If you’re looking for fun things to do in East Texas this Spring Break, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s our rundown of some fun things happening around the area during the week!

THURSDAY, 3/31

Azalea & Spring Flower Trail

When: 9 AM – 9 PM
Where: Historic Azalea District, Tyler
Cost: Free

The 2022 Azalea & Spring Flower Trail will be March 25 - April 10. Visit Tyler this spring and take a driving tour through Tyler’s beautiful historic Azalea District. Enjoy more than ten miles of residential gardens and historic home-sites. To download a map & more info go to: www.TylerAzaleaTrail.com

2nd Annual Antique Quilt Show

When: 10 AM - 4 PM
Where: Goodman-LeGrand House, Tyler
Cost: Free (But $2 donation suggested)

The Goodman Museum will host a special exhibition from March 5 through April 9. Come tour the house and view antique quilts from local collections.

Purses and Pearls

When: 6 PM – 9 PM
Where: 110 North Line Street, Palestine
Cost: $50 (Get tickets here)

Purses and Pearls is an evening with the Palestine ISD Education Foundation. Support innovative education in the Wildcat Nation and have an evening of great fun. Get tickets here.

Library Series: Prepare Your Garden

When: 6:30 PM
Where: Van Zandt County Library, Canton
Cost: Free

FREE to the Public. Preparing Your Garden by John Holmsley of Holmsley Nursery in Forney, TX. Thursday, March 31th at 6:30 pm.

LIVE MUSIC: Jenn Ford, Kirk Harper, Jared Steele

When: 7 PM
Where: The Forge Bar and Grill, Ben Wheeler
Cost: Free

Duo Piano Concert “Postscards from Europe”

When: 7 PM
Where: Van Cliburn Auditorium, Kilgore
Cost: Free

The Kilgore College Music and Dance Department will present “Postcards from Europe” featuring duo piano pieces by composers Camille Saint-Saëns, Moritz Moszkowski, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and more. The centerpiece of the program is “Carnival of the Animals,” narrated by Jeanne Johnson with humorous poetry by Ogden Nash. The concert is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31, in Van Cliburn Auditorium on the Kilgore campus. Admission is free. Performers will include Katherine Bassett, KC student; David Berryhill, worship minister at First Baptist Church of Kilgore; Dr. Mary Heiden, KC associate professor of music and director of choral activities; and Jonathan Kaan, KC associate professor of music.

SFA Opera Theater Production

When: 7:30 PM - 9 PM
Where: Cole Concert Hall, Nacogdoches
Cost: $8-$15 (Get tickets here)

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will present its 2022 Opera Theater production at 7:30 p.m. nightly Thursday through Saturday, March 31 through April 2, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus. One-act operas “Gallantry: A Soap Opera” by Douglas Moore and “Gianni Schicchi” by Giacomo Puccini, along with a chorus scene, “Stomp Your Foot,” from “The Tender Land” by Aaron Copland, are the featured works. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, visit finearts.sfasu.edu or call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407. For more information about the opera, contact the School of Music at (936) 468-4602.

The Music Man

When: 7:30 PM - 10 PM
Where: Pollard Theater Center, Tyler
Cost: $15 (Get tickets here)

Come see The Music Man at Pollard Theater Center in Tyler, TX! This fast-paced classic tells the tale of Harold Hill, a salesman by trade, who comes to River City with his latest and greatest scheme only to find his match in more ways than one! Can he change his ways? The Music Man is a fun, powerful story about transformation that’s jam packed with clever music and lyrics, comedic situations, and a romance that will make your heart flutter. Don’t miss your opportunity to see The Music Man at Pollard! Get tickets here.

2022 Canton Open Rodeo

When: 8 PM - 11:30 PM
Where: Zeke Burns Arena, Canton
Cost: $5

Come on out to the Van Zandt County Fair and Canton Open Rodeo! Come for the fun filled carnival and stay for the live rodeo action starting @ 8:00 PM each night.

FRIDAY, 4/1

Azalea & Spring Flower Trail

When: 9 AM – 9 PM
Where: Historic Azalea District, Tyler
Cost: Free

2nd Annual Antique Quilt Show

When: 10 AM - 4 PM
Where: Goodman-LeGrand House, Tyler
Cost: Free (But $2 donation suggested)

The Goodman Museum will host a special exhibition from March 5 through April 9. Come tour the house and view antique quilts from local collections.

