Check Out The Fun At These 11 East Texas Events

(East Texas) Get ready for it: "The holidays will be here before you know it." That is the phrase we will be hearing a lot over the next three weeks as Thanksgiving quickly approaches, followed by Christmas four weeks later. We've all seen it: Christmas décor has been in Hobby Lobby since late August, and in Target and Walmart since late September, as retailers get ready for the big shopping season.

It happens in many East Texas homes: as soon as Halloween is over and the decorations come down, Christmas goes up! I know you've seen the TikTok videos on this. Just last night on my way home, I turned down my street and noticed my neighbor three doors down had flipped the switch on their newly‑installed outdoor Christmas lights. Now their house glowed with LED lights.

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I'll be honest with you, it seems as if my upcoming weekend is going to be spent in and out of the attic because my wife is itching to put up the Christmas tree and decorate the house. I’ll be making those trips up and down the attic ladder, but the outdoor lights and full‑sized reindeer will wait — because the inflatable turkey that says ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ is hitting the yard first!

Hopefully, during the attic‑unloading and decorating, we’ll take a break and get out of the house to enjoy another warm fall weekend. We plan to visit one of the last big outdoor festivals of the season — the annual Heritage Syrup Festival in Henderson. This huge event features arts and crafts, a car and tractor show, live music, syrup-making demonstrations, and, of course, lots of fair-style food and sweet treats!

Here's a look at what's happening this weekend in East Texas.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the ticketed events we’ve listed, click or tap the event name to go to their official page.

Heritage Syrup Festival

Saturday
downtown Henderson

More than 15 blocks of downtown Henderson will be covered with arts & crafts vendors, exhibitors, food booths, antique cars, musical entertainment, children's activities, and demonstrations as Henderson celebrates syrup!

Evans Huge Fall Carnival

through Sunday
Broadway Square Mall - Tyler

Come out to Broadway Square Mall for all the carnival fun. State fair-style rides, games, and fair food to satisfy any appetite. Purchase tickets to ride individual rides or go all out with an armband and ride all the rides you can handle!

Movies In The Park

Saturday @ 6p
Bergfeld Park - Tyler

Gather the family, some blankets, and snacks, and head to the amphitheater at Bergfeld Park on Saturday evening for a free movie. Tyler Parks and Recreation will be showing Despicable Me 4 on the big screen for free underneath the stars.

Mistletoe & Magic

Thursday - Saturday
2000 W Front St - Tyler

This is the holiday shopping event for East Texas that serves as a fundraiser for the programs supported by the Junior League of Tyler. The event features more than 75 vendors from across the nation offering unique crafts, gifts, gourmet foods, holiday decorations, gift ideas, clothing, and much more. This is a ticketed event.

Panola Push, Pedal, & Run 2025

Saturday 8a-2p
300 W Panola St - Carthage

This event is a blend of sport tourism and fundraising for the Panola County Chamber of Commerce. The event features a 100k Bike Race, a 5K, and a 1 Mile walk for any fitness level. Registration is required to participate.

Happy Holidays Bazaar

Saturday @ 9a
4202 S Broadway - Tyler

The annual Happy Holidays Bazaar is hosted annually by First Christian Church, Tyler. The one-day arts and crafts fair is held indoors and features vendors from all across East Texas showcasing and selling handcrafted goods, seasonal decor, specialty foods, woodworking creations, and so much more.

This is a fundraising event for the church.

Run For One 5k

Saturday 9a
410 W Cumberland Rd - Tyler

Run For One is now in its 10th year. This is a run to bring about awareness for Type 1 Diabetes patients. Proceeds of this run benefit those affected by type 1 diabetes. There is a registration fee to participate.

November Winter Market

Saturday 9a-12n
111 E Carnegie St - Winnsboro

The Winter Market in Winnsboro will feature fresh farm harvests, baked goods, homemade items, and more. Also happening are Christmas In The Park at the Winnsboro Civic Center and Art and Wine at the Bowery, too.

Jingle & Mingle

Saturday 9a-5p
5100 Chandler Hwy - Tyler

More than 50 local vendors will be on site with unique holiday gifts, creations, and food. Support small businesses, find that treasure, and make some magical holiday memories.

10th annual Flag Retirement Ceremony

Saturday @ 11a
1428 S Main St - Lindale

Lindale's Boy Scout Troop 351 and Cub Scout Pack 351 will be honoring US flags that have been proudly flown across East Texas with pride but have endured some wear and tear over time. They will respect the flag and retire it with dignity in a ceremony that will begin at 11 a.m.

Chili Cookoff and Dessert Auction

Saturday @ 6p
2665 Van Zandt CR 2404 - Canton

The Whitton Community Center will host the annual chili cookoff. Whip up your famous chili and hopefully win the bragging rights. There will be a dessert auction following chili judging. Get those recipes out and be creative. This is a fundraiser for the Whitton Volunteer Fire Department.

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