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! For a look at live music around East Texas, check out our Live Music Lineup!

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

THURSDAY, 8/24

Cheers to You 2.0! Bottle Decorating Class

When: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: High Hill Farm, Arp
Cost: $40

You will create a gorgeous Altered Wine Bottle during the course of this class. Learn the secrets of layering and adding texture to create your own unique work of Art! Optional: bring a small hair dryer to speed up the drying process and a hot glue gun with glue sticks (if you have one).

Nunsense the Musical

When: 7:00 PM
Where: Hemphill Little Theatre, Hemphill
Cost: $10 Pre-sale | $12 at the door

NUNSENSE IS HABIT-FORMING! THIS RIOTOUS SHOW IS A FUNDRAISER PUT ON BY THE LITTLE SISTERS OF HOBOKEN TO RAISE MONEY TO BURY SISTERS ACCIDENTLY POISONED BY THE CONVENT COOK, SISTER JULIA (CHILD OF GOD). UPDATED WITH NEW JOKES, ADDITIONAL LYRICS, TWO NEW ARRANGEMENTS, AND A BRAND NEW SONG, THIS MADCAP MUSICAL WAS RECORDED FOR TELEVISION STARRING RUE MCCLANAHAN AS THE MOTHER SUPERIOR.

The Esquire Players present Fiddler on the Roof

When: 7:00 PM
Where: The Esquire Theater, Carthage
Cost: $5-$25

Come see the Esquire Players put on a performance of Fiddler on the Roof JR!

FRIDAY, 8/25

Ice Cream Day

When: 11:00 AM - Noon
Where: Longview Arboretum & Nature Center, Longview
Cost: Free

Join us August 25th at 11am for Ice Cream Day!

All are welcome for this FREE event!

80 Acre Market

When: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: 80 Acre Market, Gilmer
Cost: Free

CANVAS Painting $10 - all weekend long

FREE Self-Portrait Craft - all weekend long

FREE Sidewalk Chalk - all weekend long

Dace Kidd Solo Show

When: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Martin Walker, P.C., Tyler
Cost: Free

Join me for my solo art show at the Arcadia Theater / Martin Walker Law Firm to see some hot new paintings. Live rock music performance by The Haggertys.

Opening of the art show is Friday, August 25th, 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm. Complimentary adult refreshments. The show will be on view until November 10th. Artwork will be for sale + help to celebrate James’s birthday. He will be 5 5 years old!

A Grand Piano Concert

When: 6:00 PM
Where: Braithwaite Recital Hall, UT Tyler, Tyler
Cost: Free

Please join us for the first concert of the year! Faculty member, Mrs. Elena Daughtery is giving a grand piano concert in Braithwaite Recital Hall on August 25, 2023 at 6 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Nunsense the Musical

When: 7:00 PM
Where: Hemphill Little Theatre, Hemphill
Cost: $10 Pre-sale | $12 at the door

The Esquire Players present Fiddler on the Roof

When: 7:00 PM
Where: The Esquire Theater, Carthage
Cost: $5-$25

Come see the Esquire Players put on a performance of Fiddler on the Roof JR!

Open Mic Night

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

Open mic night at the The Understudy is happening!

SATURDAY, 8/26

Kilgore Farmers Market

When: 8:00 AM - Noon
Where: 100 E North St, Kilgore
Cost: Free

Produce, crafts, food, & more every Saturday morning from April 15th till October 21st 2023.

The Great Cardboard Boat Race 2023

When: 8:30 AM
Where: Teague Park, Longview
Cost: Free to attend

The Great Cardboard Boat Race is the official launch event for Greater Longview United Way’s annual fundraising efforts. The event is meant to raise awareness, get people excited, celebrate the spirit of working together, and help increase workplace campaigns so that we can better advance the common good.

Boats are made entirely of cardboard and powered by two (or more) paddlers that race around Teague Park pond. Teams compete in heats for bragging rights, glory, and some pretty awesome trophies.

Saturday Market at Bergfeld Park

When: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Bergfeld Park, Tyler
Cost: Free

A premier shopping event! Join us for rows of local vendors, boutiques, direct sales, and fun!

Family Fun Day

When: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Bergfeld Park, Tyler
Cost: Free

Come join us for Family Fun Day at Bergfeld Park! There will be food trucks, games, prizes, health and self-care resources and more!