Swingin’ at the Brewery

When: 6 PM - 9 PM
Where: The Fredonia Brewery, Nacogdoches
Cost: Free

The Swingin’ Axes and Swingin’ Aces jazz bands at Stephen F. Austin State University will present their “Swingin’ At The Brewery” fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 1, at Fredonia Brewery in downtown Nacogdoches. Admission to the outdoor concert is free, but donations are encouraged to benefit the SFA School of Music’s jazz program. Among the selections on the program are Radio Head’s “Knives Out,” Count Basie’s “Sweet Georgia Brown” and Dan Gailey’s “Big Al Meets the Barnyard Gals.” The Fredonia Brewery is located at 138 N. Mound St. For additional information, call the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602 or the brewery at (936) 305-5125.

Chuckwagon Experience

When: 6:30 PM
Where: Silver Spur Resort, Canton
Cost: $20 - $29.95 (Reserve your spot here)

You’re invited to a unique dinner experience at Silver Spur Resort! You and your fellow pioneers will enjoy a dinner reminiscent of one served around a campfire over a century ago. Grab a tin plate and head through the chuckwagon line where you’ll be served tender BBQ chicken, baby back ribs, potato salad, cowboy beans, biscuits, and cobbler, cooked fireside in one of our dutch ovens. Purchase tickets here.

Daou Dinner

When: 6:30 PM – 8 PM
Where: High Hill Farm, Arp
Cost: $100 per person

Join us Friday, April 1st for a 5 course dinner featuring delicious Daou Vineyards wines. 6:30 arrival, dinner at 7:00 pm. $100 per person.

Mad Hatter Murder Mystery Dinner

When: 7 PM
Where: Majestic Event Center
Cost: $50 - $250 (Get tickets here)

You have been cordially invited to a grand garden party held by the mad crew of Mary’s Murder Mysteries! We promise an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, mystery, lavish food & drinks, and intrigues that are sure to captivate you. Featuring Professional MC and Vocalist Ben Stuart as the Mad Hatter And the Aerialist Spectacular Regina Money. Don’t be late for this very important date on April 1st, 2022 from 7 to 10 pm for dinner, entertainment, and a delightful murder at 900 W. Bow Street Tyler, Texas 75702. Get tickets here.

LIVE MUSIC: Luke LaPrade Band

When: 7 PM - 10 PM
Where: Doc’s Taco Shop, Kilgore
Cost: Free

LIVE MUSIC: Dylan Wheeler

When: 8 PM
Where: Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler
Cost: $25 at the door ($20 advanced tickets)

Stargazing the Texas Night Sky

When: 8 PM - 9:30 PM
Where: Martin Creek Lake State Park, Tatum
Cost: Regular Park Admission Prices

Observe stars, planets and constellations with our volunteer. Learn about the stars in the sky! Bring a flashlight and a chair to stay a while. The event will be at the auxiliary boat ramp located at the front of the park. There will be signs on the main park road guiding you to the location.

LIVE MUSIC: David Lindley

When: 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Where: ETX Brewing Co., Tyler
Cost: Free

SATURDAY 4/2

11th Annual Tyler Run for Autism

When: 7 AM - 11 AM
Where: Pollard United Methodist Church, Tyler
Cost: $20 - $60 (https://www.active.com/tyler-tx/running/distance-running-races/tyler-run-for-autism-11th-annual-2022#:~:text=TRA%20is%20a%20high%20energy,Center%20for%20Children%20with%20Autism.)

TRA is a high energy, community event for all! We were founded in 2012 in order to help local children with autism afford critical medical treatment. Our event is fully sponsored so that 100% of proceeds can go to children enrolled at the Treatment and Learning Center for Children with Autism. Please note, only paid registrants will receive a swag bag and race day t-shirts, so register today!

