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, 3/5

66th Student Invitational

When: 5pm-6:30pm
Where: LMFA - Longview Museum of Fine Arts

LMFA members and guests, students, families and friends are warmly invited to celebrate an inspiring evening of creativity and achievement. For over six decades, the Student Invitational has provided East Texas students a platform to share bold ideas, refined techniques, and deeply personal perspectives through visual art in our galleries. This year’s exhibition features an exciting range of media, including drawing, painting, mixed media, pottery, sculpture, videography, digital art, printmaking, and experimental forms. Highlighting both technical excellence and conceptual depth!

Intro to Herbalism

When: 6pm
Where: Rise & Shine Hills LLC, Hallsville

Discover the healing power hiding in your kitchen, and dive into the world of herbalism using herbs you already know and trust. This introductory herbalism class focuses on seven everyday herbs, their historical uses, and the art of simple remedy-making. You’ll gain foundational herbal knowledge, craft a personalized herbal remedy to take home, and build the confidence to continue curating your own herbal medicine cabinet.

Vitamin String Quartet

When: 7:30pm
Where: UT Tyler Cowan Center

Vitamin String Quartet is one of the most popular string ensembles in the world. Erasing the boundaries between classical, dance, hip-hop and pop, VSQ performs spellbinding renditions of everything from Billie Eilish to BTS, Taylor Swift to The Weeknd, and Elfman to Daft Punk. Praised by the likes of Buzzfeed, The New York Times, Consequence of Sound, Nerdist and more, VSQ has garnered over two billion streams and numerous Billboard chartings since its inception. VSQ can also be heard in numerous hit shows, including Netflix’s Bridgerton, HBO’s Westworld and ABC’s Modern Family.

FRIDAY, 3/6

63rd Annual Charity Horse Show

When: 10am-5pm
Where: Marshall City Arena

Presented by Lions Club International, this beloved East Texas tradition returns March 6–7, 2026, at the Marshall City Arena. As the longest-running horse show in the region, it’s a celebration of horsemanship, community spirit, and charitable giving.

Plant Bingo

When: 6pm
Where: Clementine & Co, Sulphur Springs

We had SO much fun at our last one, and we absolutely can’t wait to do it again. Grab your friends, bring your plant-loving spirit, and come ready for a great time!

Piñatas for Tigers

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

The wonderful thing about tigers, is tigers are a wonderful thing! #recrafttyler is partnering with @tigercreekanimalsanctuary to create enrichment piñatas for their tigers before they #swingintospring on March 14. We know the Venn diagram of crafters and animal lovers is almost a perfect circle, so come join us March 6th or 7th (or both) in helping to create #bigcatenrichment piñatas and to support #tigercreekanimalsanctuary. All materials will be provided along with direction and information from volunteers and members of the Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary staff. 6:30PM - 9:30PM at @flourishnonprofits

The Riff Runners Winter Concert

When: 7pm
Where: Angelina College, Lufkin

Back by popular demand, The Riff Runners light up the stage once again with a crowd-pleasing mix of musical styles. This talented group of local musicians brings the perfect soundtrack to shake off the winter blues. Directed by Dixon Shanks.

“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”

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

This dramatization of C.S. Lewis’ classic work faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch, and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia.

SATURDAY, 3/7

FRESH 15

When: 7am
Where: 6991 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, TX 75703-0579, United States

Mark your calendars - March 7, 2026! 🎉The 13th Annual FRESH 15 is back with the 15K, 5K, and Lil’ FRESHie 1K. All the miles, all the vibes, all starting and finishing at FRESH by Brookshire’s! ✨

Hazelwood Hotrod Car Shows

When: 8am-2pm
Where: North Gate Entrance Vz County Rd 2106, Canton, TX 75103

SWAP MEET AND AWESOME CAR SHOW AND MORE ! Come be apart of a great show! Take in the Lewis Auto Swap Meet and see some amazing rides and meet some awesome people!

2026 Final Showdown Auto Show

When: 8am-2pm
Where: Millennium Plaza, Tyler

This is a Judge Show by Categories with a few other Trophies & Awards by Supporters and 1st Place Smoke Slinger Winner Circle Winner will WIN $5,000 in Prizes. Over 40 Trophies & Awards to be awarded.

Fishing with a New Angle

When: 9am
Where: Mission Tejas State Park, Grapeland

Come to Mission Tejas and learn how to fish while learning about the wildlife that calls our fishing pond home! Ponds are more than the catfish and sunfish we catch for food and sport. Each pond is a neighborhood full of low-key scavengers, peaceful producers and hungry predators that all add to the life of the pond. Come join us at Mission Tejas and get ready to wet a line in the hopes of catching a sunfish or catfish!

Dutch Oven Cooking & Tasting

When: 9am-3pm
Where: Daingerfield State Park

Join the Little Pine Friends of Daingerfield State Park to learn how to cook in a Dutch oven and sample some of their delicious dishes!

