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, 10/22

“Misery”

When: 7pm
Where: Henderson County Performing Arts Center, Athens

Based on Stephen King’s novel, Misery is a psychological thriller about famous romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who, after a car crash, is rescued by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, and held captive in her secluded home. When Annie discovers Paul killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain, in his latest book, she forces him to write a sequel, turning his recovery into a terrifying battle for survival as he realizes she has no intention of letting him go. The production is under the direction of “Stephen King’s biggest fan” Joclyn Ewers and is set to run Oct. 22 -25.

ManAlive Texas 2026

When: 7pm
Where: Frontier Camp Rd, Grapeland, TX 75844, United States

Three nights in the woods with about 125 to 150 guys. You drive in Thursday afternoon. You drive out Sunday around lunch. In between, you’re off your phone, you’re outdoors, you’re eating real food, and you’re sitting around fires with men who came to do the same thing you did.

Thursday Trivia

When: 7pm-9pm
Where: Brisket Love Barbecue & Icehouse - Lindale Texas

Don’t get smoked by the competition. Come prove you’re the whole rack of ribs when it comes to random knowledge!

FRIDAY, 10/23

Seniors Coffee Time - Puzzles

When: 9am-11am
Where: Longview Public Library

We’re continuing to offer a monthly theme for each meetup, and this month is Puzzles! Meet for a casual drop in and relax with some jigsaw puzzle time (it helps keep the mind sharp!).

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.

Originally Southern Paperie | Pop-Up

When: 11am-4pm
Where: Good Vibes Nutrition Tyler

Originally Southern Paperie is popping up at Good Vibes Nutrition & More in Tyler with an interactive vintage paper bar where you can create your own paper pack. Browse vintage book pages, graphics, music sheets, stickers, ribbons, ephemera and all sorts of wonderful little paper treasures.

“Misery”

When: 7pm
Where: Henderson County Performing Arts Center, Athens

SATURDAY, 10/24

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!

Hotdogs & Hotrods

When: 9am
Where: Crossroads Canton

Hotdogs and Hotrods and more to raise raise money for the following building, children’s area, pavilion, sanctuary.

Charity Car Show

When: 9am
Where: Angelina County Farmers Market, Lufkin

Raising money for the homeschool kids classes and field trips

Garza Botanical Gardens and Mercantile Market Day

When: 9am-2pm
Where: 1630 US 59 S Jefferson, Texas

*Handmade goods and crafts. * Flea market finds and garage sale treasures. * Antiques, collectibles, and vintage items. * Clothing, jewelry, and home décor

Getting to Know your Jeep

When: 9am-4pm
Where: 806 N Main St, Lindale, TX 75771-6430, United States

We’re starting the morning at Lindale Custom Jeeps for a beginner-friendly workshop all about getting to know your Jeep. We’ll go over basic parts and components, where things are located, and how to prep your Jeep before heading off-road. After the workshop, anyone who wants to continue the day can convoy over to Barnwell Mountain Recreational Area for easy beginner trails. This is a great event for ladies who are newer to off-roading, want to feel more confident, or just want to understand what their Jeep can actually do beyond looking cute in the grocery store parking lot.

FMC Fall Festival

When: 10am-12pm
Where: First Methodist Chandler

It’s Fall Fest Candy Collection Time!

Community Fish Day

When: 10am-2pm
Where: 712 E Main St, Van, TX 75790, United States

Bring your poles, bobbers, and your favorite fish bait and join us that Saturday morning at 10 AM, we are going to turn loose several hundred catfish for you to try your luck on. There will be hot dogs at noon, sponsored by Brookshire’s and Sonic. There will be a few volunteers around to help you out if needed! The official event is 10am-2pm, but stay as long as you like! Remember in Texas kids under 17 don’t require a fishing license.

Teen Writing Workshop

When: 10am-4pm
Where: Lee-Bardwell Public Library, Gladewater

Creating unforgettable characters with depth and voice. Writing dialogue that crackles and feels real

Deer Sweet Angels Fall Festival

When: 11am-8pm
Where: 12681 US Highway 69 s Alto Texas 75925

This event is open to everyone, families, friends, and our community. Come enjoy a day filled with fun, remembrance, connection, and support. All proceeds benefit the mission of Deer Sweet Angels, helping provide comfort and support boxes to families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, and fertility struggles. Bounce houses. Fall market. Petting zoo. And lots of more fun!

