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!

If you know of another event, or see an inaccuracy below, please let us know here.

THURSDAY, 12/22

Pancakes with Mrs. Claus

• When: 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
• Where: Lulu & Kakes Cupcakery & Sweet Shoppe, Palestine

Grab a plate piled high with pancakes and all the toppings you can imagine!

Thursdays in the Garden: Winter Season

• When: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Where: Durst Taylor Museum, Nacogdoches
• Cost: Free

Join us for Thursdays in the Garden: Winter Season at Durst-Taylor Historic House and Garden.

Join us for crafts (indoor if chilly out), tour the winter garden and learn how an 1800s farmstead prepared for the cold winter months. We will also have take-home cookies.

This event is free to the public and is great for children 2 to 10 years old.

Pictures with Santa

• When: 10:00 AM - Noon
• Where: Plaza Tower, Tyler

Get a photo with Santa in the Plaza Tower Atrium located in Downtown Tyler at 110 N College Ave.

Polar Express Story Time

• When: 10:30 AM
• Where: Kilgore Public Library
• Cost: Free

Join us at the library as our special guest reader Dean Kinney takes us aboard the Polar Express!

Buddy the Elf at 1855

• When: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Where: 1855 Restaurant, Palestine
• Cost: Free

Kids eat free with Buddy. Get your photo with the Elf and a free bag of Reindeer food. Next to the Schulman Theater on Palestine Avenue less that 5 minutes from the loop.

Holiday in the Garden

• When: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Where: Tyler Rose Garden
• Cost: Free

Come see the Tyler Rose Garden holiday lights inside and outside of the garden! Enjoy this free display between 5-8 p.m. from now until the end of the year (closed Dec. 23-26).

Pictures and Hot Chocolate with Santa

• When: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Where: Point Volunteer Fire Dept., Point
• Cost: Free

Santa will be here from 5 pm to 8 pm for photos. We will have hot chocolate available for you while you wait!

Game Night at SHINE

• When: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
• Where: SHINE, Tyler
• Cost: Free

Thursday nights are Game Nights at Shine! We have throwback games like the Spirograph Art Kit, UNO, and Sorry! How about trying a game like Speed Charades or Exploding Kittens?

And, did we mention you could WIN a Door Prize?! Perfect for a night with friends, a family night, or date night!

Come check it out! Grab a coffee, Italian Soda and have a night of fun!

Stew, Stroll, & Strum

• When: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• Where: Millard’s Crossing Historic Village, Nacogdoches
• Cost: Free

This is a time you can come out and play music, sing, stroll through the buildings, and maybe have a bowl of stew. Bring your favorite beverage, a chair, and dress comfy for a relaxing time.

Zip Line Thru the Lights

• When: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
• Where: Thomas Falls Zip-Line & Outdoor Adventures, Diana
• Cost: Check prices here | Must make reservation

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE. NO WALK-INS! MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY by phoning 903-968-6924.

TIS THE SEASON - ZIP-LINE thru the LIGHTS! OUTDOOR HOLIDAY FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! 1000′S OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS! DOZENS OF CHRISTMAS SCENES!

Zip-lining | Christmas Maze | Bethlehem Square | Wagon Rides | Santa’s Gravity Defying Workshop | Train Engine | Sleigh Rides & More!

Christmas Carol Sing Along

• When: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
• Where: Historic Texas Theatre, Palestine
• Cost: Free

Put on your festive sweaters and head over to the Historic Texas Theatre for a classic Christmas sing along to traditional Christmas Carols. Free refreshments served at 6:30 pm, sing along begins at 7:00 pm!

213 W. Crawford Street

FRIDAY, 12/23

Pancakes with Mrs. Claus

• When: 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
• Where: Lulu & Kakes Cupcakery & Sweet Shoppe, Palestine

Grab a plate piled high with pancakes and all the toppings you can imagine!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

• When: 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Where: Green Goat Winery, Chandler
• Cost: Free

Join us for fun and prizes at our Ugly Christmas Sweater Party! The uglier the better! Show us what you’ve got at The Goat!

