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, 2/26

First Monday Trade Days

When: Sunup to Sundown
Where: 800 1st Monday Ln, Canton, TX, United States, Texas 75103

Kick off Spring shopping at the world’s largest outdoor flea market — happening February 26–March 1!Hunting for spring décor, unique furniture, boutique clothing, handmade goods, plants, or your favorite fair foods?

Shadow Days

When: 8:30am-3pm
Where: The Brook Hill School, Bullard

Live a day in the life of The Guard—joining classes, experiencing campus life, connecting with peers, and seeing the difference of learning in a Christ-centered, college-prep environment. With opportunities to engage in academics, arts, athletics, and student life, your child will see firsthand how Brook Hill inspires confidence and potential at every step

Wensleydale Paper Piecing Class

When: 9:30am-4pm
Where: Running Doe Quilts, Tyler

This class will fill fast! Join Lucinda as she teaches paper piecing with the Wensleydale Quilt by Jen Kingwell. She has some really cool tips & tricks you are going to love!

Cooking in the Kitchen

When: 10am-2pm
Where: Starr Family Home State Historic Site, Marshall

Step back in time and see our historic kitchen in action! We’ll be cooking on the woodburning stove throughout the day, offering a glimpse into how meals were prepared in the past. Drop in anytime to watch and experience a bit of living history.

From Tyler to the Trenches

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

“From Tyler to the Trenches: Stories and Souvenirs of Company C, 133rd Machine Gun Battalion,” these artifacts belonging to men from Smith Co. and the Tyler area will be on exhibit at the Goodman-LeGrand Museum.

Filmmaker Mixer

When: 6pm
Where: Liberty Hall, Tyler

Filmmakers of all experience are welcomed to join Tyler Film Fest and East Texas Film Society to meet the local film community members. Come and go as you please, TFF and ETXFS will be sharing some information about the upcoming 48-Hour Film Fest and ETXFS events for the year.

FRIDAY, 2/27

First Monday Trade Days

When: Sunup to Sundown
Where: 800 1st Monday Ln, Canton, TX, United States, Texas 75103

From Tyler to the Trenches

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

Art in the Park

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

Let’s find the beauty in nature We are going to stroll through the trails, learn about nature, and try to recreate nature’s beauty. Art supplies are limited.

Vintage Cake Decorating

When: 6:30pm
Where: Flourish Nonprofits, Tyler

If you missed our first #vintagecakedecorating workshop with Olivia from @blackvelvetbakerytyler we’ve got another one for you on Friday, February 27, at @flourishnonprofits, from 6:30PM – 9:30PM Learn how to decorate for spring on a square trinket box– keep your bird seed inside to make everyone think you’re #Cinderella when the birds and bunnies come to your side!

“Raise Your Head Up” Screening

When: 7pm
Where: 324 N Lanana St, Nacogdoches, TX 75961-5060, United States

A documentary by Richard Orton uncovering the history, resilience, and legacy of East Texas freedom colonies. Raise Your Head Up is an eight-year documentary project that traces the history and legacy of freedom colonies in East Texas—communities established by formerly enslaved African Americans after Emancipation. The film began with Richard Orton’s first visit in 1988 to the freedom colony of County Line in northwest Nacogdoches County and grew through decades of relationships with descendants from several freedom colonies, revealing stories of resilience, self-determination, and community building.

SATURDAY, 2/28

First Monday Trade Days

When: Sunup to Sundown
Where: 800 1st Monday Ln, Canton, TX, United States, Texas 75103

Longview 5K

When: 8am
Where: 1016 McCann Rd, Longview, TX 75601-5147, United States

The Longview 5K is part of the City of Longview’s Healthy Initiative and is organized by Texas Outlaw Running Company, organizers of more than 100 professional events serving thousands of runners nationwide. This isn’t your ordinary 5K. It’s a point-to-point race where runners park at the finish line, then are shuttled via bus to the start. From there, you’ll run the full, exact 5K course back to the finish line where you parked. The race is chip-timed, packed with great swag, features multiple award categories, and ends with vendors and food trucks waiting at the finish line.

Pilates & Praise

When: 8am-10am
Where: Forged Fit, Athens

Get ready to have an amazing morning with Power, Praise, Pilates and great fellowship. Class starts at 8am and ends at 9am with fellowship, prayer, shopping, and refreshments after. Each class slot comes with a Glow drink. Make sure to bring a yoga mat but we will have some for purchase at class. This is a mommy friendly zone so if you are a mom with an infant who can be in a stroller next to you or in a baby sling you are more than welcome to bring your bundles of joy. Class slots are only $15. We are hoping to see you all there!!

