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, 1/15

Alive After Five

When: 5:30pm-7pm
Where: Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches

Let’s kick off the new year together! Join us for food, beverages by R & K Distributors, Inc., entertainment, and networking!

MLK Weekend - The Grove at Margrill Plaza Dedication Service

When: 6pm
Where: Magrill Park & Plaza, Longview

Tree dedication ceremony to commemorate “The Grove”. The location where freed slaves would have worship service under trees. Union Pacific helped to underwrite funds to install this artwork.

Artist Demo with Jessica Sanders

When: 6:30pm
Where: Tyler Rose Garden Center

Join us for a great evening of Art and catching up with fellow artists and art appreciators! We will have a wonderful and unique presenter Jessica Sanders! Jessica Sanders is a ceramic artist based in Tyler, TX. Her work is made up of ceramic pieces that are wired together to create flexible sculptures.

T.G. Sheppard

When: 7pm
Where: The Pines Lufkin

Enjoy an incredible night of classic country hits, smooth vocals, and legendary stories from one of country music’s most beloved hitmakers, right here in historic Downtown Lufkin. Whether you’re a longtime patron or a first-time guest, you can expect top-tier talent, welcoming staff, and a shared love of the arts.

FRIDAY, 1/16

Teen Dungeons & Dragons

When: 4:30pm
Where: Palestine Public Library

Join a team of heroes, fight monsters, and shape your own epic story in Dungeons & Dragons. A game where your imagination is the most powerful weapon. No experience needed!

Guided Paint & Sip

When: 6:30pm
Where: The Madhatter Distillery, Nacogdoches

Paint along with us or on your own while sipping craft cocktails1 All painting supplies included in ticket price.

Tyler Swing Thing

When: 7:30pm
Where: Good Vibes Nutrition Cafe & More, Tyler

Beginner lesson 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Social dancing until 10:00 pm. $8

Lara Betiz - Comedy Show

When: 7pm | 9pm
Where: Rose City Comedy, Tyler

Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Lara Beitz is a star in the Los Angeles comedy scene. Her stand-up has been featured on Showtime, Comedy Central, and The Late Late Show with James Corden. On Comedy Central’s Lights Out with David Spade, she was the first comedian ever to do stand-up. Following that performance, she was made a regular panelist on the show. After being named a New Face at the 2022 Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, she was asked to appear in their Best of The Fest TV special, which was then made available on AppleTV+ and Crave in Canada. Lara can also be seen in Showtime’s Comedy Store docuseries.

SATURDAY, 1/17

21st Annual Ice Bowl Disc Golf Tournament

When: 9am
Where: Lindsay Park Tyler Tx

Benefitting the East Texas Food Bank and the Parks Dept. Over the last 20 years, the Tyler Parks and Rec Ice Bowl has raised funds for more than 204,000 meals which doesn’t include the meals provided through the canned food items collected at the event. Last year we had 750 lbs. of food. We are going for 1,000+ pounds this year! Register Today at:https://app.amilia.com/store/en/Tyler/api/Activity/Detail...

Free Try Lacrosse Clinic

When: 9am
Where: Cain Center & Cain Park, Athens

We will be at the tennis courts @ 935 W. Maryland Drive (on Google) Athens, TX.

Nacogdoches Farmers Market

When: 9am-12pm
Where: 107 Pearl St, Nacogdoches, TX, United States, Texas 75961

Our special Market Sprouts featuring youth vendors selling their own handmade items & baked goods. Come support our young entrepreneurs as well as all your usual favorite market vendors! Every third Saturday of the month during our regular farmers market.

Dolly Parton’s Birthday

When: 9am-3pm
Where: Laurel & Pearl Bakery, Tyler

Dolly is turning 80 and Laurel & Pearl is celebrating in true rhinestone style! Join us Saturday, January 17th from 9-3. We’ll be featuring blingy cake and macarons, sparkly mocktails (Rhinestone Fizz anyone?), our fabulous Dolly swag, and nonstop Dolly hits all day long! Think big hair energy, a little glamour, and a whole lot of fun as we toast 80 years of the queen of rhinestones herself. Come cute. Come glam. Come ready to celebrate Dolly.

