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, 3/12

Silhouettes & Shadow Fun

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

Step into the spotlight at the historic Starr Family Home State Historic Site & explore the art of silhouettes! Silhouette portraits were a popular way to capture a person’s likeness in the 18th & 19th centuries. We’re hoping for a sunny day so we can enjoy plenty of natural shadows to play with as well!

Uno Round Table

When: 12pm
Where: Deep Routes Coffee, Sulphur Springs

Come hang out at Deep Routes for a day of games, community, and caffeine.

LEGO Boat Races

When: 3pm
Where: Tyler Public Library

Kids of all ages, join us for Lego Boat Races on March 12 at 3 p.m. in the auditorium on the first floor!

Market Nights

When: 5pm
Where: Bob Wells Nursery at Sorelle Farms, Mineola

Come shop local for fresh juices, local produce, pasture raised meats, fresh baked breads, microgreens and more! Our winter market nights will be held the second Thursday of each month. Bring the family to support local farmers and makers and enjoy dinner and live music!

FRIDAY, 3/13

Downtown Longview St. Paddy’s Pub Crawl

When: Regular Business Hours
Where: Downtown Longview

March 13, 14 & 17, explore Downtown at your own pace and scan the QR code at each stop for raffle entries. The more stops you hit, the better your chances of winning prizes like Texas Rangers tickets, gift cards, and more. This challenge is free to participate in and benefits the Greater Longview United Way. Register at https://bit.ly/stpaddyspubcrawl

Glaze & Sip

When: 6pm
Where: The Madhatter Distillery, Nacogdoches

Muddy Pants Pottery will be at the Distillery with a variety of mugs and things for you to glaze. Pick your favorite and sit down with friends to paint and relax. Items will be fired at Muddy Pants Pottery and available for pickup in 1-2 weeks. You will receive a text message when your piece is complete. $20 per person covers 1 item and the the glaze and firing. Additional items may be purchased to paint. Drinks can be purchased directly from the Distillery.

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!

$5 Movie | Jumanji

When: 7pm
Where: The Pines Lufkin

Step back in time and experience the magic of moviegoing the way it used to be — right in the heart of downtown Lufkin at the 100-year-old Pines Theater! Enjoy a nostalgic night out filled with smiling faces you won’t find anywhere else, unbeatable prices, and that cozy, small-town camaraderie we all love so be available. Think of it as ultimate girl time: Bring your best friend, your daughter, your grandma, Great Aunt Midge, your favorite crafty buddy — anyone who loves a good love story and a good project.

SATURDAY, 3/14

Downtown Longview St. Paddy’s Pub Crawl

When: Regular Business Hours
Where: Downtown Longview

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.

Caffeine & Carburetors

When: 9am-1pm
Where: HUB Coffee Shop, Lindale

This FREE cars and coffee event is perfect for all car lovers. Back by popular demand, the vendor market occurs at the same time. Coffee, lunch and desserts will be served in the HUB Coffee Shop. Our Spa & Coffee event, for ladies’ only, will begin immediately at the conclusion of the car show & vendor market.

March Winter Market

When: 9am-12pm
Where: Winnsboro Farmers’ Market

Join us for our monthly Winter Market! You’ll find your favorite farmers market vendors with fresh produce, baked goods, handmade items, and more. Same great community, just once a month through the winter season!

Spring Kick-Off Event

When: 9am-6pm
Where: Plants of Texas, Flint

Join us for our Annual Spring Kick-Off Event on March 14th! What’s happening: MASSIVE SALE all weekend (some exclusions apply). Bounce houses, obstacle course & a brand-new inflatable game kids will LOVE (10 AM–2 PM). FREE educational class on Soils & Plant Nutrition (11 AM–12 PM). Delicious lunch available for purchase from Texas Taco. Door-buster deal on 12” & 16” decorative pots. *while supplies last.

Living History Day

When: 10am
Where: Pearce Museum, Corsicana

Mark your calendars for March 14! Our Spring living history day will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and involve reenactors portraying Union, Confederate, and civilian impressions. There will be period-authentic activities, including spinning and weaving, sewing, and musket demonstrations.

Rainbow Market

When: 10am
Where: Bergfeld Park, Tyler

Come out to see us at the Rainbow Market organized by Tyler Area Gays (TAG)! Gayle will be doing readings and we will have divination supplies and some exquisite jewelry made by Purrrple Cat Creations! Bring your furbaby and enjoy the spring weather!

2026 Swing into Spring

When: 10am-2pm
Where: Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary - Tyler, Texas

Celebrate the return of warmer days at Swing Into Spring, a family-friendly spring festival at Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary! This special event is the perfect way to welcome the season while supporting animal care, conservation, and education in East Texas. Stroll through the sanctuary and enjoy a lively atmosphere filled with local vendors, spring-themed fun, and the chance to see our incredible animal residents enjoying the change in seasons. Throughout the day, guests will have the opportunity to attend special keeper talks and watch enrichment demonstrations, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how our dedicated staff care for and engage the animals in our care. Families can also enjoy free, kid-friendly activities, making this a fun and educational outing for all ages.

6th Annual Antique Quilt & Embroidery Display

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

Step Back in Time with Quilts at the Goodman-LeGrand Museum! Visit our Antique Quilt Display from March 14 to April 25, 2026 and marvel at quilts dating back to the 1830s! This exhibit also features several vintage embroidery items.