Equestrian Drill Team Competition

When: 8am-6pm
Where: Nacogdoches County Exposition & Civic Center

Drill in the Pines is an Equestrian Drill Team event that brings the challenge of great horsemanship with teams of riders, in fabulous costumes, doing intricate maneuvers choreographed to music. Bring your team to compete, or just come on out for a day of entertainment. Admission is free for spectators, and there will be concessions

Backyard Blueprint

When: 8:30am
Where: 720 N 6th St, Longview, TX 75601-6624, United States

Spend the morning with fellow gardening enthusiasts! Enjoy: Door Prizes * Raffles * Vendors * Refreshments

2026 Season Opening Day

When: 9am
Where: Texas Zoofari Park, Kaufman

It’s that time again! The Texas Zoofari Park is kicking off our 2026 Season, and we’re ready for another year of smiles, surprises, and amazing animal moments. Bring your friends, bring the family, and come celebrate the start of a wild new season with us!

31st Annual East Texas Archaeology Conference

When: 9am
Where: University of Texas at Tyler

You’re invited to the 31st East Texas Archaeological Conference, taking place on February 28, 2026, at the University of Texas at Tyler. Hosted annually, the conference brings together researchers, students, professionals, and community members who share an interest in the archaeology and cultural heritage of East Texas.

Veggie Gardening 101

When: 9am-11am
Where: Plants Of Texas

Join the Smith County Master Gardeners on Saturday, February 28 at 9 AM for a full course on starting and caring for a vegetable garden. Discover Texas A&M AgriLife-approved tips, including: -What to plant and when -How to read and use fertilizer labels -Efficient watering techniques -Other Earth-Kind plant care practices

Fly Fishing Class

When: 9am-2pm
Where: Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, Athens

Join us for a beginners fly fishing class - no experience required. Master fly-fisher Bob Cappallo will focus on equipment, equipment selection, basic knot tying, casting and casting fundamentals. The class is 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. 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.

Homestead Heritage Market

When: 9am-5pm
Where: Circle M Crawfish - Big Sandy, TX

Step back into the charm of old-fashioned community trade as we bring Big Sandy a full-scale Homestead & Heritage Market like no other! Join us for a full day of handcrafted goods, traditional skills, homestead products, and heritage-inspired creations. From makers and growers to artisans and bakers, this market will be filled with the timeless spirit of craftsmanship, vendors, and community fun.

Gardening Workshop

When: 10am
Where: Jefferson Makers Market

Stop wondering why you are putting in all the work, effort and money into your garden only to be disappointed because it’s not working. Jefferson Makers Market has a series of 3 great different gardening workshops to make your garden successful scheduled. Carole West has written and published a book on how to garden successfully in our region and she extremely knowledgeable on that very subject and would love to share her enthusiasm with you

Spring Vegetable Gardening

When: 10am
Where: Bob Wells Nursery at Sorelle Farms, Mineola

Get your garden growing food this spring! This beginner-friendly class is designed for east Texas gardeners and covers everything you need to know to successfully grow vegetables in our unique climate. Learn when to plant, what veggies thrive in our east Texas soil, and how to work with unpredictable spring weather.

Grand Re-opening of Brookshires

When: 10am
Where: 706 W Main St, Van, TX 75790-2894, United States

Be one of the first 101 shoppers that spend $25 or more in a single transaction at our remodeled Van, TX location to receive a gift card valued up to $100!

From Tyler to the Trenches

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

Groovy Gals Sip + Paint/Mixed Media Canvas Party

When: 12pm-4pm
Where: 406 N Prairieville Street, Athens, TX, United States, Texas 75751

Grab your friends and join us for a Groovy Gals Sip + Create Saturday at The Craft Collective! This is NOT your typical paint class — you’ll be creating a bold mixed media canvas using paint, collage, texture, and fun embellishments to create a personality-filled piece of art representing you and your groovy side! Choose your groovy muse design and customize it with your own colors, style, and flair.

Nature Protectors

When: 1pm
Where: Nacogdoches Public Library

“Meet a Ranger from Mission Tejas State Park for a special storytime and hands-on planting activity! Explore nature, growth, and how we can care for the world around us. All ages are welcome.”

Bringing Butterflies into your Backyard

When: 2pm
Where: Tyler Public Library

Geared for kids in K-12, on Feb. 28 at 2 p.m., learn from Master Gardener Elizabeth Waldrop about how to bring butterflies into your backyard! Sign up athttps://www.signupgenius.com/.../20F084BABAA2CA5F94...to attend. This program will meet in the auditorium on the first floor.

Pond Dipping

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

As winter comes to a close the water starts to come back to life. From dragonfly nymphs to minnows, you never know what we will find!

Lei Making Workshop

When: 5pm-7pm
Where: Rooted: ETX Local Goods + Market, Murchison

ROOTED is hosting Leolana’s Lei Stand in house for an evening of crafting— Island Style!! Leolana’s Lei Stand No Ka Oi. WHAT YOU NEED:• BE PROFICIENT IN CHAIN, SINGLE CROCHET AND, SLIP STITCH• SIZE G OR 4.0MM HOOK• TRIMMING SCISSORS

Live & Loud

When: 6pm
Where: 1401 W Cotton St, Longview, TX

Five great bands from surrounding areas! • Loud crowds • Pure, unapologetic energy.

