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, 10/8

Fall Book Fair

When: 11am-6pm
Where: Van Zandt County Sarah Norman Library, Canton

From October 6th - 9th we will have our meeting room full of books to buy and bid on! The Book Fair will be open during our regular open hours except for Friday, it will close early at 3pm. It’ll be $5 a bag and bags will be provided at the door! Save the dates and make room on your bookshelves! You won’t want to miss this event.

Hispanic Heritage Night

When: 5pm
Where: Griffin Elementary School - Tyler ISD

We are excited to open our doors to our families and community and celebrate together. Come support our students, enjoy some delicious food, shop, and be part of a wonderful evening at Griffin!

Soap Making

When: 6pm
Where: The Craft Collective with Mimi & Shug, Athens

And this isn’t just watching somebody make soap. You’ll be learning the actual cold-process soapmaking method and creating your own custom batch!

FRIDAY, 10/9

7th Annual Golf Tournament

When: 8am
Where: Cherokee Ranch Golf Club, Jacksonville

Grab your team and join us for a fun-filled day of golf, networking, prizes, food, and community support! Whether you’re playing for bragging rights or just coming for the good times, this tournament is one you don’t want to miss.

Art Exhibit & Book Signing

When: 5:30pm
Where: Flatt 55: Wine Cellar & Social Club

Enjoy an evening of art, conversation, and good company while exploring the art of Brenda Bogart. Books, artwork, and wine will be available for purchase, including an autograph signing opportunity from Brenda.

Next Stop Comedy

When: 8pm
Where: Yellow Rose Canyon, Mount Enterprise

Next Stop Comedy brings top stand-up comedians to your favorite local venues! Each show features a novel line-up with acts seen on TV and heard on your favorite podcasts.

SATURDAY, 10/10

Reloading Hope Benefit Shoot

When: 7:30am
Where: 5H Shooting Sports, Frankston

We are honored to invite you to join us for the Second Annual Reloading Hope Shootout on October 10, 2026, at 5H Shooting Sports in Frankston, Texas. This event benefits three local nonprofits: the East Texas Crisis Center, Hope Haven of East Texas, and HOPE Jacksonville. Visit www.BTEhope.com for more information.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s

When: 8am
Where: Teague Park, Longview

Join the fight against Alzheimer’s and help to raise awareness and funds for care, support, and research in our local community by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®.

Carthage Farmers Market

When: 8am
Where: 300 W Panola St, Carthage, TX, United States, Texas 75633

We’re looking forward to beautiful weather, local vendors, live music, and great food coming together to launch the new market season.

4th Annual Breast Cancer Festival

When: 8am
Where: Lewis Auto Swap Meet, Canton

Come out to our 4th Annual doodsforboobs.com Breast Cancer Awareness Festival And Car Show and Build Off Finale!! We will be hosting the show on Saturday October 10 and the Swap meet will run Thursday to Sunday!!

LACC Harvest Hustle

When: 8:30am
Where: The Cannery Lindale

Altra Federal Credit Union Harvest Hustle 5K and Kids 1K Race Presented by Christus Trinity Mother Frances

Rose City Airfest

When: 9am
Where: 150 Airport Blvd, Tyler, TX, United States, 75704

This year, our show will headline the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team, among others. Rose City Airfest is a fundraiser to provide assistance and support to military Veterans through CampV.

Artist Meetup

When: 9am-11am
Where: Crazy Four Books & Coffee, Crockett

Join us at Crazy Four Books & Coffee for a laid-back Artist Meetup to fuel your creativity, meet other creators, and hit your caffeine fix. We provide the dedicated space and free coffee, while you bring your current project or medium that you are passionate about. Whether you’re sketching, painting, crocheting, or crafting, this is the perfect opportunity to work in the company of fellow creators!

LACC CountryFest

When: 9am-4pm
Where: Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square, Lindale

Car Show 🎤 Kiwanis Live & Silent Auction 🍔 Local Food Vendors 🛍️ Shopping with unique local businesses.

Growing Citrus in Texas

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

Ready to grow your own fresh citrus right here in Texas? Join us for a hands-on workshop covering the basics of choosing, planting, caring for, and protecting citrus trees in the Texas climate.

Fire Prevention Week

When: 10am
Where: Berryville Volunteer Fire Department

Tour fire trucks. Baked goods and breakfast items for sale. Meet the firefighters.

Fall Fest

When: 10am
Where: River of Grace Church, Ben Wheeler

We’d love for everyone to come out, fellowship, have fun, and enjoy the day with us!

Fall Family Fun Day

When: 10am-2pm
Where: Plants Of Texas, Flint

We’re kicking off the fall season with a fun-filled {FREE} celebration for the whole family! Join us Saturday, October 10th, from 10 AM–2 PM for a day of food, fun, plant education, and family memories at Plants of Texas.

Noonday Annual Fall Festival

When: 10am-2pm
Where: Noonday Farmers Market

THE NOONDAY FALL FESTIVAL IS FULL OF FALL GOODNESS, HANDMADE ITEMS, AND DELICIOUS HOLIDAY TREATS! GET A HEAD START ON YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AND FIND UNIQUE, CUSTOM GIFTS FOR EVERYONE!

