cost: Free

Movie Night at True Vine: Home Alone/The Grinch

When: 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: True Vine Brewing Co., Tyler
Cost: Free

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

When: 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Bergfeld Park, Tyler
Cost: $5-$15

Christmas Under The Bridge 2021

When: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: 300 E. Valentine St., Tyler
Cost: Free

A celebration of our Savior’s birth with live music, living nativity, refreshments, fun and games tables and booths, and Santa’s Toy Tent for the little ones! No sit down dinner this year but lots to do! Blessed to bless our friends experiencing homelessness and the under resourced of our town!

Roselake Winter Wonderland

When: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Roselake Ranch, Garrison
Cost: $10

The Polar Express

When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Texas State Railroad, Palestine
Cost: Cost varies depending on seats. Click here for tickets.

Johnny Magic

When: 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Liberty Hall, Tyler
Cost: $18.75 (Get tickets here)

Magician and illusionist, Johnny Magic, has more than 20 years of experience and has performed over 5,000+ shows and entertained more than 600,000+ spectators all across America! His illusions are cutting edge that rival a Las Vegas show. He does never before seen effects and all magic’s classics. Family-friendly humor for all ages. Get tickets here.

5th Annual ETX Ugly Sweater Contest & Christmas Party

When: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Where: ETX Brewing Co., Tyler
Cost: Free

5th Annual ETX Brewing Co. Ugly Sweater Contest & Christmas Party – Saturday, December 18th 7:00 pm -11:00 pm. Fun and Prizes!! Contest Judging will begin at 9:00 pm. No entry fee! Live music featuring Kim Donnette Band! No cover! Good times will be had!!

Elf The Musical

When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Tyler Civic Theatre, Tyler
Cost: $25 (Get tickets here)

Sunday, 12/19

Christmas in Lindale

When: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Pickers Pavilion, Lindale
Cost: Free

The Polar Express: A Grand Slam Special

When: 10 a.m.
Where: Times Square Cinema, Tyler
Cost: $3 (Get tickets here)

80 Acre Market Event

When: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: 80 Acre Market, Gilmer

Come join us for shopping, live music, family activities, food truck dining, lounging, and so much more!

Elf The Musical

When: 2:30 p.m.
Where: Tyler Civic Theatre, Tyler
Cost: $25 (Get tickets here)

Johnny Magic

When: 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Where: Liberty Hall, Tyler
Cost: $18.75 (Get tickets here)

Christmas Carols for the Classical Guitar & Organ

When: 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Palestine
Cost: Free

An instrumental program of traditional and new Christmas carols, provided with free admission made possible by St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. Performed by Dr. Rafael Scarfullery, a composer, classical guitarist, orchestral/choral conductor, organist and therapeutic musician. Rafael has a BM, MM and DMA in guitar performance, a MM in orchestral conducting, and four professional certifications from the American Guild of Organists. He’s the choir master and organist at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Palestine, TX.

Holiday Lights in the Garden

When: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where: Tyler Rose Garden, Tyler
Cost: Free

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

When: 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Bergfeld Park, Tyler
Cost: $5-$15

The Polar Express

When: 8 p.m.
Where: Texas State Railroad, Palestine
Cost: Cost varies depending on seats. Click here for tickets.

*All dates and information are subject to change. Contact us if there are changes to the schedule or if we left anything out