Books, Booooos & Burgers

When: 12pm-5pm
Where: Fredonia Brewery, Nacogdoches

Grim’s Fiction is teaming up with Fredonia Brewery & Smash & Pass Burgers to bring indie horror authors and book lovers together for a day of frightful fun. Sip on our signature brews while you browse a vast selection of horror novels, and meet some amazing horror authors. Then enjoy a delicious Smash burger while you read one of your new books!

Pine Tree Fall Fest

When: 3pm
Where: Pine Tree ISD, Longview

Get ready for a spooktacular afternoon of fun at Pine Tree Fall Fest! Join us on Saturday, October 24, at Pirate Stadium for an afternoon filled with games, activities, student performances, and plenty of fall fun for the whole family!

Josh Abbott Band

When: 4pm
Where: Mabank Pavilion

Join us October 24, 2026 at the Mabank Pavilion for a night of live music, great food, and giving back to our community. With special guest Ira Bradford, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable night. All proceeds benefit Friends & Family of Kemp 4H/FFA, supporting scholarships, livestock projects, and local students.

Fall Fest & Chili Cook Off

When: 4pm-6pm
Where: County Line Baptist Church of Bullard Texas

We’ll have chili, Trunk or Treat, a hay ride, games, a raffle, food, and plenty of fun for the whole family.

Troup Community Block Party

When: 4pm-7pm
Where: Cameron-J. Jarvis Troup Municipal Library, Troup

Bounce houses, mechanical bull, food trucks and family fun!

Courtside with K

When: 4:30pm
Where: Tyler Indoor Pickleball

Events for the culture! Join us next Saturday for some pickle ball!!

Scare Affair 2026

When: 6pm-9pm
Where: Northeast Texas Community College, Mount Pleasant

Join us on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 6:00–9:00 PM for a spooky good time right here at NTCC! We’ll have tons of fun booths, yummy food and drinks, games, activities, and plenty of Halloween fun for everyone. Scare Affair is open to anyone and everyone, so bring your ghouls, goblins, zombies, ghosts, friends, family, and fellow Halloween lovers for a night of fun you can only find here at NTCC!

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.

Sweet Potato Festival Street Dance

When: 7pm
Where: Downtown Golden, TX

Join us at the golden pavilion on Oct the 24th for the annual street dance and concert!!! Music starts at 7 P.M. Music by Line 5.

Great Gatsby Halloween Party

When: 7pm
Where: Crossing Creeks Country Club, Longview

For members and guests of members

“Misery”

When: 7pm
Where: Henderson County Performing Arts Center, Athens

Next Stop Comedy

When: 7pm
Where: Elements by 456, Gun Barrel City

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.

Fleetwood Mac Tribute Concert

When: 7pm-9pm
Where: Serenade Range Concert Venue, Whitehouse

Spend a magical Saturday night under the stars at Serenade Range as Fleetwood X brings the timeless harmonies, iconic hits, and rock ’n’ roll spirit of Fleetwood Mac to life from 7–9pm on October 24.

SUNDAY,10/25

Jeepoween

When: 1pm
Where: Jim Hogg Park Quitman

There will be Halloween Games. Truck or Treat prizes for decorated vehicles. Come join us in the fun of Halloween!! We will be having Truck or Treat of ANY vehicles not just Jeeps! (Only $20 entry)

“Misery”

When: 2pm
Where: Henderson County Performing Arts Center, Athens

Pretty & Creepy Book Club

When: 2pm-4pm
Where: Reading in the Dark, Marshall

Pretty & Creepy Book Club is calling all thriller lovers, mystery solvers, and horror readers alike. Join us the last Sunday of every month at 2PM as we dive into chilling plots, shocking twists, true crime, psychological thrillers, and stories that keep you up at night.

Sime Bar Fun!

When: 3pm
Where: Frankston Park

Our SLIME BAR is rolling into Frankston Park, and the kids are going to LOVE it! Add creepy-crawly worms, eyeballs, spiders & spooky Halloween goodies! LOAD IT UP with tons of NEW charms and, of course… ALL THE GLITTER!

Spooky, Cute Cake Decorating Class

When: 4:30pm
Where: Cafe Ü Coffee House, Mineola

Come decorate your own cute spooky cake with pumpkins, ghosts, bats & spiders. Tickets are $120 a person, or $100 per person if signing up with a friend. Enjoy some refreshments and an amazing atmosphere provided by Cafe Ü

*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, 10/22

FRIDAY, 10/23

SATURDAY, 10/24

SUNDAY,10/25

*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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