Check out these 12 exciting and unique things happening in East Texas

This weekend, the fair and festival scene in East Texas is very lively. The Texas State Forest Festival begins Thursday in Lufkin and the 10-day East Texas State Fair begins Friday in Tyler.

If you’re looking for a live music festival, you must check out the first-ever Green Street Monster Festival in downtown Longview. This festival is all about the bridge eating semi-trucks, delivery trucks, and cement trucks for lunch!

Here’s a look at the events happening across East Texas this weekend.

For more information or to purchase tickets to the events listed, click or tap the event name to be directed to the event’s official page or website.

Texas State Forest Festival

Thursday – Sunday
George Henderson Exposition Center – Lufkin

There are plenty of competitions at the Texas State Forest Festival, in addition to rides and live shows, including the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, Off Axis Stunt Show, Scott’s World Of Magic, a car show, a BBQ contest, and many other competitions. There is also a 5K run, a wood carving exhibit, and more. Tickets are required for this event.

East Texas State Fair

Friday – Sunday, September 29
East Texas State Fairgrounds – Tyler

The East Texas State Fair has a new location this year – The Park at East Texas is the new home of the East Texas Fair. It is located at 11315 Hwy. 64 W, outside of Loop 323 in Tyler. This year’s fair is packed with rides, food, vendors and live entertainment. Pig racing, petting zoo, freestyle motocross show, glass blowing, concerts with Cody Canada and the Departed, Josh Ward, 80s Mix Tape and more! Don’t miss all your favorite rides and food. This is a ticketed event.

Gladewater Arts and Crafts Festival 2024

Saturday 10am-5pm
Downtown – Gladewater

Along Broadway Avenue in downtown Gladewater, booths of all kinds will be set up celebrating home and handmade crafts from East Texans and Texans from near and far. Shop for homemade goods, jewelry, unique handcrafted works, food, toys and more.

Art in the Park

Saturday 8am-10am
Marshall City Park – Marshall

Gather your family and immerse yourself in a whirlwind of FREE artistic adventures in our local parks year-round! Marshall Parks & Recreation and the Marshall Regional Arts Council have teamed up to bring a dash of creativity to our parks. Get ready for a nature-based arts and crafts extravaganza right in your neighborhood!

The Bullard Bluebonnet Festival

Saturday at 9am
Town Hall – Bullard

The Bullard Bluebonnet Festival is BACK! Join us on September 21, 2024 at the green in front of Bullard City Hall for a day of fun!

Gold rush in East Texas

Saturday at 8am
Bergfeld Park – Tyler

Run For A Cure. This will be a 1-mile fun run or a timed 5K. The run is for childhood cancer awareness. Tickets are required for this event.

Spooky Market

Saturday at 10am
E Methvin – Longview

Come join us for our spectacularly spooky small business market! ️
Get ready for a spooky and wonderful time at our September Small Business Scare Market! Come to The Platform on September 21st from 10am-4pm for a spooky and wonderful time filled with unique finds and spooky delights. It’s the perfect way to ring in the Halloween season and support local small businesses!
**What to expect:**
– A haunting selection of vendors offering spooky-themed crafts, art, clothing, accessories and more.
– Delicious snacks and spooky drinks to enjoy while you browse.

3rd Annual Family Freedom Festival

Saturday 10am-3pm
VFW Post 8924 – Palestine

Join us on September 21st for the 3rd Annual Family Freedom Festival!
Treat yourself to delicious food from food trucks
Groove to live music performances
️ Shop for unique finds from local retailers
Visit the petting zoo for furry fun
Bid on fantastic items at our silent auction
Bring the whole family for a day full of excitement and community spirit!

ArtFest Nacogdoches

Saturday 11am–4pm
Festival Park – Nacogdoches

ART is in the HEART of downtown Nacogdoches! Vendors, musicians and food in the square! ArtFest is an annual celebration of the art, the craft, the skilled and the unique that can only be found in the heart of East Texas, downtown Nacogdoches. Enjoy brunch at a restaurant on Main Street, then visit one of the 50+ booths offering everything from paintings to sculptures to textile art and more while enjoying live music on the Visitor Center stage.

Festival of the Green Street Monster

Saturday @ 12pm
Downtown Longview – Longview

The first annual Green Street Monster Fest is an all-ages* backyard barbecue event featuring a well-maintained vendor area, delicious food, thirst-quenching beverages, and (most importantly) stellar live music acts from around the country, including the event’s headliner and Dallas’ own band, The Polyphonic Spree. This is a ticketed event.

Monster Truck Wars

Saturday 12:00–19:30
Longview Rodeo Arena – Longview

Take the chance to ride in a REAL monster truck!
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! America’s wildest monster truck show is coming to LONGVIEW! We are excited to bring you a GREAT SUPERSTAR lineup of monster trucks and an exciting show! There will be TWO HUGE SHOWS for this event on September 21, 2024. Tickets are required for this event.

Purple Rain: Live Show

Saturday at 7pm
Liberty Hall – Tyler

Relive Prince’s cult classic with local dancers bringing the film’s dance moves to the Liberty stage for one night! In Purple Rain, a young musician tormented by abuse at home must deal with a rival singer, a budding romance, and his own discontented band as his star begins to rise.