The East Texas Weekend Preview — 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, 1/4
Bilingual Story Time
- When: 9:30am-10am
- Where: Kilgore Public Library
- Cost: Free
The Quilter’s Club
- When: 10am-1pm
- Where: Tyler Public Library
- Cost: Free
“Do you love to quilt? Sew? Then you’ll love our Quilting Club! The club meets every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. in the Makerspace Room on the Third floor.”
Festival of Trees
- When: 10am-5pm
- Where: Museum of East Texas, Lufkin
- Cost: Free
“Every year during the holidays the Museum of East Texas transforms into a brightly colored forest lined with rows of trees covered in festive holiday decorations. The community comes together to put on the Festival of Trees as each tree decorated and displayed is sponsored by a business, family, group of friends, or individual. Bring the whole family and wander through the festival.”
Open Mic @ The Edom Art House
- When: 5pm-7pm
- Where: Edom Art House, Edom
- Cost: Free Entry
“Get ready to hear people sing and recite original works from the heart. First come first serve for performers. Bring an acoustic instrument, a chair, and a friend. You don’t have to play to enjoy the good vibes.”
ADVERTISEMENT
FRIDAY, 1/5
East Region AgriLife Conference and Expo
- When: 7:30am
- Where: Tyler Rose Garden Center, Tyler
- Cost: $10 Online / $20 at Door
“This educational event is geared towards professionals working for city parks departments, athletic fields, golf courses, school districts, pest control services, landscapers, lawn care services, and agricultural producers who are seeking continuing education. The program for Structural Applicators (SPCS) begins at 8:00 am and the program for Texas Department of Agricultural (TDA) Private, Commercial & Non-Commercial Applicators begins at 8:30 am. Registration for everyone begins at 7:15 am. 6 SPCS CEU’s will be offered (1 Termite, 1 Pest, 2 General, 1 Lawn and Ornamental, 1 Weed). 5 TDA CEU’s will be offered (2 General, 1 Laws and Regulations, and 2 Integrated Pest Management). Registration is online at smith.agrilife.org for both events. The cost is $10 per person if registered online and on-site registration (pay at the door) is $20 per person. Cash, checks, or credit cards will be accepted on site. Lunch will be provided. For online registration, go to smith.agrilife.org/erace. The flyer and schedule are posted on the Texas A&M AgriLife-Smith County Facebook page. If you have any questions, please contact the Smith County Extension office 903-590-2980.”
Festival of Trees
- When: 10am-5pm
- Where: Museum of East Texas, Lufkin
- Cost: Free
“Every year during the holidays the Museum of East Texas transforms into a brightly colored forest lined with rows of trees covered in festive holiday decorations. The community comes together to put on the Festival of Trees as each tree decorated and displayed is sponsored by a business, family, group of friends, or individual. Bring the whole family and wander through the festival.”
BB Formalwear Grand Opening
- When: 11am-5pm
- Where: 300 W Rusk St, Tyler
- Cost: Free Entry
“Prom Vendors - Food - Drinks - Photo Booth - DJ - and a professional photo with you in your dress.”
Goodman All Dressed Up for the Holidays
- When: 10am-4pm
- Where: Goodman-LeGrand Museum & Gardens, Tyler
- Cost: Free ($3 Donation Suggested.)
“Come see the Goodman-LeGrand all decked out for the season!”
First Friday Film - Lapsis
- When: 7pm
- Where: Cole Art Center, Nacogdoches
- Cost: Free
“Join us on Friday, January 5 for a free public screening of the science fiction drama Lapsis at the Cole Art Center. The 2020 film was directed by Noah Hutton and stars Dean Imperial, Babe Howard, and Madeline Wise. In a parallel present, delivery man Ray Tincelli is struggling to support himself and his ailing younger brother. After a series of 2-bit hustles and unsuccessful swindles, Ray takes a job in a strange new realm of the gig economy: trekking deep into the forest, pulling cable over miles of terrain to connect large, metal cubes that link together the new quantum trading market. As he gets pulled deeper into the zone, he encounters growing hostility and the threat of robot cablers, and must choose to either help his fellow workers or to get rich and get out. First Friday Films are always free and open to the public”
ADVERTISEMENT
Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
- When: 7pm-9pm
- Where: 708 E College St, Athens
- Cost: $15 (Buy Tickets Here!)
“Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville is a comedic take on the classic Shelock Holmes tale, The Hound of the Baskervilles. It is a play in two acts and uses some special effects including flashing lights. The play will be performed at the Athens High School Theater, behind the High School, access from Dull Averiette St.”
SATURDAY, 1/6
2024 Longview Challenge
- When: 7:30am
- Where: Hinsley Park, Longview
- Cost: Varied Depending on Division (Register Here!)
“Hosted by the Longview Disc Golf Association. Kick off the new year with the 2024 Longview Challenge, a PDGA C-Tier event on January 6 at Hinsley Park and Guthrie Creek in Longview!”
First Saturday Hike @ Tyler State Park
- When: 9am-11:30am
- Where: Tyler State Park
- Cost: $6
“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.”
Canton Texas Meeting & Poultry Show
- When: 9am-3pm
- Where: Van Zandt County Fairgrounds
- Cost: Free
“Come on out & show your support for the TGBA by getting you a membership, getting in on swim raffles, donating raffle items, getting you some 50/50 tickets, buying you some official TGBA merchandise, or just stopping and listening in on some DOs & DON’Ts of our sport…. Come out for a great day of chicken talk & camaraderie like no other!!”
Beginner Fly Fishing Class
- When: 9am
- Where: Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, Athens
- Cost: $50
“The classes are open to adults and youths accompanied with an adult. No fly-fishing experience is required. Equipment will be provided, but students may bring their own. Instruction will focus on equipment, equipment selection, basic knot tying, casting and casting fundamentals. The $50 fee for the class will include lunch. Bob is a member of Trout Unlimited and lives on Richland-Chambers Reservoir. Bob has fly-fished for trout throughout the U.S. and redfish along the Texas coast as well as tarpon in Puerto Rico. Bob also builds handmade bass and fly rods along with tying his own flies.
Reservations are required, and each class is limited to 20 persons. Make checks payable to “Friends of TFFC” and mail to Craig Brooks at 5550 F.M. 2495, Athens, TX 75752. For more information or to register by telephone for the class, call or email Craig Brooks at (903) 670-2222 or craig.brooks@tpwd.texas.gov.”
Three Roots Boutique
- When: 10am
- Where: Three Roots Boutique, Gladewater
- Cost: Free Entry
“Join us for our Grand Re-opening Celebration in our new location at 117 W. Commerce Street in Gladewater. We are excited to share our new space with you! Come and enjoy: -Complimentary grazing board -Complimentary bubbly -20% discount off all items in the store -50% discount off all holiday bath & body -Giveaways -And more!”
Fit City Tyler Health & Wellness Expo and Lighten Up East Texas Kickoff Event
- When: 10am-2:30pm
- Where: W.T. Brookshire Conference Center, Tyler
- Cost: Free Entry
“Nutrition - Fitness - Resources - Prizes.”
BB Formalwear Grand Opening
- When: 11am-5pm
- Where: 300 W Rusk St, Tyler
- Cost: Free Entry
“Prom Vendors - Food - Drinks - Photo Booth - DJ - and a professional photo with you in your dress.”
New Year, New Rider Party
- When: 12pm
- Where: 2518 NW Stallings Dr, Nacogdoches
- Cost: Free Entry
“Start the New Year right with meeting new friends! Join our local HOG Chapter for a ride to Lake Naconiche! KSU at 12PM. Come back to Lumberjack Harley-Davidson for free appetizers, cake and adult beverages! New riders will have a chance to win a 1 year Lumberjack HOG membership or pair of Gauntlet Gloves!”