Gorgeous Girls with Goals Vision Board Workshop

When: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Tyler Public Library, Tyler
Cost: Free

Join us Saturday, August 26th at the 2023 I Am Beautiful Movement 11th Annual Celebration. Gorgeous Girls with Goals Vision Board Workshop! UNLOCK YOUR GREATNESS. UNLEASH YOUR POSSIBILITIES. We will provide all supplies, but feel free to bring anything you would like to add to your vision board. We will be talking about goal setting, writing down our visions and dreams. I Am Beautiful Movement, created for girls 3rd -12th grades. Our vision is to encourage & let the girls know ‘God created you to let your inner BEAUTY shine through!’

80 Acre Market

When: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Where: 80 Acre Market, Gilmer
Cost: Free

CANVAS Painting $10 - all weekend long

FREE Self-Portrait Craft - all weekend long

FREE Sidewalk Chalk - all weekend long

BLOOM! Family Day

When: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Longview Museum of Fine Arts, Longview
Cost: Free

Fun at all three Museums! Food Trucks, Kona Ice, Scavenger Hunts, Face Painting, Art Activities, Story Time, and last day to see BLOOM! and GCHM NASA exhibits.

Raffle tickets are also available to win “East Texas Sun”, an original oil painting by LMFA’s summer artist in residence, Mark Nesmith.

Stanley’s BBQ Fundraiser Meet & Greet

When: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, Tyler
Cost: Free

Join Us for a Rockin’ Meet and Greet at Stanley’s BBQ this Saturday!

Live Music: Groove to the beats of Mid Life Chrysler as they take the stage and keep you dancing all evening long!

Indulge in Refreshment: Cool down with delicious treats from Kona Ice – the perfect way to beat the summer heat!

BBQ Delights: Treat your taste buds to mouthwatering BBQ that’ll have you coming back for seconds, thirds, and more!

Meet the Tiny Evie Rocks Team: Connect with the minds behind Tiny Evie Rocks and discover our passion for mental wellness and suicide prevention. It’s your chance to chat with the team!

The Esquire Players present Fiddler on the Roof

When: 2:00 PM
Where: The Esquire Theater, Carthage
Cost: $5-$25

Come see the Esquire Players put on a performance of Fiddler on the Roof JR!

Kilgore Cruise Night

When: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Historic Downtown Kilgore
Cost: Free

Cars! Trucks! Motorcycles! If it’s got wheels it’s welcome to our ‘Shine & Show’ every Last Saturday of Every Month in Historic Downtown Kilgore, 5-8pm in the summer Daylight Savings Time. It’s always a fun time and 50 - 250 cars arrive every Last Saturday.

Balloon Fest 2023

When: 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Where: Kit McConnico Park, Lufkin
Cost: $50 per vehicle, up to 6 people per vehicle

Balloon Fest is a family-friendly evening in the park. There will be tethered hot air balloon rides, live music, food, vendors, a petting zoo, bouncy houses, slides, sports activities, arts & crafts and more!

All proceeds support Junior Achievement of Angelina County, who inspire and prepare young people for success through financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Tickets are $50 per vehicle, with up to 6 people per vehicle.

Malice at the Palace Pro Boxing

When: 7:00 PM
Where: The Oil Palace, Tyler
Cost: $40-$65

IBA International Featherweight Title on the line for both men and women!

Nunsense the Musical

When: 7:00 PM
Where: Hemphill Little Theatre, Hemphill
Cost: $10 Pre-sale | $12 at the door

The Esquire Players present Fiddler on the Roof

When: 7:00 PM
Where: The Esquire Theater, Carthage
Cost: $5-$25

Come see the Esquire Players put on a performance of Fiddler on the Roof JR!

Sock Hop

When: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Where: Mount Pleasant Civic Center
Cost: $15 for 13 and up | Free for 12 and under

Come join “The C” Dale Cummings and the CASA crew for a good ole rocking roll time!!! On August 26th at the Mt. Pleasant Civic Center from 7-9. We will have door prizes, a Twist dance-off, and a 50′s Costume Contest. There will be foods and snacks available with goodies including Hot dogs, Nachos, drinks, Candy, and more!!!