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, 7/3

First Monday Trade Days

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

Explore the World’s Largest Outdoor Flea Market during our July show from 7/3 - 7/6! 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.

Nacogdoches Summer Scavenger Hunt 2025

When: 10am-4pm
Where: Nac Historic Sites, Nacogdoches

Nacogdoches Summer Scavenger Hunt is a collaborative event between the historic and cultural arts sites of Nacogdoches to encourage visitors to explore Nacogdoches and for residents to be tourists in their town! Pick up a printed scavenger hunt at any of the participating locations. Take your scavenger hunt to each site and answer the questions listed. At your last stop, leave your scavenger hunt with the site (make sure you fill out your contact information).Each completed scavenger hunt will be entered into a drawing to win a prize gift basket with items graciously donated by each site. (Thursday-Sunday)

Texas Shakespeare Festival

When: Varies
Where: Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center, Kilgore

Thursday Shows: “Kiss Me, Kate” (2pm) | “Twelfth Night” (7:30pm) Learn more about each show here.

Light the Night

When: 7pm
Where: Rose Heights Church - Lindale

Join us July 3rd at the Lindale campus for our annual Light the Night celebration! Parking opens at 6:30 PM and festivities begin at 7 PM. This is a night for the entire community to get together, enjoy a night of food (available for purchase), inflatables, and free family fun – ending with a spectacular fireworks show! Don’t forget a chair or blanket to enjoy the night. Parking will close at 9 PM, so come early!

Comedy at the Cherokee

When: 7:30pm
Where: Cherokee Civic Theatre, Rusk

On Thursday July 3rd, the Cherokee Civic Theatre will be hosting “Comedy at the Cherokee” featuring standup comedians doing Clean Comedy routines appropriate for the entire family!

FRIDAY, 7/4

First Monday Trade Days

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

Bang on the Range

When: 8:30am-5pm
Where: Armed Texans, Mineola

Come make a bang at the range, take videos and make memories. Happy 4th of July and we will see you on the range. You can shoot the Barrett .50 Cal also for $50, plus ammo cost. We will also have a drawing where you can choose an item of your choice from our sale items. Your receipt will be your drawing entry. Winners will be contacted at 4:30 pm on 7/4. You do not need to be present to win.

Weekly Craft: Paper Sparkler

When: 10am-3pm
Where: Curious Museum, Palestine

This weekend at the Curious Museum, Paper Sparkler! The kids can use their creative abilities to create expressive cardboard people. Curious exhibits encourage kids to explore science concepts through the lens of art and creativity. Weekly crafts are complimentary with admission, and kids can take them home to keep.

Texas Shakespeare Festival

When: Varies
Where: Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center, Kilgore

Friday Shows: “Steel Magnolias” (2pm) | “Macbeth” (7:30pm) Learn more about each show here.

FREEDOMFEST

When: 5:30pm
Where: 507 S. Pecan, Nacogdoches

Get ready because The Freedom Festival is BACK — and it’s bigger and better than ever! Family fun. Games & activities. Food trucks. Live entertainment. Fireworks you won’t forget.

* Discover even more firework shows, here! *

All-star Weekend Comedy Show

When: 7:30pm
Where: Rose City Comedy, Tyler

Forget the fireworks — these are the real fire starters. Tyler Elliott, Jason McAdam, PJ Dullard, Jared Jordan, and Jason Rennebu have been with Rose City Comedy since day one. They’ve weathered the weird open mics, packed-out nights, and everything in between. This 4th of July weekend, while everyone else is burning hot dogs, we’re lighting up the stage with the comics who helped build this place from the ground up. No egos. No fluff. Just the best of the best doing what they do best.

SATURDAY, 7/5

First Monday Trade Days

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

Tyler Pokémon League

When: 7am-10am
Where: Game Crave, Tyler

Pokémon League is a fun and accessible way for Pokémon fans to get together and have some fun! League events are open to all Pokémon TCG players regardless of experience level or skill. Using your own cards, you can play, trade, and even earn cool prizes! The best part is that you can do all this with other Pokémon players who love collecting and playing just as much as you do.

Around the Block Walking Tour

When: 9am-9:45am
Where: Starr Family Home State Historic Site, Marshall

Join us for a brand-new walking tour that explores the vibrant community surrounding Starr Family Home State Historic Site. this tour highlights how neighborhoods once formed tight-knit communities within the city-revealing that the Starrs were not alone in their corner of town.

Barks & Rec Day

When: 9am-11am
Where: 303 Ray St, Marshall

Bring your furry pals for a fun morning at Bath-Miller Park, located at 303 Ray St. This will be a morning for you and your best friend to join in a small Pooch Parade, capture a commemorative photo, and receive useful information from various organizations. The Patriotic Pooch Parade will start at 10:00 am, and you must pre-register to participate. Use the QR code on the flyer or get tickets on the Facebook event.

Athens Farmers Market

When: 9am-12pm
Where: 110 Tyler St, Athens

We are located downtown off the main square.

