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!

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

THURSDAY, 5/1

First Monday Trade Days

When: Sunup to sundown
Where: 800 1st Monday Ln, Canton

Explore the World’s Largest Outdoor Flea Market during our May show from 5/1 - 5/4! Seeking home decor, unique furniture, clothing, and an array of delicious food? You’ll find it all here! Join us at First Monday Trade Days in Canton, TX.

Rummage Sale for Angel Layettes

When: 9am-4pm
Where: 10534 FM 2813, Tyler, TX

Come shop till you drop for a great cause! We will have gently used clothes, furniture, appliances, electronics, toys, decorations and more!! All priced to SELL! We hope to see you there!

Star Wars Trivia

When: 7pm
Where: True Vine Brewing Company, Tyler (Earl Campbell Location)

Join us at True Vine Brewing Company on May the 1st at 7 PM for an epic Star Wars Trivia Night that even Yoda would be proud of! Gather your Jedi Council or assemble your Rebel Alliance and put your knowledge of the galaxy far, far away to the test. Whether you’re a Sith Lord or a scrappy Ewok, we want to see you in your best Star Wars gear or costumes. Bonus points for nerding along with us so may the Force be with you as you channel your inner Han Solo or Princess Leia!

The King & I Spring Musical

When: 7pm
Where: The Brook Hill School. Bullard

The Brook Hill School, in collaboration with Lauren and Mason Spradlin, proudly presents the Spring Musical. Location: Soules Center for the Arts, Dement Auditorium & Chapel

FRIDAY, 5/2

First Monday Trade Days

When: Sunup to sundown
Where: 800 1st Monday Ln, Canton

Rummage Sale for Angel Layettes

When: 9am-4pm
Where: 10534 FM 2813, Tyler, TX

Come shop till you drop for a great cause! We will have gently used clothes, furniture, appliances, electronics, toys, decorations and more!! All priced to SELL! We hope to see you there!

Branding Hearts Rodeo

When: 9:30am-2pm
Where: Cross Brand Cowboy Church, Tyler

Ages: Pre-K thru 5th grade. FREE event - Lunch provided. Horseback riding - Petting zoo - Paint a donkey - Games - Prizes. This event is for children with physical, cognitive and/or emotional disabilities. We look forward to providing them with a safe and fun experience just for them.

LINKED by Art Special Exhibit

When: 10am-5pm
Where: Rose City Art Gallery and Gifts, Tyler

Come join us as we celebrate a special show with our LINK students and share in their creativity. Hosted by the Palette of Roses Art League and Rose City Art Gallery.

3rd Annual Children’s Business Fair

When: 3pm
Where: Cafe Ü Coffeehouse & Bistro, Mineola

Come enjoy a fun-filled afternoon as young minds take center stage! Our Children’s Business Fair features dozens of kid-run booths offering baked goods, handmade jewelry, unique crafts, services, and more. It’s a one-day outdoor market with a mission—to support and empower young entrepreneurs. The fun doesn’t stop there! Stick around for Open Mic Night and our legendary Crawfish Boil at 6:30 PM, generously provided by our amazing partners at Café Ü. We are beyond thankful for their support in helping us raise funds for Bizzy Bee Academy and the programs that uplift our homeschool community.

Animal Encounter Weekend

When: 3pm-6pm
Where: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Tyler

Get ready for an unforgettable animal adventure at Jellystone Park™! Meet live animals and participate in awesome animal activities all weekend long! Then, unleash your creativity in our Golf Cart Decorating Contest and take a wild ride in the Safari Parade. Look out for the bears roaming around the park-- they’re ready to join in the fun!

Happy Hour @ the Arboretum

When: 5pm-7pm
Where: East Texas Arboretum, Athens

Looking for a new way to kick off the weekend and enjoy our beautiful gardens? Then grab your friends, family and pup and come out to the East Texas Arboretum for First Friday Happy Hour on Friday, April 4 from 5:00-7:00pm. • All ages welcome• Must be 21 years+ to consume alcohol. • Dogs must be kept on a leash • $10 for two tickets that can be redeemed for beer, wine, or soft drinks

The King & I Spring Musical

When: 7pm
Where: The Brook Hill School. Bullard

The Brook Hill School, in collaboration with Lauren and Mason Spradlin, proudly presents the Spring Musical. Location: Soules Center for the Arts, Dement Auditorium & Chapel

Kiry Shabazz Comedy Show

When: 7pm | 10pm
Where: Rose City Comedy, Tyler

Kiry Shabazz made his late-night debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Since then, his standup has been featured by Don’t Tell Comedy twice, Bill Burr for his series The Ringers, Comedy Central’s Stand Up Featuring series, and Unprotected Sets. Kiry was named New Face of Comedy by the prestigious Just for Laughs festival. 18+ event.

Illumination at Old Oakwood Cemetery

When: 7:30pm
Where: Historic Oakwood Cemetery, Jefferson

Illumination at Oakwood Cemetery is a self-guided walking tour that pays homage to the hundreds of Confederate and Union veterans buried in this hallowed ground with candles illuminating their graves. Enjoy a quiet evening stroll among the live oaks, magnolias and beautiful monuments within the cemetery. This event is free and open to the public.