Buddy the Elf at 1855

• When: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Where: 1855 Restaurant, Palestine
• Cost: Free

Kids eat free with Buddy. Get your photo with the Elf and a free bag of Reindeer food. Next to the Schulman Theater on Palestine Avenue less that 5 minutes from the loop.

Christmas in the Woodlands (Free Camping 12/23-12/26)

• When: 6:00 PM
• Where: 4033 AN County Road 2212, Palestine
• Cost: Free Camping

Celebrate the holiday with a gift of free camping this Christmas! Woodcock Woodlands camping is open this weekend to host you and yours.

Bring your favorite dish and some good cheer, and join us for a family style potluck Christmas dinner on Saturday, December 24, 2022.

Outlaw Country Christmas Park

• When: 6:00 PM
• Where: Outlaw Country, Palestine
• Cost: Free

Join your OC family for a festive night in ur Christmas PJs as well as Mid-night karaoke!

Outlaw Country is a Country music venue with a full week schedule to provide fun for all! Daily drink specials, Karaoke, video DJ, & live music!

Cafe Ü Open Mic

• When: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• Where: Cafe Ü, Mineola
• Cost: Free

Drop in, jam out and hang out with your local musicians. Grab a coffee or tea, find a seat (or a spot to dance), and relax and enjoy local tunes. We can’t wait to see Ü.

The Longview SP!NZ: Horsin’ Around

• When: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• Where: 101 W Tyler Ave, Longview
• Cost: Free

The sounds that spring forth from your speakers so bright, it could only be the Oil Horse SP!NZ on a late December night! And on Friday December 23 we’re going to put under the trees of 3 lucky patrons a vinyl copy of The Best of Pentatonix Christmas!!! Your Christmas Eve will be the most harmonious on the block! Join us for an evening of merriment as I dig out some of my favorite holiday songs from my giant Christmas shelf - honestly probably way too much Christmas music in my house - for your holiday enjoyment!

Family Game Night

• When: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
• Where: Three Suns Unlimited, Longview
• Cost: Free

Family Game Night FREE. Bring the family and play games from our games library.

Zip Line Thru the Lights

• When: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
• Where: Thomas Falls Zip-Line & Outdoor Adventures, Diana
• Cost: Check prices here | Must make reservation

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE. NO WALK-INS! MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY by phoning 903-968-6924.

TIS THE SEASON - ZIP-LINE thru the LIGHTS! OUTDOOR HOLIDAY FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! 1000′S OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS! DOZENS OF CHRISTMAS SCENES!

Zip-lining | Christmas Maze | Bethlehem Square | Wagon Rides | Santa’s Gravity Defying Workshop | Train Engine | Sleigh Rides & More!

Open Mic Night at The Understudy

• When: 8:00 PM
• Where: The Understudy, Tyler
• Cost: $10

Open mic night at the The Understudy is happening and it ain’t Christmas Eve yet. Don’t miss your opportunity to take the stage.

SATURDAY, CHRISTMAS EVE

Buddy the Elf at 1855

• When: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Where: 1855 Restaurant, Palestine
• Cost: Free

Kids eat free with Buddy. Get your photo with the Elf and a free bag of Reindeer food. Next to the Schulman Theater on Palestine Avenue less that 5 minutes from the loop.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

• When: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
• Where: The Marina at Holiday Inn Club, Flint
• Cost: Free

Come out and join us for a fun evening, be sure to dress in your worst Christmas sweater. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd worst judged, we’ll have cold drinks and food and karaoke to liven the night!

Christmas Eve Party at Republic Icehouse

• When: 8:00 PM - 1:00 AM
• Where: Republic Icehouse, Tyler
• Cost: Free

21+ after 10:00 PM

Gather your friends, family or co-workers and come have a good time!!

•Xmas Drink Specials

•Delicious Food

•Covered Patio w/Heaters

•Giant Jenga

•Cornhole

•Darts

•Pool Tables

•Giant Connect-4

SUNDAY, CHRISTMAS

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

Want your event included? Add it here.

Stay Connected

Stay up to date on all things The East Texas Weekend!

Like us on Facebook | Instagram | Contact us | Download our App (Apple, Google)

Copyright 2022 KLTV. All rights reserved.