ADVERTISEMENT
SFA vs. UT-Arlington Men’s Basketball
- When: 2pm
- Where: William R Johnson Coliseum, Nacogdoches
- Cost: $15 and up
“Join us in the WRJ Coliseum for Lumberjack Basketball! The Sawmill will be rockin’!” Buy Tickets Here!
2023 Malakoff Tiger Football State Champion Parade
- When: 3pm
- Where: Malakoff Community Center
- Cost: Free
“Join us to celebrate our 2023 3A Div 1 Malakoff Tiger Football State Champion Team.”
“The Recipe” Teen Writing Workshop
- When: 4:30pm-6:30pm
- Where: The Foundry Coffee House, Tyler
- Cost: Free (Register Here!)
“I am beyond excited to announce that we are lining up the new year with a series of continuous writing workshops. These workshops are designed to develop critical thinking skills, advocate for cognitive development, and provide a healthy space for our youth to express their emotions and concerns.
Through these workshops, we aim to help our participants identify social dynamics, navigate peer pressure, and embrace life on a larger scale. Whether they are already writers or just starting to explore their creativity, we want to provide them with the opportunity to delve into the world of writing.”
West Coast Swing with Leslie Wise
- When: 6pm
- Where: Mangos Dancesport & Event Center, Tyler
- Cost: $10
“Kick off the new year with lessons from Swing Dance Champion Leslie Wise at Mangos Dancesport! Learn the fundamentals of West Coast Swing and get moving to the beat. Join her every Saturday at Mangos at 6PM starting January 6th. $10 per person at the door. Parking is in front, then walk down the steps to the left of the building and down the ramp. The studio double doors are located in the back.”
Krazy Hat Party - Krewe of Hebe - 2024
- When: 7pm
- Where: The Historic Jefferson Hotel, Jefferson
- Cost: Free
“Come join us for our annual 12th Night Party to kick off Mardi Gras season!!Wear your craziest hat and enjoy some food and drinks. This event is hosted by Krewe members, but non members are welcome to join us and find out what our organization is all about. We will start collecting dues for 2024 at this event!”
2024 Winter Concert
- When: 7pm
- Where: The Fredonia Hotel & Convention Center
- Cost: Free
“The East Texas Chamber Winds will present a concert, performing the works of Raff, Francaix, and Bologne. Reception to follow including complimentary snacks and a cash bar!”
Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
- When: 7pm-9pm
- Where: 708 E College St, Athens
- Cost: $15 (Buy Tickets Here!)
“Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville is a comedic take on the classic Shelock Holmes tale, The Hound of the Baskervilles. It is a play in two acts and uses some special effects including flashing lights. The play will be performed at the Athens High School Theater, behind the High School, access from Dull Averiette St.”
Comedy Show @ Firehouse
- When: 8pm
- Where: 106 E Tyler St, Longview
- Cost: $15
“Text 903-426-5199 to buy tickets in advance or to reserve a table! It’s going to be a great show!!!”
SUNDAY, 1/7
The Whisnants
- When: 8:30am
- Where: New Hope Baptist Church, Mineola
- Cost: Free
“Gospel, Southern Gospel Concert.”
Cars & Coffee
- When: 8:30am-10:30am
- Where: Hall Buick GMC, Tyler
- Cost: Free
“All makes and models welcome! Come out and show off your cool ride, while you enjoy some great coffee!”
Emily Rae’s Bridal Spectacular
- When: 1pm-4pm
- Where: Holiday Inn North Longview
- Cost: $10 (Buy Tickets Here!)
“Come shop the best bridal and event vendors in the Ark-La-Tex area!”
Swing Dance Lesson & Social
- When: 6:30pm-7:30pm
- Where: Mangos Dance Music Language Art Studio, Tyler
- Cost: $10
“This a Lindy Hop social dance, a truly American experience! This dance is partnered and danced to swing jazz music. There will be a beginner lesson. No partner required$10/ person. The venue is on the left side of the building and down the ramp. Follow the signs. People with two left feet welcome! If you can walk, you can dance!”
*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 2023 KLTV. All rights reserved.