Local Vendor Market

When: 9am-5pm
Where: Stillwater RV Resort, Winona

Join us for a BIG day of shopping, supporting small businesses, and community fun at the Local Vendor Market hosted at the beautiful Stillwater RV Resort in Winona, Texas!

Dig Deb’s Pop Up

When: 9am-7pm
Where: Tickled Pink Bakery, Lufkin

Tickled Pink Bakery is hosting another Pop Up event soon! All the desserts featured in “Big Deb’s” Pop Up will be inspired by ✨Little Debbie Snack Cakes ✨ I will have treats like Cosmic Brownies, Nutty Buddy Cake, and Star Crunch! 🤩

Barks ‘N’ Rec

When: 10am
Where: Tyler State Park

Wagging tails and winding trails! Add a new member to the pack. Join a ranger and a rescue from SPCA for an easy 1mi hike around Blackjack Interpretive Loop and maybe even adopt a fur baby! Registration and waivers are required to hike with a dog.

January Market

When: 10am
Where: Rise & Shine Hills LLC, Hallsville

Join us for our first Third Saturday market at the farm! We will have a great selection of local vendors, our farm products you’ve grown to know and love, and our food and drinks that are quickly becoming famous in the East Texas area. We will also have our animal farm open and our farm tours going every 30 minutes. Our market will be from 10-4pm and we can’t wait to see you.

Sensory Experience

When: 10am-12pm
Where: South Spring Baptist Church, Tyler

Join us for a morning of sensory fun designed for foster, adoptive and kinship families! Explore our sensory rooms together and discover creative, practical ways to incorporate sensory input into your child’s daily routine. You’ll leave with meaningful takeaways and plenty of ideas to use at home.

HERPS Longview Exotic Reptile & Pet Expo

When: 10am-5pm
Where: Longview Exhibit Center

Join us January 17th and 18th in Longview, TX for the HERPS East Texas reptile and exotic pet show. Thousands of reptiles, amphibians, feeders, invertebrates, supplies, and more will be available to purchase in this two day event. See and meet some of the top breeders from all over the country. We will have an educational section for the kids and adults that will let you get up close and personal with some of the most exotic animals on the planet. Food trucks will be set up both days, so plan your entire weekend around it! Show and sale open to the public!

Book Sale & Vendor Show Fundraiser

When: 10am-6pm
Where: Lions Community Center, Marshall

All proceeds from book sale will help us kickstart our bookstore we are opening in Downtown Marshall! Vendor market! We will have 15 local small businesses also present selling THEIR items!

Brick Builders!

When: 11am
Where: Kurth Memorial Library, Lufkin

Unleash your creativity and watch your wildest ideas spring to life!

Tiles & Tastings @ Enoch’s Stomp

When: 11am-3pm
Where: Enoch’s Stomp Vineyard & Winery, Harleton

Tiles & Tastings is the perfect blend of mahjong and wine. Join us for a relaxed afternoon of play paired with curated wine tastings at Enoch’s Stomp. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just love great wine and good company, this event is designed for fun, connection, and a little friendly competition.

Sip, Stretch & Shine Yoga

When: 12pm-1pm
Where: Mix It Up Nutrition, Athens

Our first yoga class was such a beautiful experience that we couldn’t wait to do it again! Join us for yoga at Mix it Up Nutrition. Whether this is your first time on the mat or you’ve been practicing for years, this class is designed to meet you where you are. Come move, breathe. stretch, and enjoy some peaceful time for yourself followed by a little community connection afterword.

Munch & Learn

When: 1pm
Where: Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, Alto

Bring your love of history and your curiosity to “Munch and Learn” about the wild edible plants at Caddo Mounds SHS. During these plant walks you will join Assistant Site Manager, Rachel Galan as she shares the origin stories of the spring edible and medicinal plants of Caddo Mounds SHS.

Pokémon Open Play & Trading Event!

