Best Festivals & Events to Check Out in East Texas This Weekend – April 18

(East Texas) One of the greatest things about spring weekends in East Texas is the numerous festivals nearly every weekend. These festivals have a wide variety of themes, but they all have the same thing in common - community. East Texas festivals allow the community to come together, support, and get to know each other.

What You’ll Find at Local Festival Markets

East Texas festivals are full of local vendors and farmers who are hoping to sell their creations and home-grown goods. You can find homemade soaps, baked goods, woodcarvings, blankets, candy, jewelry, home decor, candles, and so much more. When you're craving a strawberry whipped cream-topped funnel cake, all you need to do is look for a festival near you.

Festival Foods You Have to Try

These festivals feature wild foods to excite your taste buds, along with county fair staples like corn dogs, turkey legs, cotton candy, fresh-squeezed lemonade, funnel cakes, and more. Then there's the unique fried foods too - deep fried ice cream, Oreos, Snickers, and basically anything else you can cover in a batter and deep fry it, including Dr Pepper!

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More Than Food: Rides and Entertainment

While checking out the sights and maybe riding some carnival rides too at these festivals, there is always people watching, one of my favorite activities in the world to do. Just sit back and watch people as they move around the festival, watching how they interact with others. It's truly mesmerizing to watch!

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

For more information or to purchase tickets for any ticketed event listed, click or tap the event name to go to its official page for tickets and additional information.

Spring Carnival at Broadway Square Mall

daily through Sunday
Broadway Square Mall - Tyler

The spring carnival is in town with thrills waiting for the whole family. There will be family rides to thrill rides, games, and of course, carnival food too! Get those unlimited ride wrist bands! There is an admission fee to ride the rides and play games. Weather permitting.

East Texas Gusher Days

Friday and Saturday
downtown Gladewater - Gladewater

This unique festival will take over downtown Gladewater and spill across the railroad tracks and down Hwy. 271 too. Gusher Days features an arts and crafts fair, car show, chili cookoff, kids' activities, and more. Bring your appetite because there will be lots of food, a chair so you can sit back and listen to all the live music, and your cheering spirit to encourage those in all the competitions.

Tyler Film Fest 48-Hour Movie Challenge

Friday through Sunday
Liberty Hall downtown Tyler - Tyler

Tyler Film Fest is challenging all aspiring filmmakers to create a five-minute movie within 48 hours. Participants will be assigned a genre, required dialogue, and at least one character name by the Tyler Film Fest committee. Competition ends Sunday at 6 p.m. All submitted movies will be screened for the public to see on Tuesday evening. There is a participation fee for this event.

Avalon Medieval Faire

Saturday and Sunday
10746 FM 1252 - Kilgore

See live medieval combat. Shop vendors, crafts, and curiosities. Try your luck at games of skill like axe throwing, arrow shooting, and spear throwing. There will be live music, mischief, and merriment. There is an admission fee for this event.

Tyler Shredding Event

Saturday 8a-12n
6115 New Copeland Rd - Tyler

Bring in all of the old documents that you need shredded, and they will be shredded for free at the offices of Better Business Bureau Central East Texas. No boxes or papers in boxes. Limit of three trash bags of paper.

READ MORE --> Your Ultimate Guide To All The 2026 East Texas Spring Festivals

Spring Markets

Saturday 8:30a-3:30p
14055 US Highway 79 - Jacksonville

People's Church of Jacksonville is hosting a Spring Market. Local vendors, coffee, food, and lots of fellowship and community connection. Shop local vendors for some unique finds.

East Texas Poultry Trades Days

Saturday 9a-3p
1302 US Highway 271 N - Gilmer

This is the 10th year for the East Texas Poultry Trades Days. This is a great shopping opportunity with more than 60 vendors on site, there will be something for everyone. There will be a wide variety of poultry and farm animals, handmade crafts, and plants with activities for the kids. It's perfect for homesteaders, hobby farmers, and a fun outing for the family.

5k Bubble Run

Saturday @ 10a
11684 Barber Rd - Winona

Get ready for some fun at the family-friendly Bubble Run followed by the Foam Party. Run, jog, or walk your way through the 5k course and enjoy the views, music, and bubbles! There is a registration fee to participate. There are many other activities to participate in and then relax in the heated lazy river.

National Go Fly A Kite Days

Saturday 10a-3p
309 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd - Tyler

Families, neighbors, and the community are invited to fly a kite! Bring your own kite to the Empowerment CDC Complex and fly your kite with other community members. This is a free event.

Lindale Family Farm Days

Saturday 10a-4p
17964 CR 480 - Lindale

It's the grand opening and the beginning of a new family tradition. It's strawberry season, y'all. Come out and pick your strawberries, eat from local food trucks, shop with local vendors, and play some lawn games with your family.

Light The Way 5k

Saturday @ 5p
2447 Earl Campbell Pkwy - Tyler

Light the Way 5K: Walk On Rock On for Mental Wellness is more than a race. It is a movement to shine a light on mental wellness, suicide prevention, and community support. Together, we are fostering hope, awareness, and resiliency while making meaningful connections.

More Than a Run: An Experience That Inspires - After crossing the finish line, stay for live music and an inspiring speaker session featuring:

Hawkins Movie Night Fundraiser

Saturday @ 7:30p
Hawkins City Baseball Park - Hawkins

Join us at the baseball fields for a community movie night on the fields! Tickets will be $6 per person and include a hot dog and a drink meal. Popcorn and candy will be available for purchase. Bring your chairs and blankets! All funds made will be used for the youth of Hawkins Youth Sports Association!

Touch-A-Truck

Sunday 1p-4p
100 E Houston St - Marshall

Originally scheduled for Saturday, this event has been moved to Sunday due to forecasted rain on Saturday.

Dozens of vehicles will surround the Historic Harrison County Courthouse and Telegraph Park again, including 18-wheelers, first-responder cars, SWAT vehicles, an Army vehicle, tow trucks, a school bus, a trash truck, construction equipment, boats, and many more. Your children will talk with the drivers and learn more about careers in our community.

Children and families will also enjoy booths offering free crafts and activities from free summer programs, schools, non-profit organizations, churches, and businesses. Food trucks will be available for a fee. The event is free to attend.