Everything Texas Ranch Run

When: 8 AM
Where: Herschel’s Restaurant, Mount Pleasant
Cost: $5-$20 (Register here)

Join us for the 6th Annual Everything Texas Ranch Run at the Priefert Ranch in Mount Pleasant. The 15K, 5K, and 1K runs are setup for the enjoyment of runners of all levels, families and friends. We’ve added a Watermelon Run as well as climbing wall, inflatable obstacle courses and the 1K Mutton Buster for kids ages 5-12. Breakfast will be served, cash prizes and trophies will be awarded, and a good time is had by all! Register today!

Coffee With A Ranger

When: 8 AM - 9 AM
Where: Martin Creek Lake State Park, Tatum
Cost: Regular Park Admission Prices

Come learn about the park while you sip on some coffee. A Ranger will be there to answer your questions and hand out trail maps and other good information. They will be at the amphitheater located next to the Bee Tree Restroom!

Don’t Mess with Texas Trash Off

When: 8 AM - 12 PM
Where: 500 Aaron Street, Athens
Cost: Free

Keep Athens Beautiful is hosting it’s Annual Spring Clean Up and “Don’t Mess With Texas” campaign. KAB will partner with the City of Athens and Republic Services to open the Aaron Street Collection Site for citizens of Athens to clean up their yards and streets and bring it out free of charge. The Republic Recycle truck will be there.

Great Tyler Cleanup 2021

When: 9 AM - 12 PM
Where: Southside Park, Tyler
Cost: Free (Register here)

Keep Tyler Beautiful is looking for volunteers to take part in the annual Great Tyler Cleanup on Saturday, April 2. Participants can select their own areas such as parks, streets or campuses, and conduct a litter pickup by registering online. Registered volunteers will be supplied with trash bags, gloves, event T-shirts and other cleanup supplies. This cleanup is part of the statewide Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off and the nation-wide Great American Cleanup. Register here.

Kilgore’s Farmers Market

When: 9 AM - 1 PM
Where: Commerce Street, Kilgore
Cost: Free

First Saturdays with Art and Music

When: 9 AM - 2 PM
Where: 813 W. Spring Street, Palestine
Cost: Free

Join us for our first First Saturday event of the 2022 season. We are a hosted to artists on the Dogwood Arts Council’s Monthly Art Walk and will have an old fashioned acoustic music jam session led by bluegrass banjo player Billy Schmidt. This is all in addition to our wide selection of farmers, homesteaders and crafters and 2 food trucks!

Fishing Fools Day and Family Fun Run

When: 9 AM – 2 PM
Where: Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, Athens

Celebrate all things fishing with us at Fishing Fools Day! Whether its your first time and you want to learn the basics, you’re a long time fisherman but want to try something new like fly fishing or bowfishing, or maybe you’d like to practice/show off your skills in the casting obstacle course. Learn more about some of Inland Fisheries techniques such as electrofishing and the fish we’re hoping to catch. Kick off the event with our family fun run on a special route up the hatchery ponds and down our wetland land trail!

Azalea & Spring Flower Trail

When: 9 AM – 9 PM
Where: Historic Azalea District, Tyler
Cost: Free

UT Tyler Construction Seminar: Emerging Stronger in a Pandemic

When: 9:30 AM - 3 PM
Where: UT Tyler University Center Ballroom, Tyler
Cost: $20

Speakers will talk about the state of the residential, commercial and heavy/civil industry. Provide insight on ways their company have faced the challenge of the pandemic in a positive manner and created solutions that have changed their work environment for the better. Tickets are $20 and that includes lunch.

Free Dog Training

When: 10 AM - 11 AM
Where: Hide-A-Way Small Animal Clinic, Lindale
Cost: Free

Free Dog Training! The experts from Tyler Obedience Training will be there to teach you how to train your pup. This is free to the whole community. Bring your pup on a leash and you will meet in the parking lot at Hide-A-Way Small Animal Clinic.

2nd Annual Antique Quilt Show

When: 10 AM - 4 PM
Where: Goodman-LeGrand House, Tyler
Cost: Free (But $2 donation suggested)

The Goodman Museum will host a special exhibition from March 5 through April 9. Come tour the house and view antique quilts from local collections.

