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, 5/21

Market Nights

When: 5pm-8pm
Where: Bob Wells Nursery at Sorelle Farms, Mineola

Join us every Thursday Night for dinner and a night of shopping local.

Crafts at the Creek

When: 6pm
Where: Bear Creek Smokehouse, Marshall

An evening of watercolor, charcuterie, and good company. Join us at 6 PM to paint your own Highland cow. BYOB | $45 a ticket

College Night 8-Ball Tournament

When: 6pm-9pm
Where: Hot Shot Pool Hall + Soda Bar, Tyler

Join us every Thursday for College Night at Hotshot Pool Hall. This is a beginner-friendly 8-ball tournament, perfect for new and casual players looking to compete and have a good time.

Music in May

When: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Where: The Mineola Gazebo

Bring your lawn chair and join us every Thursday evening in May for a fantastic night of live music at the Gazebo in beautiful downtown Mineola! Relax, unwind, and enjoy great music, good company, and small-town charm.

Bring Your Own Craft + Potluck

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

BRING YOUR OWN CRAFT and cahoot with us again.

FRIDAY, 5/22

Pilates Mat Class

When: 9:30am-10:30am
Where: East Texas Arboretum, Athens

Friday mornings - Pilates from a great instructor in a beautiful setting for only $10? BYO Mat and water

Mill Pond Playground Grand Opening

When: 11am
Where: 1628 John St, Nacogdoches, TX 75964-3114, United States

Join us as we celebrate the official grand opening of the brand-new playground at Mill Pond Park!

East Texas Celtic Fest

When: 10am-6pm
Where: 2487 FM 1795, Hawkins, TX, United States, Texas 75765

This long-running event celebrates the Celtic culture, focusing on the Scottish, Irish, and Welsh. Several stages of live entertainment, vendors, food, and activities! It’s like a renaissance faire that encompasses many eras! Costumes welcome!

Art Exhibit & Book Signing

When: 5pm-7pm
Where: 110 N. College Ave. Ste. 105, Tyler, TX, United States, Texas 75702

A pop-up art exhibit will be on display in the front room of the Visit Tyler Visitor Center this May through June, featuring original works inspired by Morocco. The collection brings to life the colors, textures, and everyday scenes found across medinas, mountains, and desert landscapes. Join us for a special book signing on May 22 from 5–7 PM for “Medinas, Mirages and Mountains: Journey through paint and pigment.” The book features over 50 pages of full-color paintings, personal travel stories, and cultural reflections from her time in Morocco—capturing its warmth, energy, and timeless beauty.

Out of School Bash

When: 6pm-10pm
Where: Fox’s Horsemanship LLC, Pittsburg

Horses, live music, bounce houses, bonfire, smores and so much more!

SATURDAY, 5/23

Rusk Farmers Market

When: 8am-12pm
Where: Corner of Main & 7th St - Rusk, Texas

RUSK FARMERS MARKET. EVERY SATURDAY * 8AM-12PM.

Mineola Farmers Market

When: 8am-1pm
Where: 101 W Front St, Mineola, TX, United States, Texas 75773

Join us at the Pavilion on Front Street from 8 AM – 1 PM and shop fresh local produce, homemade goodies, artisan products, and more. There’s nothing better than supporting local while enjoying a beautiful morning in Mineola!

Saturday Sip & Garage Sale

When: 8am-2pm
Where: 2401 S Main Street, Lindale, TX, United States, Texas 75771

Come shop our large garage sale at Bethesda Church (Lindale), browsing thru rooms and rooms of interesting items. This sale has become a popular annual fundraiser for our Trail Life & American Heritage Girl troops that meet in our church. There are some amazing treasures to be found! During the sale, the HUB Coffee Shop will remain open. Not only do we offer iced or cold coffees, but we also serve hot sandwiches and desserts. If coffee is not your thing, we also serve chai tea and strawberry smoothies

Dog Days of Summer

When: 9am
Where: Bergfeld Park, Tyler

Join in a wonderful day of pet adoption, vaccination and microchip clinic, games, shopping, mouth watering food and lots of prizes and giveaways!! Contact Hollywood feed Tyler Tx for vender booth fees that 100 percent go to our local rescue host Pets Fur People!

