Festival Park, 507 S. Pecan

A jam-packed weekend of celebrations and live music all over town begin Friday and end Monday night with a spectacular fireworks show.

visitnacogdoches.org

Downtown , Lafayette and Vale streets

At this old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration in the park, visitors can expect a pie auction, homemade ice cream contest, music, hot dogs, cool drinks, and a finale with a spectacular fireworks display reflecting in the Big Cypress Bayou.

visitjeffersontexas.com

Melon Patch Grounds, 100 Front St.

One of the biggest events in the area, the annual Watermelon Festival draws people from far and wide. There are watermelons aplenty, and these East Texas melons are as sweet as they come. The festival holds one of the biggest parades in northeastern Texas and includes a street dance, craft booths, a fully sanctioned PRCA rodeo, an antique car show, corn hole, horse shoes, food, and bingo.

facebook.com/naplesmelonpatch

Jefferson Convention and Visitor Center, 305 E. Austin St.

This event offers presentations, exhibits, and vendors for Civil War and history buffs. The symposium focuses on Jefferson and the surrounding areas and delves into how this region played a significant role during this unique time in the country's history. Friday includes a Speakers Reception, while Saturday has a seminar and lunch.

visitjeffersontexas.com/jefferson-texas-events

Huntsville Public Library , 1219 13th St.

This two-day event highlights helpful genealogical records and collections. A light supper is provided on Friday and the library remain opens until 8 p.m. for further research for attendees only. A silent auction of books and genealogical materials takes place during the weekend and ends at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

myhuntsvillelibrary.com

Downtown Huntsville, 1203 University Ave.

Touch a Truck is a great event for kids to climb on, learn about, and discover their favorite big trucks and vehicles, such as police vehicles, construction trucks, and fire trucks.

huntsvillemainstreet.com

Texas State Railroad, Palestine Depot, 789 Park Road 70

The casual grace of train travel never goes out of style. A historic steam locomotive is the muscle that pulls the cars representing a bygone form of notable travel. Five different accommodations are offered to savor the Texas State Railroad experience: Caboose, Presidential, Observation Dome, First Class and Open-Air Coach.

texasstaterailroad.net

Downtown , 400 N. Queen St.

Starting at historic Redlands Hotel, this event lets you explore historic downtown Palestine while admiring local artistic creations. Meet artists of various mediums and peruse through downtown shops and boutiques.

facebook.com/dogwoodartscouncil

Historic Jefferson Railway, 400 E. Austin St.

Celebrate Labor Day at the Historic Jefferson Railway. The train ride includes a stop at Diamond Don Gator Pit for alligator feeding. Come see the Support Our Troops display that honors the United States Military. Active Military personnel ride free.

jeffersonrailway.com

Downtown Atlanta, 101 N. East St.

The annual Moonlight Madness sale is an evening of shopping, specials, and activity in the streets of downtown Atlanta. Businesses stay open late, there's a local fashion show, plus live music and vendors.

Diamond Don's Rv Park and Events Center, 1602 SH 49 East

Diamond Don's annual motocross event is a nonstop weekend full of motocross adventure and legends. There's a charity golf outing on Wednesday, followed by a dual sport adventure ride on Thursday. Friday events include the cross country and vintage trials. Then the big races on Saturday and Sunday with motocross legends like Brad Lackey, Steve Wise, and Kevin Windham.

diamonddonempire.com

Texas State Railroad, Palestine Depot, 789 Park Road 70

The casual grace of train travel never goes out of style. A diesel locomotive is the muscle that pulls the cars representing a bygone form of notable travel. Five different accommodations are offered to savor the Texas State Railroad experience: Caboose, Presidential, Observation Dome, First Class and Open-Air Coach.

texasstaterailroad.net

Historic Bower's Mansion, 301 S. Magnolia St.

Until recently, no other paranormal group has been able to investigate this Texas Historic Landmark, and somewhat of a local legend.

hauntedrooms.com/texas/ghost-hunts/historic-bowers-mansion-palestine-tx 

Texas State Railroad, Palestine Depot, 789 Park Road 70

The train departs the Palestine Railroad Depot, and passengers go on a journey through the Piney Woods of East Texas while sampling the fine wines of Red 55 Winery, located in Lindale. Wine samplings are paired with appetizers that complement each wine. The train makes its way to Rusk Railroad Depot, guided by the moonlight, where it stops and guests have dinner.

texasstaterailroad.net

Walker County Fairgrounds, 3925 SH 30

Find an eclectic mix of merchandise from dealers who come from all over Texas and across the United States. From fine antiques to old farm tools, the items are why shoppers come here year after year to add to their collections.

huntsvilleantiqueshow.com

George H. Henderson, Jr. Exposition Center, 1200 Ellen Trout Drive

Presented by Brookshire Brothers, the 38th annual Texas State Forest Festival is back and better than ever. The festival is an East Texas tradition that attracts over 14,000 people to Lufkin and Angelina County with thrilling competitions, yummy festival food, fun carnival rides, and exciting shows.

texasforestfestival.com

Downtown Nacogdoches, 200 E. Main St.