Clay Play

When: 11am | 3pm
Where: Horse Feathers Art Market, Mineola

CLAY PLAY for 3-6 years (parent must accompany the child for the hour class) two classes 11am-noon and 3-4 pm. Everything is included and the kids will make take home objects from non-toxic air dry clay

Monster Truck Wars

When: 12pm | 6pm
Where: Rusk County Youth Expo Center, Henderson

BACK AND BIGGER THAN EVER! America’s Wildest Monster Truck Show is coming to HENDERSON! We’re excited to be bringing you a GREAT SUPERSTAR lineup of Monster Trucks and Thrill Show! For this event on MARCH 14th, 2026 there will be TWO GIANT SHOWS.

Motorized Barstool Races

When: 12pm
Where: 1589 FM-279, Ben Wheeler, TX

Bad ideas. Good people. Better cause. Motorized barstools hit the streets March 14, 2026All thanks to our incredible sponsors and Friends of Ben Wheeler. Proceeds benefit the Ben Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department Come race, spectate, or heckle responsibly.

Everything Honey 1-Year Anniversary

When: 12pm-7pm
Where: Everything Honey, Canton

To celebrate an incredible year with our community, we’re throwing a sweet anniversary party and you’re invited! If you’ve never visited us before, this is the perfect day to come see what Everything Honey is all about a honey store, mead bar, tearoom, and gathering place built around bees and community. FREE mead tastings all day. Free honey stick with any purchase over $20. Honey & mead samples. Charcuterie & pizza available. Meet the beekeepers. Photo booth & bee-themed selfies. Store specials & giveaways throughout the day.

Maker’s Matinee ft. The Notebook

When: 2pm
Where: The Pines Lufkin

Get ready for the coziest, craftiest girl’s afternoon in Lufkin! Angelina Arts Alliance and the Museum of East Texas are teaming up for a FREE Makers’ Matinee at The Pines — and you’re invited! We’re rolling out The Notebook on the big screen (bring the tissues ), and welcoming all creatives to craft, knit, stitch, sketch, or bead their way through the movie. Bring your own dry/non-messy crafts! A small selection of yarn and art supplies will also be available. Think of it as ultimate girl time: Bring your best friend, your daughter, your grandma, Great Aunt Midge, your favorite crafty buddy — anyone who loves a good love story and a good project.

Open Makerspace

When: 3pm-4pm
Where: Tyler Public Library

Kids and families, join us on March 14 from 3-4 p.m. for Open Makerspace! Art supplies and STEM activities will be made available for free play and exploration. This program meets in the makerspace room on the third floor.

3rd Annual Blues & Brews

When: 3pm-4pm
Where: Rusty Axe Brewing Company, Lufkin

Join us for a night of great music, cold drinks, and amazing food! Live Blues Music Food Trucks + Rusty Axe Kitchen Beer & Wine Available Outside Good Vibes Only. Enjoy a perfect night downtown with us!

Fish Wind Chimes Class

When: 4pm
Where: 125 N Texas St, Hemphill, TX, United States, Texas 75948

Pottery Wind Chimes Workshop with Muddy Pants Pottery (Nacogdoches)This one’s going to fill up fast—only 16 seats available. If you’ve been wanting a fun, creative afternoon out (and something handmade to take home), grab your spot now!Join us at By Local Shop for a hands-on pottery wind chimes class taught by Muddy Pants Pottery of Nacogdoches. You’ll create your own one-of-a-kind wind chimes, then come back for a second studio time to glaze after your piece has been fired.

Billie Jo Jones

When: 7pm
Where: Roma’s Italian Bar & Grill, Sulphur Springs

Come out and hear Billie Jo with her full band- she goes on at 9:30! Brett Boatman takes the stage at 7pm and Heather Linn & The Deacons on at 8pm!

Owl Prowl

When: 7pm
Where: Lake Tawakoni State Park, Wills Point

Discover owl’s spectacular superpowers and go on a short hike to find one of our silent predators in the night!

LMFA LIVE Concert Series - Colt and the Old 45s

When: 7pm
Where: LMFA - Longview Museum of Fine Arts

Get ready for a high-energy night of classic hits with Colt and the Old 45s, a powerhouse 12-member band made up of first-rate musicians. Featuring an impressive horn section and dynamic vocalists, this band brings a shared passion for the unforgettable music of the ’60s, ’70s, and beyond to every performance.

“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.

SUNDAY, 3/15

Paddling 101

When: 10am-12pm
Where: Daingerfield State Park

Learn the basics of paddling and test your new skills on Little Pine Lake! THIS IS A BEGINNER PADDLING CLASS! Program will cover all the basics of paddling and safety instruction prior to getting on the water. After safety and presentation, one ranger will lead a guide around the Little Pine Lake to practice your new skills. Expect the possibility of getting wet so bring clothes and shoes you do not mind getting wet. Bring plenty of water and snacks to keep you hydrated and fueled.

“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”

When: 2pm
Where: Cherokee Civic Theatre, Rusk

Belly Dance | Sip & Shake

When: 2pm-4pm
Where: BodywoRx Studio, Quitman

Skirts provided for use or purchase at this event. Come shimmy and shake while learning a simple dance with basic belly dancing moves. Light snacks and drinks provided during breaks. $20 per person.

From Swords to Spaceships

When: 2:30pm
Where: Historic Select Theater, Mineola

The Lake Country Symphonic Band presents a concert of soundtracks from movies, TV shows, fairy tales, and video games. The concert will be repeated Monday night. It is family-friendly, casual, and a lot of fun!

The Erwins

When: 6pm
Where: First Baptist Whitehouse

There is something captivating about the blending and swelling of sibling harmony. When that is combined with pure talent and a servant’s heart for people, you have the incomparable ministry of The Erwins. Appearing at over 270 dates a year with their father, who has been in full-time evangelism for nearly 50 years, they have been traveling full-time their entire life singing in concerts, revivals, and conferences all across the country.

*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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