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, 8/31

47th Annual Bluegrass Festival

When: Noon - 11:00 PM
Where: Salmon Lake Park, Grapeland
Cost: $25 Thurs/Fri Day Pass | $30 Saturday Day Pass | $70 Weekend Pass

15 bands. Music noon to 11 pm daily.Food Trucks. Family friendly.

Sharon Shrine Circus

When: 7:00 PM
Where: 1702 South Adams Street, Canton
Cost: $10-$20

Owned and produced by Jody and Melanie Jordan of Las Vegas, Nevada. Hailing from a long background of aerialists and circus performers, Jordan brings a unique talent to the circus management field. His exciting 90 minute shows are presented on annual tours from coast to coast and border to border by local Shrine Centers and Clubs, police and fire associations, civic clubs and organizations, merchant associations, local presenters and venues.

FRIDAY, 9/1

47th Annual Bluegrass Festival

When: Noon - 11:00 PM
Where: Salmon Lake Park, Grapeland
Cost: $25 Thurs/Fri Day Pass | $30 Saturday Day Pass | $70 Weekend Pass

15 bands. Music noon to 11 pm daily. Food Trucks. Family friendly.

Brown Bag Family Movie & Craft

When: 2:30 PM
Where: Van Zandt County Library, Canton
Cost: Free

The first day back to Hogwarts is just around the corner! Come enjoy the Wizarding World at the Library September 1st with crafts, coloring and a movie.

We will be showing “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” at 2:30PM. During this time we will have materials to make your own Wand Pencils. There will also be coloring sheets, popcorn and Butterbeer set out for everyone to enjoy.

Sharon Shrine Circus

When: 4:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Where: Longview Rodeo Arena, Longview
Cost: $10-$20

The Shape of Color

When: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Hinds Fine Art Gallery and Event Space, Tyler
Cost: Free

Local artist Ingrid Horner will be on display at Hinds Fine Art Gallery at 117 S. Broadway in Tyler, Texas through the month of September. The opening reception is September 1st from 6:00-8:00 PM. Free admission, and refreshments.

Full Moon Ceremony

When: 6:30 PM
Where: BeFree Yoga, Tyler
Cost: $20

Full Blue Supermoon in Pisces this week!! 🩵🌊🌝

Deep intuitive psychic connections, intense empathy and compassion, a lot of introspection, and crazy artistic creativity!!!

Open your heart. Open your mind. Forge new paths.

And embrace allllll the feelings this week!!!

First Friday Film - The History of Time Travel

When: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Where: Cole Art Center, Nacogdoches
Cost: Free

Join us on Friday, September 1 at 7pm for a free public screening of The History of Time Travel, a mockumentary written and directed by SFA alumnus Ricky Kennedy.

Kennedy will join us for a Q&A following the film.

Beginner Swing Dance Lessons & Social Dance

When: 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Where: Artistic Dance Concepts
Cost: $8

Come Swing Dance with us!

No partner or experience is required

SATURDAY, 9/2

Kilgore Farmers Market

When: 8:00 AM - Noon
Where: 100 East North Street, Kilgore
Cost: Free

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

9th Annual Hatch Chile Fest

When: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Farmers & Artisan Market, Paris
Cost: Free

This popular event is in its 8th year and features 2500 lbs of the freshest hatch chiles straight from New Mexico.

The aroma permeates the market and there is nothing like the sizzling and popping sound of the chiles as they roast.

2023 Labor Day Classic Car Show

When: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: 100 East Broadway, Winnsboro
Cost: Free

All Classic Cars, Trucks & Motorcycles Registration 8 am - 10 am

Judging 10 am - 12 pm | Awards 1:00 pm

Square Game, 50/50 Raffle

First Saturday Hike

When: 9:00 AM
Where: Tyler State Park, Tyler
Cost: $6 Park Entry Fee

Join us for our “First Saturday Hike” at Tyler State Park. We’ll meet at 9:00 a.m. in the lot adjacent to the Camp Store.

This is a group led hike and not organized by a specific person. As a group, we’ll decide which trail(s) to hike. Use the comments section to discuss the hike with other members of the group.

As a reminder, there is a $6.00 park entry fee, unless you have a state park annual pass. We suggest arriving at the park no later than 8:45 to allow time to go through the gates, register and pay. As usual, please make sure you bring plenty of water, bug repellent and sunscreen. Dogs, on leash are welcome. Please clean up after your pets.

Saturdays on Main

When: 9:00 AM
Where: Downtown Palestine
Cost: Free

Saturdays on Main is a family friendly event held on the first Saturday of each month to feature all the fun things to see and do in the 44 blocks of the Palestine Main Street District in downtown Palestine, Texas.

Kids Day at East Texas Oil Museum

When: 10:00 AM - Noon
Where: East Texas Oil Museum, Kilgore
Cost: Free

Get ready for a morning full of family fun and excitement, completely FREE for everyone between 10:00 AM and noon!

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Kilgore City Mayor Ronnie Spradlin, we’re thrilled to bring you a fantastic event you won’t want to miss!