2022 BunnyPalooza

When: 10 AM - 7 PM
Where: YesterLand Farm, Canton
Cost: $17.95 - $42.95 (Get tickets here)

Help us celebrate our annual BunnyPalooza event. Get excited for endless family fun from amazement rides to Easter egg hunts. We’ve got something for everyone to be hoppy about this Spring season. 🎟 Learn more: yesterlandfarm.com/spring-pricing Activities include Easter Egg Hunts, the Easter Bunny, amazements rides, a baby animal arena and more.

2nd Annual Ben Wheeler Fire Department Chili Cook-Off

When: 11 AM – 5 PM
Where: The Forge Bar and Grill, Ben Wheeler

It’s back! Ben Wheeler fire departments second annual chili cook-off! It will be at the Forge this year with great music, good food, all you can eat chili. Contests, cash prizes, corn hole tournament and bounce houses for the kids

Crochet Class

When: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Where: Whitehouse, Tx Community Library
Cost: Free

Crochet all levels. Some basic supplies will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own.

The Great Mistake: Northeast Texas’ first historic aspic competition

When: 2 PM
Where: Sam Bell Maxey House, Paris
Cost: Free

Join four Texas Historical Commission sites from around northeast Texas as we discuss the food misfortune that is Aspic, and how the delicacy has carried on through the years. Brave souls will be invited to try the savory aspic dishes made by site staff from Eisenhower Birthplace, Sam Bell Maxey House, Sam Rayburn House, and Starr Family Home State Historic Sites! Can’t make it out Then Don’t worry - we will live stream the competition on our Facebook pages!

Longview Crawfest

When: 3 PM – 9 PM
Where: Longview Mall, Longview
Cost: $10-$30 (Get tickets here)

Be sure to mark Saturday, April 2nd on your calendar and join us at Longview Mall’s Signature Event, CRAWFEST, from 3-9pm, where we will also be welcoming Special guests TURTLEMAN and TURTLEGAL from Animal Planet’s “Call of the Wildman”! You don’t want to miss this Cajun Throw down!! There will be great music, crawfish for sale by the pound with all the fixin’s (you can vote for the Best Crawfish!), Cornhole Tournaments, Ax Throwing, Vendors Booths, Kid’s area with inflatables, and so much more!! BJ’s Brewhouse will also be there with beverages to help wash those crawdaddys down!!

Grand Opening-Texas Tortilla Kitchen

When: 4 PM - 6 PM
Where: Texas Tortilla Kitchen, Arp
Cost: Free

Come & enjoy some of our tacos & tostadas. All of our enchiladas & sides will be 10% off and we’ll have some gift card giveaways!

Renaissance Under the Stars

When: 5 PM
Where: Winnsboro Civic Center, Winnsboro
Cost: $25 - $5,000 (Get tickets here)

Gala attendees are encouraged to wear Renaissance attire as they gather for the festivities. An outdoor Renaissance Market will beckon guests with its ale/wine garden, marketplace and live entertainment on the grounds. Join us indoors for dinner, live auction and featured entertainment by Emmy and Grammy-nominated Celtic fiddler, Máiréad Nesbitt. New this year will be an online silent auction which will open for bids on March 21st and close at 8 p.m., April 2nd. For more information, click here.

Downtown Longview Cruise Night

When: 5 PM
Where: Methvin Street, Longview
Cost: Free

Come enjoy Downtown Longview and take a walk downtown to see all of the great vehicles of all ages and restorations! Don’t miss this fun, family event! While downtown enjoy dinner & fun with family & friends! **Vehicles participating in cruise night will park along Methvin in front of the Courthouse.

LIVE MUSIC: Brad Lewis

When: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Doc’s Cellar TX, Chandler
Cost: Free

Blue Jeans & Ball Gowns

When: 6 PM
Where: Maude Cobb Convention Center, Longview
Cost: $150 General Admission (Get tickets here)

Join us for the TENTH annual Blue Jeans & Ball Gowns event benefitting East Texas CASA! This night will be action packed... a dance competition featuring some of our most popular participants from the past ten years, a wine pull, photo booth, silent auction, dinner, drinks and more! Grab your table and/or tickets before we sell out!

Dutch Oven Cooking

When: 6 PM - 8 PM
Where: Martin Creek Lake State Park, Tatum
Cost: Regular Park Price Admission

Join one of our wonderful volunteers as they show you the ins and outs of Dutch oven cooking. We will go over ingredients, coal placement, and how long to cook. Samples will be given as long as they last! You don’t want to miss this one so make sure you meet at the amphitheater near the Bee Tree Restroom.