SATURDAY, 5/3

First Monday Trade Days

When: Sunup to sundown
Where: 800 1st Monday Ln, Canton

Troup Farmers Market

When: 9am-1pm
Where: 102 E Paschal St, Troup, TX 75789, 75789

Troup Famers Market Day, come shop at our family-friendly event. We are a community of farmers, bakers, and makers. The Market will be open every 3rd Saturday of each month and March through October the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month.

Upshur County Library’s 3rd Spring Craft Fair

When: 9am-3pm
Where: 702 W Tyler St, Gilmer

We’ll have vendors, a food truck, face painting, a photographer, and more!It’s going to be on the last day of our semi-annual book sale. Make sure to stop by and get your mom the perfect Mother’s Day gift while supporting your library and local vendors!

Rummage Sale for Angel Layettes

When: 9am-4pm
Where: 10534 FM 2813, Tyler, TX

Come shop till you drop for a great cause! We will have gently used clothes, furniture, appliances, electronics, toys, decorations and more!! All priced to SELL! We hope to see you there!

Local Vendor Market

When: 9am-5pm
Where: 800 S Cotton St Big Sandy

Join us on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, from 9 am to 5 pm at Circle M Crawfish in Big Sandy, Texas, for an exciting event you won’t want to miss! We have a goal of 150+ vendors showcasing a variety of products, so there’s something for everyone. Live music by the great Jonathon Allen! We will also have the All Wheels Welcome : LVM Car/Truck/SUV Show! Come check out the latest deals, enjoy some great finds, and meet fellow community members. See you there!

ETX Market Spring 2025

When: 10am
Where: 222 E Tyler St, Longview

A market for ALL with the best local makers, artists, vintage + food in the #etx!!

Historic Herbs Hike

When: 10am
Where: Mission Tejas State Park, Grapeland

Come on a foraging hike with the park interpreter to explore the many uses of local plants!The forest is full of plants that have sustained local peoples for centuries! Everything from medicine to furniture and food can be found out here!Come discover how plants were used to treat headaches, learn how to identify harmful plants and maybe even pick dewberries!

Free Comic Book Day

When: 10am-3pm
Where: Ground Zero Comics, Tyler

On Saturday, May 3rd from 10am until 3pm Ground Zero will host its’ 24th Free Comic Book Day event (although admittedly 2020 was weird). As usual, there is a limit of three (3) titles per customers, distributed on a “first come, first served” basis. These titles are limited to stock on hand – when they’re gone, they’re gone. We cannot hold or reserve titles, so get here early.

East Texas Small Business Expo 2025

When: 10am-3pm
Where: 309 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tyler

Join us as we celebrate Small Business Month by giving back to small businesses. This Expo is sponsored by Empowerment Community Development Corporation through its Small and Minority-Owned Businesses Initiative. Empowerment CDC is committed to helping small businesses strive and thrive.

Floral Australia Pop-up

When: 10am-5pm
Where: The Loft, Tyler

Beautiful floral arrangements to purchase. She will also be giving floral arrangement tips and more.

LINKED by Art Special Exhibit

When: 10am-5pm
Where: Rose City Art Gallery and Gifts, Tyler

Come join us as we celebrate a special show with our LINK students and share in their creativity. Hosted by the Palette of Roses Art League and Rose City Art Gallery.

East Texas Boat Show

When: 10am-6pm
Where: The Lake Tyler Marina Resort, Whitehouse

Experience the latest innovations in the industry at Wake Authority’s Annual On-The-Water Boat Show! Our top notch sales team will be available for walkthroughs and demos Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4, from 10AM-6PM! Come by our booth and grab a FREE T-SHIRT and sign up for our raffle! See you there!

Star Wars Weekend

When: 10am-7pm
Where: Bricks & Minifigs, Tyler

So Many New Star Wars Items: We have been saving so many amazing Star Wars used sets, retired new in box sets, minifigures and certified used sets for our Star Wars event! Our collection is not one to miss! Star Wars Minifig Maker: Star Wars figs are taking over the minifig maker table! Saturday and Sunday only, the table will be filled with Star Wars, torsos, legs and other pieces! You can design your own Star Wars characters from what is in the table for $8 per fig - individual pieces will not be sold separately these two days. We have some exciting pieces to put in the table!! Door Prize Drawing: Enter to win a new in box 75362 Ahsoka Tano’s T-6 Jedi Shuttle™! No purchase necessary. Winner will be announced on social media Monday, May 5.

Culture Club Public Art Crawl

When: 10:30am
Where: La Madeleine French Bakery & Café, Tyler

Join us as we explore some of the many creative and beautiful public art and murals in Tyler. We will meet in the parking lot near La Madeleine to start.

Secret Codes of the Underground Railroad

When: 11:15am
Where: The Jeffersonian Institute, Jefferson

The Pleasant Hill Quilters are a quilting group from Linden, Texas who recreate historic quilts and tell the stories of the enslaved people who used secret codes to escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Their presentation of stories and songs will be held on May 3rd, 2025 at 11:15 am following the Jefferson Pilgrimage Parade and Town Skirmish. Admission is $10.00 per person, children 12 and under are free.