Annual BBQ & Fundraiser

When: 11:00 AM - Food is Gone
Where: 325 Goose Prairie Dr, Karnack
Cost: $15

GREATER CADDO LAKE ASSOCIATION-TEXAS

Cordially Invites You to Our ANNUAL BBQ AND FUNDRAISER

Brisket, Sausage Links, Beans, Cole Slaw, Bread, Desserts, Iced Tea, Water

Fall Book Sale

When: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Where: Whitehouse, TX Community Library
Cost: Free

Come join us on September 2nd for our Fall Book Sale! We are excited to have quite the collection for you to choose from!

We will provide a sack for you to fill until your heart is content for just $4! In our large selection, you’ll be able to find lots of children’s books, audiobooks, among many other categories.

3rd Annual ETX Labor Day Showdown Benefit Tournament

When: Noon - 6:00 PM
Where: REO Starplex Event Center & Roller Rink, Longview

Benefit armwrestling tournament to help raise funds for the Pulling for Kids event and Special Needs Kids.

Skating rink and Arcade for the whole family to enjoy

Delicious food to include pizza , wings and burgers

47th Annual Bluegrass Festival

When: Noon - 11:00 PM
Where: Salmon Lake Park, Grapeland
Cost: $25 Thurs/Fri Day Pass | $30 Saturday Day Pass | $70 Weekend Pass

15 bands. Music noon to 11 pm daily. Food Trucks. Family friendly.

Sharon Shrine Circus

When: 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Where: The Oil Palace, Tyler
Cost: $10-$20

Sabine Stomp

When: 3:30 PM
Where: Mineola Nature Preserve, Mineola
Cost: $50 in advance | $60 Day of

As part of our year-long Sesquicentennial Celebration, the city will host The Sabine Stomp Music Festival on September 2 at the Mineola Nature Preserve! Musical Artists on the bill will be headliner Old 97′s, Texas/Red Dirt pioneer Cory Morrow, up-and-coming Texas artist Josh Ward, and Lindale’s own Chris Colston as well as Nick Brumley, Kenneth Waters, hometown heroes Blue Mudbone, and Jennifer Pisarcik.

Downtown Longview Cruise Night

When: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Gregg County Courthouse, Longview
Cost: Free

The Downtown Longview Cruise Night is a FREE car show filled with amazing new and classic cars from all over East Texas.

We have food, music, and of course cars.

The East Texas Women of Music Showcase

When: 7:00 PM
Where: The Forge Bar & Grill, Ben Wheeler
Cost: Free

East Texas Women of Music” is an event featuring six lovely and talented women that will be performing a mix of original and cover tunes for your enjoyment under the live oaks.

End of Summer Luau

When: 7:00 PM
Where: The Lakeside Grill at The Lake Tyler Marina, Whitehouse

Come celebrate the end of summer with us on Labor Day weekend! We will be having a Hawaiian Luau, so come dressed for the occasion! DJ Redman will be playing all your favorite tunes. Come party with us!

Symphony in the Park

When: 7:00 PM
Where: Bergfeld Park, Tyler
Cost: Free

Don’t miss our third annual Symphony in the Park! This free community concert will feature Richard Lee and your East Texas Symphony Orchestra performing some of your favorites live under a Texas sky. Make sure to arrive early and bring your lawn chairs or blankets as space is limited in the main seating area.

All Star Improv

When: 8:00 PM
Where: The Understudy, Tyler
Cost: $20

Improv Comedy from some of the best in Texas!

Majesty Event Center Labor Day Weekend Luau

When: 8:00 PM - 1:00 PM (9/3)
Where: The Majesty Event Center, Tyler
Cost: $20 Presale | $30 at the door

Join us for a night of island paradise. The Majesty is hosting their annual Luau Bash this Labor Day Weekend. Come join the vibe and relax to live music and a comedic performance.

Special musical performances by Marlo & Rufus C & The Pick 5 Band. The party doesn’t stop there, dance and groove to some popular R&B, Southern Soul, Jazz, and line dance hits. Also get ready for a night of laughter as comedian Dez Oneal brings the house down.

Doors open at 8p.m. Complimentary snacks. Drinks available for purchase at the tiki bar.

Saturday Night Stand Up

When: 8:30 PM
Where: Rose City Comedy, Tyler
Cost: $15

It’s another great night of Stand-up in Tyler, TX. This week’s guests include Casey Coleman, Crux Crawford, Kevin Deanda, and Tom Compian. Hosted by Jared Jordan!

SUNDAY, 9/3

Ratchetfest Car Truck & Bike Show

When: 1:00 PM
Where: Brookside Ranch Event Center, Tyler

RATCHETFEST CAR TRUCK & BIKE SHOW GONE BE A MOVIE WITH LIVE PERFORMANCES FROM LIL BOOSIE SNUG BEAT KING & MORE.

Sharon Shrine Circus

When: 1:30 PM & 5:30 PM
Where: The Oil Palace, Tyler
Cost: $10-$20

Rose City Swing Social Dance

When: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Where: Mangos Dance Music Language Arts Studio, Tyler
Cost: $5

This a Lindy Hop social dance.

This dance is partnered and danced to swing jazz music.

There will be a quickstart beginner lesson

No partner required

Moonlight Madness Event

When: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Where: Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta
Cost: Free

Join us the Sunday before Labor Day to enjoy Downtown Atlanta, TX after dark! The Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Moonlight Madness Sale, presented by HealthCare Express, is an evening of shopping sales and activity in the streets of downtown.

*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.