The inaugural big-rig truck show of downtown Nacogdoches is full of tricked-out trucks for your viewing pleasure. All proceeds from the event go to finish the restoration of the Old Nacogdoches University Building and the local Boys and Girls Club. There are live performances by Joey Greer, Tony Justice, and J-Webb.

oldtownrigdown.com

Walker County Fairgrounds, 3925 SH 30 W.

More than 75 dealers from across the U.S. offer a wide array of antiques to suit every budget and taste. Finds include antiques, collectibles, vintage items, furniture, turquoise silver, and jewelry.

huntsvilleantiqueshow.com

Broadway Elementary Front Lawn, 200 Broadway Ave.

Shop arts and crafts, ceramics, dolls, needlework, jewelry, clothing, homemade goodies, and handcrafted items at the 49th annual festival.

facebook.com/gladewatercrafts

Downtown Jefferson

The main streets in Jefferson are closed to traffic to accommodate antique tractors, antique trucks, working and stationary antique engines, and swap meet vendors. The day includes a tractor parade, slow tractor race, swap meet, and awards. 

facebook.com/jeffersonantiquetractorshow

The challenge features loops of three distances: 35, 70, and 105 miles. All routes provide varied terrain. There are narrow primitive bridges, pot holes, animals, loose gravel, and other hazards. Check in is at Old Town Palestine.

visitpalestine.com

Tyler State Park , 789 Park Road 16

Diverse, single-track trails take you on an adventure through dense forests of 100-foot-tall pines in Tyler State Park. Be sure to watch your footing as you travel through rolling hills and across snaking tree roots with dense pine needle coverage. This race is an extremely underestimated challenge with the humidity, elevation, and technicality of the trails. Post race, you’re rewarded with a 64-acre, spring-fed lake that you can take a refreshing swim in while you rest and recover. Distance options are 5K, 10K, 25K, 50K, and 100K.

ultraexpeditions.com/piney-woods-ultra

Downtown Nacogdoches, 200 E. Main St.

Support local makers from the East Texas area while shopping from a selection of handmade goods and listening to live music.

facebook.com/artfestnacogdoches

Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church, 8720 Old Jacksonville Hwy.

Come see one of the largest pumpkin patches in East Texas. The eighth annual pumpkin patch showcases thousands of pumpkins and gourds. While shopping for pumpkins, enjoy free family activities including games, face painting, train rides, and family photos. All proceeds benefit Lanes Chapel ministries.

laneschapel.com

Caffe' Crema, 101 Sportsplex Drive

Caffe' Crema is holding its inaugural benefit run to support research for superficial siderosis (SS). SS is an ultra-rare neurodegenerative disorder that is usually misdiagnosed. Race distances are 5K, 10K, and an 18-mile trail race.

facebook.com/events/659408345114332

Diamond Don's Rv Park and Events Center, 1602 SH 49 East

See more than 300 people displaying over 150 of the finest vintage motorcycles anywhere in the country. Participate in field events, display your bike in the show, and ride in the Rolling Concours.

ntnoa.org

Centennial Park, 700 N. Main

Bring your loved ones for a family-friendly day of live music, vendors, a petting zoo, pony rides, good food, and bounce houses.

shophuntingtontexas.com

Runnels Street

Vendors, games for kids, concessions, shows, and a parade showcase the fun you can have in small town De Kalb.

dekalbtexasoktoberfest.org

Downtown Huntsville, 1203 University Ave.

For over 40 years on the first Saturday in October, the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce has hosted the annual tradition of Fair on the Square, featuring 400 booths of arts, crafts, food, and entertainment.

faironthesquare.com

Downtown , 400 N. Queen St.

Starting at the historic Redlands Hotel, this event lets you explore historic downtown Palestine while admiring local artistic creations. Meet artists of various mediums and peruse through downtown shops and boutiques.

facebook.com/dogwoodartscouncil

Historic Jefferson Railway, 400 E. Austin St.