TAAM Black History Month Celebration

When: 6pm-9pm
Where: Texas African American Museum, Tyler

This year’s banquet will honor James and Florence Anderson with the Anderson Academic Excellence and Integrity Award 2026, in recognition of their 60 years of marriage, lifelong commitment, and outstanding contributions to our community since August 29, 1965. In addition, we are proud to present the prestigious Veretta and Jesse E. Rider Stella Clarion Call Award to Debra Kay Hammons, acknowledging her remarkable leadership, dedication, and service in empowering others through faith, education, and community advancement.

Shrink-a-Dinks & Drinks

When: 6:30pm-9:30pm
Where: Flourish Nonprofits, Tyler

We are so excited to be partnering with Dashown from That Girl... (at the bar) for our first-ever mixology workshop, complete with shrink-a-dink drink charm crafts! Join us for this all-inclusive workshop and learn how to make two cocktails and one mocktail. Plus, take home your own mixer* and drink charms!! It’s sure to be a night of Valentine’s potions and love spells. Register today, seats are limited! This is a 21+ workshop only.

Unwound - George Straight Tribute Band

When: 7pm
Where: The Texan, 209 E Tyler St, Athens, Texas

Unwound: A Tribute to George Strait, is coming BACK to The Texan in Athens on Saturday, February 28th! Wear your best dancing boots and prepare to sing and dance the night away! This popular DFW band will be playing George’s hits along with covers of a few outlaw country artists. This is a full production and professional band that will bring you the sounds of the King of Country Music with a steel guitar, keyboard and fiddle player. Get ready for a fun night full of great music and dancing! Doors will open at 6:00pm, and the band plays from 7:00-9:00pm. Tickets are $25-30 (plus credit card fee) and can be purchased online or at the door with cash or card.

“Oklahoma!”

When: 7pm
Where: Temple Theater, Lufkin

FEBRUARY 26, 27, AND 28 (THURSDAY–SATURDAY) | 7 PM | TEMPLE THEATER. FREE EVENT. Oklahoma! is a groundbreaking musical about cowboy Curly and farm girl Laurey’s romance in the Oklahoma Territory just before statehood. Set against the backdrop of the classic west and driven by the rivalry between farmers and cowboys, this show has become a landmark in the American musical canon and features the combined talents of our theater and music students. Music by Richard Rodgers, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.

Head-to-Head Comedy Improv Battle

When: 7pm-9pm
Where: Stage Notes Academy of Performing Arts, Athens

Get ready for a night of nonstop laughs as two troupes from the same theatre face off in a high-energy Head-to-Head Comedy Improv Battle! On one side: Teen Troupe #0416 — bold, fast, and fearless. On the other: The Stage Notes Players — seasoned, sharp, and ready for anything. Same stage. Same rules. Different generations. Watch as scenes are created on the spot, fueled by your suggestions, unexpected twists, and a whole lot of friendly rivalry. Will Teen Troupe #0416’s fresh energy steal the show, or will the Stage Notes Players’ experience and comedic timing reign supreme?

Comedian Jerry Wayne Longmire

When: 7:30pm
Where: Lamp-Lite Theatre, Nacogdoches

Comedian Jerry Wayne Longmire brings his playful brand of storytelling and signature twang reminiscent of an East Texas junkyard upbringing that effortlessly draws in audiences and captivates people worldwide to East Texas’ Live Theatre Venue, Lamp-Lite. Tickets are $20 and are available online.

SUNDAY, 3/1

First Monday Trade Days

When: Sunup to Sundown
Where: 800 1st Monday Ln, Canton, TX, United States, Texas 75103

Townes Van Zandt Tribute

When: 2pm-5pm
Where: The Forge Bar and Grill, Ben Wheeler

Join us Sunday, March 1st for our annual Townes Van Zandt Tribute at The Forge in Ben Wheeler. An afternoon devoted to one of the greatest songwriters to ever come out of Texas, brought to life by some of the finest artists in East Texas. Come celebrate songwriting, raw artistry, and deep-rooted Texas pride.

Dish it Out Trivia & Potluck

When: 5pm-8pm
Where: First Christian Church of Tyler

Join us on the first Sunday of each month for good food, great company, and a little friendly competition! Bring a dish to share—or just bring yourself—and we’ll handle the rest. After dinner, teams will form and the trivia fun begins! Each month’s questions and themes change, but one thing stays the same… we’re always playing for all the marbles! (Yes, there’s an actual jar of marbles waiting for the champions!)

*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.

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

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

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Events Around East Texas This Weekend!

THURSDAY, 2/26

FRIDAY, 2/27

SATURDAY, 2/28

SUNDAY, 3/1

*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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