When: 1pm-4pm
Where: Hyperfocus Games + Etc, Sulphur Springs

Got some cards to trade? Want to battle with friends or just hang out with fellow Pokémon fans? Come join us for a casual afternoon of Pokémon fun! This will be an open play and trading event — a great chance to meet other trainers, show off your decks, and swap cards. All ages and skill levels are welcome! Experienced players can jump right into battles and trading.

Art in the Park

When: 2pm
Where: Lake Tawakoni State Park, Wills Point

Try your hand at some abstract art! Use a combination of paper, glue, and markers to create your own representation of the park or some of the wildlife found within it!

Kimura Seminar

When: 2pm-4pm
Where: 15240 SH-110 Suite D, Whitehouse, TX

Come join us at Jungle Cat Jiu-Jitsu to learn Kimura entries and finishing techniques the from Owner and Black Belt Jeremy Corbin.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

When: 2pm | 7pm
Where: UT Tyler Braithwaite Recital Hall

Join the Stage Notes Academy of Performing Arts and the UT Tyler School of Performing Arts for this musical masterpiece based off of the Victor Hugo novel and Disney film!

Herb Blending Workshop

When: 5pm
Where: Euphoria Botanicals, Kilgore

Join us for an Intention-Based Herb Blending Experience. Spend the evening creating a custom herb blend with intention and guidance. Spots are limited!

Fever Presents: Candlelight

When: 6:30pm
Where: Liberty Hall, Tyler

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Tyler. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Adele at Liberty Hall under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Keith Daniel’s Psycho Swamp Stomp Band

When: 7pm
Where: Ki Mexico ETX & Greenside, Longview

Keith Daniel’s Psycho Swamp Stomp Band - Wisconsin’s Wildest One-Man Show!Keith is a one-man dynamo: Forget anything you know about “one-man bands.” This is a one-man, voodoo-grunge, blues-rock spectacle! Keith loops, stomps, and conjures the kind of music you’d find on a haunted Delta highway— Ghostly voodoo-infused beats, haunting blues guitar fury, and a stage full of wild props light up the night, with “Deadly Nightshade,” “Snake Eyes,” and a heap of madcap musical storytelling. The crowd ate it up—shuffling, grooving, and howling right along.

Lara Betiz - Comedy Show

When: 7pm | 9pm
Where: Rose City Comedy, Tyler

T.G. Sheppard

When: 7:30pm
Where: Memorial City Hall Performance Center, Marshall

Country music legend T.G. Sheppard has racked up an incredible 21 No. 1 hits and is ranked among the Top 100 country artists of all time. Known for timeless chart-toppers like “Last Cheater’s Waltz,” “I Loved ’Em Every One,” “Do You Wanna Go to Heaven,” and “Party Time,” Sheppard remains a beloved icon of classic country. Sponsored by Smith Entertainment

Professional Wrestling - Point Break

When: 7:30pm
Where: League of Lions Wrestling, Marshall

Proudly serving Marshall since 2013!Award winning professional wrestling, League of Lions proudly presents Point Break. Come out and enjoy one of the best pro wrestling shows in Texas. Complete with a fully stocked concession stand and pick up some merchandise from your favorite wrestler. BYOB. Coolers welcome, NO GLASS BOTTLES

SUNDAY, 1/18

Dig Deb’s Pop Up

When: 9am-7pm
Where: Tickled Pink Bakery, Lufkin

HERPS Longview Exotic Reptile & Pet Expo

When: 10am-4pm
Where: Longview Exhibit Center

Book Sale & Vendor Show Fundraiser

When: 10am-6pm
Where: Lions Community Center, Marshall

All proceeds from book sale will help us kickstart our bookstore we are opening in Downtown Marshall! Vendor market! We will have 15 local small businesses also present selling THEIR items!

Make & Take

When: 3pm
Where: Plum Crazy Vendor Mall, Lufkin

At Plum Crazy Vendor Mall. Valentine’s T-Shirt Edition.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

When: 4pm
Where: UT Tyler Braithwaite Recital Hall

Join the Stage Notes Academy of Performing Arts and the UT Tyler School of Performing Arts for this musical masterpiece based off of the Victor Hugo novel and Disney film!

*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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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.

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