East Texas Christmas Parades, Markets & More Fun This Weekend

You can almost feel time slipping away as the rush gains momentum when it comes to Christmas shopping, with a little more than two and a half weeks until the big day East Texas shoppers will start to feel the pressure soon.

Congratulations to those of you who have already completed all of your shopping. There is still time to do so and to find those extra-perfect gifts at holiday markets and festivals this weekend.

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Although you'll most likely need an umbrella as you dodge some showers and rain that's in the forecast. With a lot of outdoor activities planned for this weekend, let's hope the rain doesn't cancel any of these great events.

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

For more information or to purchase tickets to listed ticketed events, click or tap on the event name to be redirected to their official page or website.

East Texas Christmas Parades

Saturday
various locations

Tap here for a complete list of parades happening across East Texas and to get to their official page with all information, including any alternate or rescheduled dates due to weather.

As of this writing parades are scheduled sometime Saturday in these cities:

Arp
Athens
Bullard
Canton
Chandler
Gilmer
Gladewater
Lufkin
Marshall
Mineola
Mt. Pleasant
Nacogdoches
Palestine
Whitehouse

With more parades scheduled for next week.

East Texas Christmas Light Parks

daily
various locations

Gather up the family, pack away some gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate, and make a road trip of it and enjoy the beautiful lights on display throughout East Texas by driving through one of the many Christmas Light Parks. You can find them in Tyler, Longview, Athens, and Marshall. Tap here for all the locations.

Santa's Bake Shopping

Saturday @ 10a
Lillie Russell Memorial Library - Lindale

This is the event and the place to get all of your holiday cookies and treats! On Saturday at 10 am we open our doors to Santa's Bake Shop where you can purchase delicious homemade cookies and bid on silent auction items while enjoying hot cocoa. Additionally, you can shop beautiful gift baskets sold by our Friends of the Library. For $5 your kids can play outdoor reindeer games while you enjoy live music from local performers. Photos with Santa will also be available for $10!

Santa's Bake Shop is a great opportunity to create wonderful Christmas memories. Please join us and support the Lillie Russell Memorial Library!

Christmas In Lindale 2024

Saturday @ 9a
Picker's Pavilion - Lindale

Enjoy Christmas in Lindale, when Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square is completely transformed into a Winter Wonderland! Your family is welcome to explore 10,000 square feet of beautiful Christmas vignettes and photo backdrops provided free of charge by the City of Lindale. ​While you're there, stroll through the lights in Darden Harvest Park. Adjacent to Picker's, Darden offers accessible routes to all areas of the park so that all children and adults, regardless of their abilities, can explore.
Load up your loved ones, grab your camera, and make it a Selfie Party! Celebrate Christmas in Lindale!

Christmas On Main

Saturday @ 9a
Whitehouse City Park - Whitehouse

This Christmas market will feature vendors, a parade, ice skating, live entertainment, caroling, and the lighting of the Whitehouse City Christmas tree.

Salt City Christmas

Saturday 10a-7p
N Main St - Grand Saline

It's a Christmas market full of vendors on Main St. Stroll the streets of downtown while sipping on a mug of hot chocolate. There will be breakfast with Santa, ornament making, and a lighted Christmas parade at 6.

Ice Skating @ Discovery Science Place

daily
Discovery Science Place - Tyler

Get ready to glide into fun with their new synthetic ice-skating rink opening Thursday, November 14th. It's an exciting addition that is perfect for everyone—from beginners to seasoned skaters. Lace up your skates and make unforgettable memories!

Canton Snow Day Festival

Saturday @ 3p
E Tyler St - Canton

Get ready for a winter wonderland in the heart of Canton! ❄️☃️
Join us for our annual Snow Day Festival, filled with frosty fun for the whole family. Enjoy a giant snow slide, bounce houses, and unforgettable memories with Santa. We've got plenty of surprises in store! When: December 7th from 3 PM until the Lighted Christmas Parade begins
Where: Downtown Canton, Texas
Don't miss out on this magical event!

Chandler's Holly Jolly Christmas

Saturday @ 4p
Chandler Park - Chandler

Join Us for a Festive Christmas Parade! Get ready to experience the magic of the season with our annual Christmas Parade! ✨ Mark your calendars and gather your loved ones for an evening of holiday cheer. The streets will come alive with dazzling floats, twinkling lights, and jolly sounds of the season.

But that’s not all! After the parade, enjoy delicious bites from a variety of food trucks, and stay tuned for even more exciting surprises to be announced soon. Bring your family and friends, and let’s make this a holiday to remember! More details to come, so keep an eye out. See you there!

2024 Fall Movies In The Park - Tyler

Saturday @ 6p
Tyler Rose Garden - Tyler

It is the final movie in the Fall Movies in the Park series! It's a classic that never goes out of style. Join us Dec. 7 @ 6 p.m. - Elf @ Tyler Rose Garden (Queen's Court)

Holiday Lights At The East Texas Arboretum

holiday season
Patterson Rd - Athens

Stroll the garden as lights and holiday décor enchant the pathway. Santa is taking over the Little Red School House as his ETX base of operations and will be available each night for photos! Tickets are sold at the gate. $20 per car of 1-10 passengers/$40 per vehicle of 10 or more passengers. 6:00 pm-9:00 pm. The last entry is at 8:00 pm! This is a ticketed event.

2024 Christmas Carnival @ YesterLand Farm

Friday - Sunday
I-20 - Canton

Visit us during our 2024 Christmas Carnival season for holiday family fun including:
Visit Santa
❄️ Snow Play Area
✨ Christmas Light Experience
Christmas Photo Ops
Pre Harvested Trees
Amazement Rides
Specialty Cocoa
with lots more fun, Christmas lights, and Christmas trees. This is a ticketed event.