49th Annual LeTourneau University Car Show

When: 9am-3pm
Where: 627 Glaske Dr, Longview, TX 75602, United States

Gates open at 9:00 AM for exhibitor check-in, the show runs 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, and awards will be presented at 2:00 PM. Entry is $25 per car, and anyone who registers ahead receives a free event t-shirt. Handmade trophies will be awarded to winners of each class. We’re welcoming sports cars, customs, hot rods, antiques, trucks, JDM, Euro, motorcycles, and more, with all proceeds going to missions.

Poses & Pints

When: 10am
Where: Oil Horse Brewing Company, Longview

Come join us for 1 hr of Yoga follow by pints of beer(and or rooter). Christy will walk us through our class and this is meant for all levels of yogis! $20 a person includes Yoga and a Beer or a Rootbeer! Yoga will take place every month, so follow our pages for updates and schedule!

Patchwork Party

When: 10am
Where: Kurth Memorial Library, Lufkin

Bring your own masterpiece-in-progress. Get a helping hand and chat with fellow fabric enthusiasts!

Raised Bed Gardening

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

Gardening in East Texas can be challenging. Some folks have too much sand, while others have heavy clay. If you’re one of the lucky few blessed with sandy loam, you still have to contend with the 46 inches of rain we receive each year. One solution to all these problems is raised bed gardening! It allows you to control the soil your plants grow in while providing excellent drainage. At this clinic you’ll learn the ins and outs of building and maintaining a raised bed from gardeners that have been using them for years!

Dr. Seuss Celebration Day

When: 10am-12pm
Where: Longview Public Library

Join us in the library Moeschle Meeting Room for a special Dr. Seuss-themed party to celebrate the author’s beloved characters/stories, and Read Across America Day. There will be cupcake decorating, special guest readers, game/activity stations, and raffle prizes drawn every 30 minutes!

First Saturday Guided Hike

When: 10am-12pm
Where: Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, Alto

Join us for our First Saturday of the Month Guided Hike at Caddo Mounds State Historic Site. This guided walk explores the landscape, history, and archaeology of the site. We’ll discuss how the ancestral Hasinai Caddo shaped this place and how the natural environment connects to its past.

Gardening Workshop

When: 10am-1pm
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

Touch-A-Truck

When: 10am-2pm
Where: Pitser Garrison Convention Center, Lufkin

Get ready for a day of BIG trucks and BIG fun! This FREE event lets kids climb, explore, and even get behind the wheel of their favorite vehicles—from fire trucks and police cars, to construction rigs and helicopters! Live music, food trucks, and non-stop fun!

Market on Main 4th Anniversary

When: 10am-2pm
Where: 305 East Main St, Nacogdoches, TX

We’re so excited to celebrate the FOURTH anniversary of Market on Main with you, Nac! 🤍 Come shop local, meet amazing makers, and help us mark four wonderful years together🥹

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.

63rd Annual Charity Horse Show

When: 10am-5pm
Where: Marshall City Arena

Brick Builders

When: 11am
Where: Kurth Memorial Library, Lufkin

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

“Toy Dinosaurs: A Study”

When: 11am-4pm
Where: Nacogdoches Arts Collaborative

Step into a playful and imaginative world with Toy Dinosaurs: A Study. This gallery exhibition features new works by local artist, Weelynd McMullan! This collection explores nostalgia, scale, and storytelling through the unexpected subject of toy dinosaurs—transforming familiar childhood objects into thoughtful, visually engaging artwork.

Pop In & DIY

When: 12pm-4pm
Where: Painting with a Twist, Longview

Looking for something creative to do during the day? We’re now offering Pop In & Paint hours! This freestyle DIY experience allows you to pop into our studio, choose whatever art piece you’d like to complete, and paint along with the instructions in our studio at your own pace! We’ll provide all the supplies and instructions you need. It’s the perfect daytime escape! Paintings usually take about 1.5- 2 hours **Arrivals after cutoff time (3 PM) will be turned away! PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS A SELF DIRECTED CLASS – You will receive 1.5-2 hours paint time, supplies, and typed step by step instructions.

9yrs in the Pines

When: 12pm-10pm
Where: Fredonia Brewery, Nacogdoches

Nine years in the Piney Woods and still pouring strong. 🌲🍺 Celebrate our 9th Anniversary with fresh beer, live music, food, and a whole lot of hometown love

William Xavier Chandler Book Release/Signing

When: 1pm-4pm
Where: Grim’s Fiction, Nacogdoches

Come meet Texas Indie author William Xavier Chandler & celebrate the release of his second book! “William Xavier Chandler is a half White/half Mexican American born in Lubbock, TX, now residing in Parker County. A husband and father first, a musician second, he’s spent almost all of his adult professional life working in the Department of Defense contracting industry, and is now looking to make his dreams of writing and music come true via his own company, Furious Styles Entertainment, LLC. His company has a YouTube channel

OBVARA Alternative Firing Workshop

When: 1pm-4pm
Where: Muddy Pants Pottery, Nacogdoches

Come join us on Saturday the 7th of March to participate in one of the coolest alternative firing processes ever. This workshop will give you a chance to take 3 of your pots (or ours) through the Obvara process. Obvara is an ancient Eastern European ceramic firing technique where a hot, bisqued piece of pottery is rapidly immersed into a fermented liquid made of flour, yeast, and water, followed by a quench in water. This process, sometimes called Baltic Raku, creates unique, unpredictable surface patterns and colors, such as browns, blacks, and tans, through the carbonization of the organic mixture on the hot clay.