Every Saturday in October, bring the family for these narrated day and night family-friendly train rides. The Halloween Express includes vignettes along the railroad track featuring “The Twisted Woods.” You may see a ghostly spirit or monster emerge from the swamplands of East Texas. While there may be a startle or two, this is not a scary train ride.

jeffersonrailway.com

The Historic Texas Theatre , 213 W. Crawford St.

This play by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields of Mischief Theatre Companym was a global phenomenon when it debuted in 2012, leaving audiences aching with laughter.

thetexastheater.com

Downtown Jefferson

Come for bikes, bands, and beer all weekend long. Centering around historic Auntie Skinners Riverboat Club, this event has bike games, a live auction, live music, a bike show, and a raffle for a brand new 2021 motorcycle. Sponsored by the Phoenix Organization of Jefferson and Brothers Keepers Motorcycle Club, the event benefits Percy R. Johnson Burn Foundation and Camp I'm Still Me.

easttexasburnrun.com

Northshore Park, 2505 Lake Woodlands Drive

The 10 for Texas is a 10-mile USA Track and Field sanctioned event held annually in The Woodlands each September. In conjunction with the 10-mile course are a 3.1 Armadillo Run 5K and a One 4 Texas Kids' Fun Run.

visitthewoodlands.com/10fortexas

Grand Central Park: Lake House, 1039 Lake House Drive

A wide selection of exhibitors bring the very best in boutique clothing, accessories, shoes, home decor, furniture, gourmet food, dips, sauces, art, yard decorations, and holiday items. The market is half handmade items and half manufactured items. All exhibitors are small business owners. Free admission and free parking.

bigtop.show/conroegrandcentral

Woods Park, 210 E. Hiram St.

Atlanta Local is a vibrant quarterly market where shoppers and creators can connect. A celebration of local talent, vendors are encouraged to showcase their homemade, handmade, and homegrown items right in the heart of the community. Crafts, furniture, food, produce, art, trinkets, and gifts are just some of the offerings.

Tyler Rose Garden, 420 Rose Park Drive

Since its beginning in 1933, the Texas Rose Festival has represented the spirit that brings Tyler together as a community. Rich in heritage and tradition, the festival offers enchanting ceremonial events such as the Queen’s Coronation, Ribbon Cutting and Rose Presentation, the Queen’s Tea, and the Rose Parade, all amidst a backdrop of brilliant roses as vibrant and colorful as the community they represent.

visittyler.com/texas-rose-festival

Rusk County Expo Center, 3303 FM 13 W.

The Rusk County Rodeo Association presents the 28th annual PRCA Rodeo. Top cowboys and cowgirls perform in the enclosed arena. Festivities include mutton bustin', rodeo clowns, a sheep chase, and a calf scramble. In the covered pavilion, find mechanical bull rides, a petting zoo, shopping vendors, and food.

Longview Museum of Fine Arts, 215 E. Tyler St.

Curated by Los Angeles art critic Peter Frank, this exhibition presents seven masterful painters from across the country pushing the boundaries of abstraction.

lmfa.org

Downtown Jefferson

The streets of downtown are closed off so Jefferson can showcase samples of local restaurants' favorite meals, accompanied by live music.

marioncountychamber.org

Downtown Nacogdoches, 200 E. Main St.

Join along for a weekend of '90s nostalgia featuring cover bands playing music from the Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Green Day. Food truck fare and adult beverages are available for purchase. Bring your own blankets and chairs.

visitnacogdoches.org/things-to-do/concerts-and-nightlife/full-moon-concerts

Palestine High School Auditorium, 1600 Texas 256 Loop 

This Branson-style music show is filled with family fun, laughter, and great classic country music from talented artists. Listen to some of the golden hits in country music performed live onstage.

dogwoodjamboree.com

Main Street District

The 2022 Hot Pepper Festival features a wide variety of vendors, food and drinks, music and other live entertainment, and, of course, the Hot Pepper Eating Contest. The event is held at the Main Street District, which is comprised of 44 blocks that extend from the courthouse square to the Depot Visitor Center.

visitpalestine.com

Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce, 210 E. Hiram St.

It's time to glow up with the annual 5K Glow Run and the Monster Mile kids' costume fun run.

atlantatexaschamber.com

Downtown Huntsville, 1203 University Ave.