* Discover even more farmers markets, here! *

Warbird Expo

When: 9am-3pm
Where: Tyler-Pounds Municipal Airport

On Saturday July 5th for one day only the Warbird Expo at Tyler Texas offers aviation fun for the whole family at Tyler-Pounds Municipal Airport! An array of contemporary aircraft and vintage warbirds will be offering cockpit tours and Living History flights, so get ready to be up close and personal with the aircraft and their crews! For the ultimate warbird experience, book a flight on one of the classic planes – prices start as low as $150.

Local Vendors Market

When: 9am-5pm
Where: Henderson Civic Center

We will have vendors set up in both the parking lot AND the inside of the civic center.

DIY Aged French Pot

When: 10am-12pm
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.

The Market Place on MLK

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

The Marketplace on MLK is a vibrant hub situated within the Empowerment CDC Complex in the North Tyler Historical District. This area is rich in cultural heritage and serves as a cornerstone for the community, highlighting the significant contributions of African Americans to the region’s history and cultural landscape. It’s home to the Texas African American Museum, which offers visitors a deep dive into the historical narratives and achievements of African Americans in Texas. Additionally, the Veretta and Jesse E. Rider Fine and Performing Arts Centre provides a venue for artistic expression and cultural events, nurturing local talent and offering diverse performances. Together, these institutions foster a sense of community pride and cultural appreciation, making the Marketplace on MLK a key destination for both residents and visitors interested in exploring the rich tapestry of African American history and arts in Texas.

Weekly Craft: Paper Sparkler

When: 10am-3pm
Where: Curious Museum, Palestine

Treasures on Canvas

When: 10am-4pm
Where: Goodman-LeGrand House, Tyler

3rd Annual Art Exhibition featuring artwork inspired by the house & grounds at the Goodman-LeGrand Museum. Artists are welcome to come in for inspiration, create their artwork and submit it by June 28 to be included in the exhibition.

DIY Stenciled Linens

When: 1pm-3pm
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.

Texas Shakespeare Festival

When: Varies
Where: Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center, Kilgore

Saturday Shows: “Kiss Me, Kate” (2pm) | “Twelfth Night” (7:30pm) Learn more about each show here.

Gaslands

When: 2pm
Where: Geektopia, Kilgore

DnD meets Mad Max, this game is suitable for all ages (depending on the game runner’s rules and created scenario). All it takes is a car game piece (Hot Wheels, Matchbox, or Micro Machines, etc. will do, or you can get extra-creative!), dice, and pen-and-paper to get started. There’s no cost to participate and all ages welcome; bring your own car or purchase one at Geektopia and have our Gas Masters teach you to modify it. We also have a limited selection of pre-made cars to borrow or purchase.

Weather Day

When: 2pm-3pm
Where: Tyler State Park

Let’s learn about our weather patterns the best way possible is making our own storm! We are going to be making our very own tornado to take home!

Adult D&D Club

When: 2pm-3:30pm
Where: Tyler Public Library

Adult D&D club at the Library! Come join the campaign, all levels welcome!

RC Car Championship Series

When: 2pm-10pm
Where: Piney Woods Raceway, Quitman

RACING STARTS AT 5PM!

Bigshot Coffeehouse: Poetry Night

When: 4pm-5:30pm
Where: Big Shot Coffee House, Tyler

An evening for words and melodies! Poets and writers, bring your work to share with our welcoming community. Tommi Jo, The Booknook Fairy, will provide musical interludes. We’ll also engage in collaborative group poetry writing. Enjoy Bigshot’s excellent coffee, refreshing shakes, and matcha in a creative atmosphere!

Saturday Wine Tastings

When: 4pm-8pm
Where: Five Trees Winery, Kilgore

Looking for some wine or traveling around already tasting? Be sure to stop by Five Trees Winery in Kilgore!

Lufkin’s Summer in the City 2025

When: 7pm-9pm
Where: S Cotton Sq, Lufkin

Get ready, Lufkin! Summer in the City 2025 is an exciting, family-friendly event series happening every Saturday from May 31st to August 9th at Cotton Square Park in Downtown Lufkin! From live concerts and outdoor movie nights to interactive art experiences and family game nights, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a music lover, a movie buff, or just looking for a fun night out with family and friends, Summer in the City is the place to be! Best of all—most events are FREE!

All-star Weekend Comedy Show

When: 7:30pm
Where: Rose City Comedy, Tyler

SUNDAY, 7/6

First Monday Trade Days

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

Weekly Craft: Paper Sparkler

When: 10am-3pm
Where: Curious Museum, Palestine

Texas Shakespeare Festival

When: Varies
Where: Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center, Kilgore

Sunday Shows: “Steel Magnolias” (2pm) | “Macbeth” (7:30pm) Learn more about each show here.

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

LOOKING FOR MORE?

Our mission at The East Texas Weekend is to show you that you’re never too far from FUN!

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

Live Music - Each month we show you where all the East Texas concerts are.

Food + Drink - Try some of these wonderful places to eat!

*Download our App on Apple & Google!

Events Around East Texas This Weekend!

THURSDAY, 7/3

FRIDAY, 7/4

*** Discover even more firework shows, here! ***

SATURDAY, 7/5

*** Discover even more farmers markets, here! ***

SUNDAY, 7/6

LOOKING FOR MORE?

* Discover even more firework shows, here! *

* Discover even more farmers markets, here! *