Tail Gate Crawfish Boil

When: 1pm-4pm
Where: True Vine Brewing Company, Tyler (Earl Campbell Location)

It’s a Tail Gate Party at True Vine! Your local East Texas LSU Alumni are providing the party & we want you to participate! ALL COLLEGES WELCOME! Show your team spirit at our College Tail Gate Party & let us show you our southern hospitality. Feel free to wear your favorite team colors and join in the fun.

King of the Wings - RC Car Race

When: 2pm
Where: Piney Woods Raceway, Quitman

12 Race Classes. Food on site. $25 per car.

DIY Aged French Pot

When: 2pm-3:30pm
Where: Blue Moon Gardens, Edom

Give old pots a new look using this French painting technique. In class you will paint a 6 inch clay pot and add a stencil of your choice. Complete the look by planting a lavender plant.

Animal Encounter Weekend

When: 3pm-6pm
Where: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Tyler

Art Extravaganza

When: 5pm-7:30pm
Where: The Brook Hill School. Bullard

Join us for the 2nd Annual Art Extravaganza on Friday, May 3rd, from 5:00 to 7:30 P.M. in the Founder’s Student Center. This special evening will showcase student artwork, accompanied by live music performed by The Brook Hill Orchestra. Guests will also enjoy a light hors d’oeuvres reception. Admission is $5 at the door

The King & I Spring Musical

When: 7pm
Where: The Brook Hill School. Bullard

The Brook Hill School, in collaboration with Lauren and Mason Spradlin, proudly presents the Spring Musical. Location: Soules Center for the Arts, Dement Auditorium & Chapel

Kiry Shabazz Comedy Show

When: 7pm | 10pm
Where: Rose City Comedy, Tyler

1899 Bolton Street House Paranormal Overnight Investigation

When: 8pm
Where: 521 South Bolton Street, Jacksonville

Spirit Hunters paranormal 911 would like to invite you to join the team on an overnight investigation at the 1899 Bolton Street House in Jacksonville, Texas. Saturday May 3rd and it’s $50 per person, payable through Zeele or cash app. To make reservations or more information, you can contact me at spirithunters611521@gmail.com

SUNDAY, 5/4

First Monday Trade Days

When: Sunup to sundown
Where: 800 1st Monday Ln, Canton

Old Fashion 5K

When: 6am
Where: Rose Rudman Park, Tyler

We’re excited to bring back our OLD FASHION event for it’s SECOND EDITION. This year, it’ll be even bigger and better! Join us and be a part of the fun! Compete in our 5K, 10K, or our newly added 15K distances! Run hard and earn you 5 INCH OLD FASHION FINISHER MEDAL! Run fast and earn an ADDITIONAL MEDAL! Sign your kiddos up for our BRAND NEW KID’S DASH! This is a short 100-200 meter sprint prior to the start of the race to give our little ones the opportunity to experience the racing environment without the pressure of a seemingly long, endless course. Dashers receive participation shirts, and will have the option to add finisher medal to their registration.

Presentation of Colors

When: 10am
Where: Christ Episcopal Church, Jefferson

This year’s re-enactment of the “Presentation of Colors” marks the 164th anniversary of Fannie Benners’ presentation of a hand-sewn banner to “The Jefferson Guards,” a Confederate unit raised locally in 1861. With troops at attention and roll called, Miss Benners’ presentation is preceded by the reading of her moving letter, then followed by a musket salute from the troops. Coffee, donuts and juice is served afterward in the parish hall.

Star Wars Weekend

When: 12pm-5pm
Where: Bricks & Minifigs, Tyler

East Texas Boat Show

When: 10am-6pm
Where: The Lake Tyler Marina Resort, Whitehouse

Experience the latest innovations in the industry at Wake Authority’s Annual On-The-Water Boat Show! Our top-notch sales team will be available for walkthroughs and demos Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4, from 10AM-6PM! Come by our booth and grab a FREE T-SHIRT and sign up for our raffle! See you there!

Arts + Crafts: Watercolor Dogwood

When: 2pm-4pm
Where: Lottie Bug Farms, Hawkins

Join us for a relaxing afternoon of watercolor painting with Felicia Lilley, Lottie Bug Farms’ resident artist! In this step-by-step workshop, you’ll learn to paint a beautiful dogwood blossom, capturing its delicate petals and soft hues.

Animal Encounter Weekend

When: 3pm-6pm
Where: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Tyler

Star Wars Trivia

When: 4pm
Where: ETX Brewing Co., Tyler

Grab your lightsabers, call your co-pilots, and jump to hyperspace—Star Wars Trivia is landing at ETX Brewing Co.! Whether you’re repping the Light Side or the Dark Side, you’ll need more than midichlorians to conquer this galaxy of questions. It’s time to join the trivia rebellion and bring balance to the scoreboard. Only at ETX Brewing. This IS the way.

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

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Things to Do - Special places to visit and activities to do around East Texas.

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Events Around East Texas This Weekend!

THURSDAY, 5/1

FRIDAY, 5/2

SATURDAY, 5/3

SUNDAY, 5/4

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