This spooky festival offers games, activities, giveaways, crafts, and trick-or-treating for all ages. Get in the spirit and dress in your best Halloween costume to be entered into the costume contest.

huntsvillemainstreet.com

Jefferson Convention and Visitor Center, 305 E. Austin St.

This fun event is for anyone who enjoys history, mystery, the unexplained, and things that go bump in the night, with special guest speakers, vendors, tours, and night time investigations at some of Jefferson's historic, rumored haunted locations.

visitjeffersontexas.com

Downtown Nacogdoches, 200 E. Main St.

Head to the square for a colorful, cultural event that has become a Nacogdoches tradition. Expect excellent music, dance, food, drinks, and vendors all over downtown.

visitnacogdoches.org

Downtown , 400 N. Queen St.

Starting at the historic Redlands Hotel, this event lets you explore historic downtown Palestine while admiring local artistic creations. Meet artists of various mediums and peruse through downtown shops and boutiques.

facebook.com/dogwoodartscouncil

Depot Museum Grounds and Downtown Historic District, 514 N. High St.

The tradition of ribbon cane syrup making is commemorated at this festival. The highlight of the only folklife festival in East Texas is the syrup-making demonstration on the Depot Museum grounds. Experienced syrup makers operate the museum’s antique mule-powered equipment to produce old-fashioned cane syrup. While the syrup cooks, other folk artists demonstrate the techniques of lace making, rope making, basket making, blacksmithing, wood carving, quilting, and other old-time survival skills. Festivities also include folk singers, antique tractors, a petting zoo, food and drinks, cloggers and square dancers, and a melodrama at the Henderson Civic Theatre.

visithendersontx.com

Downtown Gladewater, 100 E. Commerce Ave.

The Gladewater antique district begins the holiday season with an open house. Stores stay open late and there's seasonal entertainment along with the lighting of the 20-foot-tall Christmas tree. Children can write their letters to Santa.

gladewaterchamber.org

Walker County Fairgrounds, 3925 SH 30

This market kicks off the holiday shopping season with a wide variety of antiques, boutiques, home décor, holiday décor, collectibles, jewelry, furniture, vintage, wreaths, crafts, and gifts.

huntsvilleantiqueshow.com

Texas State Railroad, Palestine Depot, 789 Park Road 70

The Palestine depot offers a festive holiday setting that features lights, tinsel, garland, and costumed characters sure to excite and inspire every child and adult, ages 2 to 92.

texasstaterailroad.net

The Texas Jailhouse, 704 Ave. A

He's mean, he's green, and he's in Palestine. This Christmas season don't miss a rare opportunity to come see Mr. Grinch in his Texas Jailhouse home in Palestine.

facebook.com/thetexasjailhouse

Heritage Place Park, 500 Metcalf St.

A wide selection of exhibitors bring the very best in boutique clothing, accessories, shoes, home decor, furniture, gourmet food, dips, sauces, art, yard decorations, and holiday items.

bigtop.show/conroetx

Historic Jefferson Railway, 400 E. Austin St.

Make this a Christmas to remember aboard the Christmas Express Train. The antique narrow-gauge gas locomotive has three departures each day. Passengers enjoy vignettes along the Cypress Bayou River as they hear the story of Christmas. Night vignettes are lighted, but no lights along the tracks.

jeffersonrailway.com

Downtown Nacogdoches, 200 E. Main St.

Downtown merchants are competing for bragging rights for the best holiday brew during Wassail Fest. Wassail, made from hot mulled cider and spices, is served at various locations in historic downtown Nacogdoches, and patrons vote on their favorites to determine the winner.

facebook.com/downtownnac

Downtown and Lions Park

After the parade, which travels through Jefferson and ends at Lions Park, stick around for the "Enchanted Forest" tree lighting ceremony. Be inspired as 100-plus beautifully decorated christmas trees light up and ring in the holidays. Festivities also include Christmas carol singing and a visit from Santa.

visitjeffersontexas.com

The Woodlands Country Club , 100 Grand Fairway Drive

Start your holiday shopping at this indoor and outdoor market where a wide selection of exhibitors bring clothing, decor, solid-wood furniture, art, Christmas decor, and foods such as dips, salsas, artisan chocolates, pastries, and canned vegetables. Admission and parking are free and strollers are welcome.

bigtop.show/thewoodlandscountryclub

Downtown Huntsville, 1203 University Ave.

Come to downtown Huntsville for Christmas performances, a special Christmas book reading for kids, snow, food, crafts, games, Santa Claus, and other holiday festivities.

huntsvillemainstreet.com