LIVE MUSIC: Mason Dawson (Acoustic)

When: 6 PM - 9 PM
Where: Krawdaddy’s Crawfish Shop, Gilmer
Cost: Free

LIVE MUSIC: Owen Tiner and Chase Glover

When: 7 PM
Where: Doc’s Taco Shop, Kilgore
Cost: Free

Spring Vocal Recital

When: 7 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: Van Cliburn Auditorium, Kilgore
Cost: Free

Join us a vocal students present scenes and songs from musical theater! This concert is free and open to the public.

Celtic Angels Ireland

When: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Where: Memorial City Hall Performance Center, Marshall
Cost: $40 - $50 (Get tickets here)

Celebrating their cherished heritage through Irish dance, music, and song; You’ll be enthralled from the moment the lights dim as the sweet and stirring songs of Ireland, rigorously precise dances, and traditional musicianship carry you to Ireland on wings of music. Learn more here.

LIVE MUSIC: Jenn Ford

When: 8:30 PM
Where: Lake Fork Area Gateway Bar & Grill, Yantis
Cost: Free

An Evening with Kevin Costner

When: 8:30 PM
Where: UT Tyler Cowan Center, Tyler
Cost: $75-$150 (Get tickets here)

One of Hollywood’s greatest living legends is coming to the UT Tyler Cowan Center! Oscar-winning filmmaker and actor Kevin Costner will be in Tyler for one night only to discuss his life and career on Saturday night, April 2. Currently starring as John Dutton on the drama Yellowstone, Costner enjoys a phenomenally successful career in film, television and music. His numerous big screen credits include Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Dances with Wolves, JFK, The Bodyguard, Wyatt Earp, Message in a Bottle, 3000 Miles to Graceland, and many more. On television, he received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his work in Hatfields & McCoys. He also tours the country with his band Kevin Costner & Modern West. He has received two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. A philanthropist, Costner serves on an honorary board for the National World War I Museum in Kansas City. (Get tickets here)

LIVE MUSIC: Covie

When: 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Where: ETX Brewing Co., Tyler
Cost: Free

SUNDAY, 4/3

Azalea & Spring Flower Trail

When: 9 AM – 9 PM
Where: Historic Azalea District, Tyler
Cost: Free

Hike At The Old Henderson Road Trail

When: 10 AM – 11 AM
Where: Martin Creek Lake State Park, Tatum
Cost: Regular Admission Price

Come hike with us on the Henderson Road Trail and learn some of the unique features that Martin Creek Lake State Park has to offer. Dress for the weather and don’t forget to bring some water! Hike will start at the trail head across from the Bee Tree bathroom.

2022 Family Kite Fest

When: 11 AM - 4 PM
Where: A. L. Mangham Jr. Regional Airport, Nacogdoches
Cost: Free

Join us for some great family fun on Sunday, April 3rd, at A.L. Mangham Jr. Regional Airport in Nacogdoches. We will have activities, bounce houses, food trucks, kites, and lots of fun! Admission is free - tickets and wristbands can be purchased onsite for participation in events! All proceeds benefit The Helping House in Nacogdoches.

Grow & Eat Like a Farmer

When: 2 PM – 4 PM
Where: Grow It Forward Farm, Athens
Cost: $30 (Sign up here)

This is a beginners class on growing your own food. We will be talking about using containers, growing in raised beds and a small garden area. We want you to grow & eat like us! Tickets are $30 and we have limited space. Sign up here.

“Women On The Way” Book Reading

When: 2:30 PM - 4 PM
Where: St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Henderson
Cost: Free

A dramatic reading of Katie Sherrod’s “Women on the Way, Women of the Passion: A Journey to the Cross will be presented at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. These are the stories of women who were touched by the life of Jesus. There is no charge for this event. Childcare will be available in the parish hall. For further information, call 903-657-3154.

Shine Night

When: 6 PM
Where: Shine Tyler, Downtown Tyler
Cost: Free

This is the first Shine Night of 2022. Meet at the coffee shop for music and fellowship. See our adventures at Shine here.

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