Famous Artists Super Saturday

When: 2pm-4pm
Where: Museum of East Texas, Lufkin

You and your family are invited to learn about Famous Artists through fun interactive art activities, enjoy our Impressionists Immersive exhibit, and refreshments. 🩰 Ballerina Finger Puppets inspired by Degas. 🖼️ Pastel Landscapes inspired by Cézanne. 🪷 Garden Collage inspired by Monet. 🌙 Community Starry Night Painting inspired by Van Gogh

Kilgore ArtWalk

When: 3pm-7pm
Where: Downtown Kilgore, Kilgore, TX

Art & craft vendors, kids’ activities, demonstrations, & performances. Free setup for artists, artisans, and arts-centered organizations. For more info, email Melissa at geekend.melissa@gmail.com. Local businesses, events, civic orgs, and non-profits also welcome but must provide free children’s art or craft activity

Therapeutic Date Night

When: 6pm
Where: New Rhythms Therapeutic Center, Longview

Join us for a unique evening designed exclusively for married couples who want to strengthen their bond and enjoy intentional time together—all for about the cost of a single marriage therapy session! Dinner from a local favorite. A learning moment together. Partner Massage Class. Connection Conversation Cards.

Darrin Morris Single Release Show

When: 6pm
Where: New Rhythms Therapeutic Center, Longview

Darrin Morris performs at the REO Palm Isle. Come out and dance the big floor and enjoy the evening with all your friends. Get your tickets early and let’s pack the floor! Gonna be a hot Texas Saturday Night! This will be a single release party for “Somebody’s Breakin’ Hearts”

Piñatas for Tigers

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

Star Party

When: 6:30pm
Where: Lake Tawakoni State Park, Wills Point

Come along for a night of star and planet gazing! We will have a telescope set up to a closer look at some of the planets in our solar system and star nurseries. We will also learn how to identify some of the constellations in the sky night sky.

Lets Glow Tyler - Silent Disco Party

When: 7pm
Where: Pollard Park, 461 Hudnall Dr, Tyler, TX 75701, United States

Let’s Glow, Tyler! Join us for a glow-tastic night under the stars. A variety of tunes to dance the night away, and a perfect kick off to Spring Break week. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by visiting bit.ly/LetsGlowTyler2026.

Concert: Chicago Tribute Band

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

Chicago Tribute Authority Texas is coming to perform at The Texan in Athens on Saturday, March 7th! Step into a world where the timeless music of Chicago comes alive. Join us as they pay tribute to the legendary band with a lineup of seasoned musicians. Prepare for a fusion of rock and jazz, with blistering guitar and vibrant horns.

Texas Independence Day Fireworks

When: 7pm
Where: Lake Palestine Resort, Frankston

Join us Saturday, March 7th at Lake Palestine Resort as we celebrate Texas Independence Day with a firework show like we’ve never done before! 🎆 For the FIRST TIME EVER — a dueling firework show launched from TWO barges on Lake Palestine, lighting up the sky from both sides of the water!

Badder’s Law Firm Xtreme Bull Bash

When: 7:30pm
Where: 1200 Ellen Trout Drive, Lufkin, TX, United States, Texas 75904

Presented by Global Inspection Services and produced by Stagecoach Productions, this year’s event brings the rankest bulls, the toughest PRCA riders, and pyrotechnics that light up the arena. It’s nonstop, dirt-flying, heart-pounding action from start to finish.

“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”

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

SUNDAY, 3/8

Off Square Vendor Market

When: 12pm-5pm
Where: 235 S. Broadway Ave., #110, Tyler, TX

Velvet Vintage presents our Off Square Sundaze Vendor Market, happening every second Sunday of the month! This month the market will be held on March 8th from 12-5pm, be sure to come out and snag a one of a kind item from our unique lineup of vendors!

Peppa Pig: My First Concert

When: 2pm
Where: UT Tyler Cowan Center

Peppa Pig, along with Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, George and new baby sister Evie, are coming to Tyler for Peppa Pig: My First Concert — a fun, interactive introduction to a live orchestra for ages 18 months and older. Join Peppa and George to learn all about the different sounds that instruments make together! Enjoy some of your favorite music from the show played by a live orchestra and discover some other exciting orchestral pieces perfect for children. Plus, some little piggies can join Peppa and her family to make music of their own!

Tiles on Tap

When: 2pm-4pm
Where: Rüeggenbach Brewing Co, Marshall

Sip, shuffle, and play at Tiles on Tap — a monthly mahjong event at Rueggenbach Brewing Co in downtown Marshall that blends great brews, good company, and all the mahj fun.

*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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