Archery 101

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

Program Expectations: Program will go over the basics of archery (safety orientation and eye-dominance [15 minutes] and 11 steps to shooting success [30 minutes]). All equipment will be provided. Please do not bring your own! Five time slots are available. 6 archers only per slot. Archers MUST be 6 years or older. Extras are welcome to watch but will not be able to participate. Once a slot has been filled, there will be 0 available spots shown. You can be put on a wait list to attend if there are cancellations. Slots are all 45 minutes. 15 minutes for safety and 30 minutes for shooting. Please arrive on time as extra time will not be provided. If accommodations are needed, please let me know upon registration.

Memorial Day Weekend Vendor Market

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

Join us for a HUGE outdoor shopping event this Memorial Day Weekend! We’re aiming to bring together 200+ vendors for a full day of shopping, supporting small businesses, and enjoying a fun community atmosphere.

Black Beauty Ranch Tour

When: 9:30am
Where: Black Beauty Ranch, Murchison

Ready for an unforgettable experience? Explore Black Beauty Ranch, home to over 600 incredible animals from more than 40 species. Join us on a guided tour to see sanctuary life up close and learn about the animals that call Black Beauty Ranch home.

Free Hike & Yoga Class

When: 10am
Where: Mineola Nature Preserve

Enjoy hiking a few miles and a FREE 30 minute yoga class! This is open for the community and any and all skill levels. We hope to bring like minded people together and spread some positivity! So bring your yoga mat, some water and your tennis shoes & let’s have some fun!

Tejas Timber Hike

When: 10am
Where: Mission Tejas State Park, Grapeland

Come join us at the Tejas Timber trailhead for an easy half mile guided hike on the newly renovated hiking trail! The trail has received improved mobility maintenance, making it easier on strollers, wheelchairs and walkers!

Outdoor Adventure Series - Archery

When: 10am-11:30am
Where: Glass Recreation Center, Tyler

There is still time to register for the Outdoor Adventure Series! Families with children ages 8 and older are welcome to participate. This free program provides all necessary equipment, making it easy for families to join in. The courses are a great way to experience nature and spend quality time together outdoors.

Snap School - Photography Class

When: 10am-12pm
Where: Lufkin Parks & Recreation

Join our interactive workshop - bring your phone or tablet and learn to capture the special moments around you every day! Ages 16+ - FREE - call to register. Lufkin Parks and Rec 936-633-0205

Fair on the Square

When: 10am-4pm
Where: Downtown Rusk

Car Show, Food Trucks, Vendors, Live Entertainment, Endless Activities for Everyone!

East Texas Celtic Fest

When: 10am-6pm
Where: 2487 FM 1795, Hawkins, TX, United States, Texas 75765

250 Years of Freedom, 250 Years of Sacrifice

When: 11am-1pm
Where: The Boulders at Lake Tyler

This annual Memorial Day Ceremony event reflects the community’s enduring commitment to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend our nation and to remember the families they left behind. Attendees are encouraged to join in recognizing our fallen heroes, pay tribute to their families and enjoy the camaraderie of the East Texas Veteran community. As we mark 250 Years of Freedom, we remember that liberty comes at a cost. This year’s theme,250 Years of Freedom, 250 Years of Sacrifice, honors the 1.4 million Service Members who died defending our nation, as well as the families and loved ones they left behind.

Flower Power Train

When: 11am-3pm
Where: 200 West Front Street, Mineola, TX, United States, Texas 75773

All aboard for a beautiful spring day of trains, flowers, and family fun at Iron Horse Square in Mineola! Bring the whole family out to enjoy FREE mini train rides, colorful spring scenery, and a fun-filled afternoon in downtown Mineola.

Slow-Ride Memorial Procession, Fish Fry & More

When: 12pm-3pm
Where: Lumberjack Harley-Davidson, Nacogdoches

On Memorial Day weekend, Lumberjack Harley-Davidson opens its doors to honor the men and women who gave everything so the rest of us could ride free. Join us Saturday, May 23rd from 12–3PM for our Memorial Day Fish Fry — a community gathering built around gratitude, remembrance and the East Texas tradition of coming together around a good meal. Slow-Ride Memorial Procession — a structured ride to kick off the afternoon in honor of the fallen. Memorial Wall — bring a photo or write the name of a servicemember you want remembered. Missing Man Table — a formal display honoring those who never came home.