Family Freedom Festival

When: 10am-3pm
Where: Anderson County VFW Auxiliary 8924, Palestine

Fun filled Family day with free events for the kids, live music, vendors, and silent auction.

Tyler’s Old Rose Dress Display

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

Step back in time and experience the elegance of Tyler’s rose-growing heritage through a stunning display of vintage-inspired gowns and floral fashion. The Old Rose Dress Display celebrates the beauty, tradition, and history that helped make Tyler the Rose Capital of America.

Edom Art Festival

When: 10am-5pm
Where: Edom, TX

Visitors relish the ambience and flavor of the Edom Art Festival, in the meadow behind the artists’ studios located in the center of this tiny hamlet. The relaxed atmosphere lends itself to great conversations with exhibiting artists, which is impossible in a large city event. Here you will find jewelry, pottery, photography, sculpture, baskets, woodworking, glass, and original garden art. Shop for one-of-a-kind pieces of clothing, paintings, handmade journals and mixed media creations made from recycled materials. Watch a blacksmith demonstrate his skill at the forge, and perhaps a potter at the wheel, or a raku pottery firing demonstration.

Oktoberfest

When: 11am-7pm
Where: Historic Downtown Kilgore, Texas

Make plans now for Kilgore’s 11th Oktoberfest, Saturday, October 10, in Historic Downtown Kilgore! This Family-friendly event is the authentic German/Texan experience with German inspired food, live music by The Royal Klobasneks, drinks and family friendly activities. Come dressed for the occasion in a dirndl or lederhosen and enter the Best Dressed competition.

13th Annual Pulling for Special Kids | Arm-wrestling Tournament

When: 12pm
Where: Brisket Love Barbecue & Icehouse - Lindale Texas

This event is a charity event and run by volunteers. All proceeds are donated to the Smith County Special Olympics.

How to Grow Ranunculus & Anemones

When: 12pm
Where: Plants Of Texas, Flint

Join us during our Fall Family Fun Day as the Smith County Master Gardeners share their tips and expertise on successfully growing ranunculus and anemones in East Texas!

Evie Rocks Tyler 2026

When: 2pm-8pm
Where: True Vine Brewing Company, Tyler

Evie Rocks Tyler was created to raise suicide awareness in a way that feels real, accessible, and community-centered. It is a chance to show up, be part of the conversation, challenge stigma, and help create a culture where people feel less alone and more connected.

FireAnt Festival

When: 4pm
Where: Downtown Marshall, Texas

Get ready for the 44th Annual FireAnt Festival in Marshall, Texas! This year’s festival is bringing a little Americana, a whole lot of fun, and plenty of FireAnt spirit to downtown Marshall.

Waltz Across Texas - Exhibit Opening

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

Join us for the opening reception of Waltz Across Texas, an exhibition of oil paintings by Gail Wendorf celebrating the rich history, character, and spirit of Texas dance halls.

YMCA Fall Fest

When: 5pm-7pm
Where: Cain Center YMCA, Athens

Come out for a free community event at the Cain Center YMCA. Dress up and enjoy our Trunk or Treat, Food Trucks, Vendors, Bounce Houses, Hay Ride & more.

Roller Derby Double Header

When: 5pm-9pm
Where: Flores Center, Tyler

Mayhem Roller Derby’s Halloween Double Header Mashup is coming! Two bouts. Four teams. One night of BLOOD, BRAINS & MAYHEM! AND Tyler Belly Dancers, Trick or Treating for the kids and COSTUME CONTEST!!

Harvest for Hope 2026 Fall Ball

When: 5:30pm
Where: The Texan, Athens

Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing as we raise funds to support the foster children of East Texas!

River Road Spook Trail

When: 7pm
Where: 720 River Road S, Big Sandy, TX

Ready for a scream? The River Road Haunted Trail is the scariest event in East Texas this Halloween. Gather your bravest friends and prepare for a night of heart pounding fright around every corner.

Next Stop Comedy

When: 7:30pm
Where: Mineola Beckham Hotel

Next Stop Comedy brings the best comedians, with new lineups every time, straight to your neighborhood for an unforgettable night of laughter! Our shows feature top-tier talent from across the country, delivering high-energy performances in intimate, local venues. Whether you need an exciting date night, you’re a die-hard comedy fan, or you’re just looking for a fun night out, Next Stop Comedy guarantees big laughs, great vibes, and an experience you won’t want to miss.

SUNDAY,10/11

Rose City Airfest

When: 9am
Where: 150 Airport Blvd, Tyler, TX, United States, 75704

This year, our show will headline the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team, among others. Rose City Airfest is a fundraiser to provide assistance and support to military Veterans through CampV.

Edom Art Festival

When: 10am-5pm
Where: Edom, TX

Arts & Crafts: Potion Bottles

When: 2pm
Where: Lottie Bug Farms, Hawkins

Includes: Ceramic potion bottle, cork, goodies to decorate with (twine, charms, potion labels, etc.) Feel free to bring anything you would like to add to your bottle with you!!

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”

When: 2pm
Where: Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center, Kilgore

Washington Irving’s classic comes to life through puppetry, shadow play, live music, and physical storytelling, brought to the stage by a company that built this world from the ground up. Equal parts ghost story and campfire tale, this is Sleepy Hollow like you’ve never seen it.

*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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