The Painted Stone Workshop

When: 1pm-3pm
Where: Old Town Vintage & More, Palestine

Join us for a fun and creative afternoon of rock painting! Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just looking to try something new, this class is perfect for all skill levels. We’ll start with a quick introduction and some inspiration from sample designs, then you’ll let your imagination take over as you create your own one-of-a-kind rock art.

Exhibit Opening Reception: NATIVE PERSPECTIVES: AMERICA250

When: 4pm-7pm
Where: LMFA - Longview Museum of Fine Arts

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the Longview Museum of Fine Arts presents Native Perspectives: America250—a powerful exhibition elevating contemporary Indigenous voices from across the American South.

The Forge: Texas Songwriters on the Rise

When: 7pm
Where: The Forge Bar and Grill, Ben Wheeler

Texas Songwriters on the Rise is a curated collective and live concert series spotlighting some of the most compelling independent songwriters coming out of Texas. Featuring Meredith Crawford, David Percy, Kyle Sinkule and Zach Maberry.

Summer Kickoff Glow Party

When: 7pm
Where: The Lakeside Grill At The Lake Tyler Marina, Whitehouse

Get ready for a night filled with great music, glowing lights, fun vibes, dancing, food, drinks, and all the summer energy you’ve been waiting for! Wear your brightest neon colors and come party with us by the lake!

Mini Kiss

When: 8pm
Where: Stanley’s Famous Pit Barbecue, Tyler

The World Famous MINIKISS is a high-energy rock band that’s taking the world by storm! This group of talented little people is known for their electrifying KISS-inspired performances that have rocked audiences at some of the biggest events and venues worldwide. MINIKISS has made a name for themselves with unforgettable appearances on hit shows like Lip Sync Battle, Mall Cop 2, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, The George Lopez Show, HBO Live Sessions, and more. Mini Kiss has shared the stage with artists including Snoop Dogg, Jackyl, Blue Öyster Cult, Perfect Circle, Air Supply, Peter Frampton and many others. The band’s star power reached new heights appearing on the KISS Dr.Pepper Super Bowl Commercial in 2010. In 2023 the band broke a Guinness World Record on Lo Show Dei Record TV Show in Milan, Italy, and currently holds the Record for “World’s Shortest Band”.

Comedy Night with Crux Crawford

When: 8pm
Where: Liberty Hall, Tyler

Crux Crawford is a nationally touring comedian with roots in Los Angeles. Known for his sharp, relatable humor, Crux’s material draws from his experiences as a father, an aging millennial, and the balancing act of managing family life while traveling the stand-up comedy circuit. With millions of views on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, Crux has quickly become a rising star in the comedy world. He’s shared the stage with comedy icons like Russell Peters, Pablo Francisco, Josh Blue, and Pauly Shore, among others.

SUNDAY, 5/24

East Texas Celtic Fest

When: 10am-6pm
Where: 2487 FM 1795, Hawkins, TX, United States, Texas 75765

Garden Gathering

When: 11am-3pm
Where: 3106 W Jackson St, Tyler, TX, United States, Texas 75701

All are welcome to join the ETX Community Gardeners at the WCL garden on Sundays! The time says 11am, but people come and go all morning and afternoon, so you’re welcome to pop by when you can

School’s Out Summer Kick Off

When: 2pm-5pm
Where: Lindale Family Farm

Join us for a fun, easy afternoon at Lindale Family Farm — built just for kids and families to kick off summer. Bounce houses, kids craft station, Bubble play area and tons more!

Letters Home: A Memorial Day Fireworks Tribute

When: 4pm
Where: Lake Palestine Resort, Frankston

Letters Home: A Memorial Day Tribute is more than a fireworks show—it’s a story. Told through music, narration, and a choreographed display over the water, this year’s show follows a soldier’s letter home and honors the sacrifice behind the freedom we celebrate.

*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, 5/21

FRIDAY, 5/22

SATURDAY, 5/23

SUNDAY, 5/24

*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?