Hop in the car and head to one or all of these East Texas festivals in your neck of the Piney Woods!
When you examine the most popular tourist towns in East Texas, you’ll probably find that you want to return. This region’s small, charming towns make East Texas so special. These towns have endured over time, drawing people in with their captivating natural landscapes, rich history, and irresistible charm. Here are East Texas festivals & events for 2026.
Whether attending a local food festival, enjoying live music, or exploring wildflowers, the combination of pleasant weather and exciting events makes it a top choice for those looking to immerse themselves in culture and entertainment. From large-scale celebrations to intimate gatherings, there’s always something happening, making every season the perfect time to visit.
East Texas Festivals & Events in 2026
With its vibrant atmosphere and welcoming community, East Texas offers something for everyone.
Spring Festivals in East Texas
Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration – Palestine, TX
The Dogwood Festival begins in March
See the history of dogwoods and all about the celebrations here – History Blooms At TX Dogwood Trails Celebration.
Tyler County Dogwood Festival – Woodville
March 21 to April 4, 2026. Each weekend has a different theme. Check it out at the Tyler County Dogwood Festival.
Piney Woods Wine Festival (Spring) Lindale, TX
Second Weekend in May every year!
Experience the wines of the Piney Woods for a weekend of exceptional wine tasting, great music, and unforgettable memories at the Piney Woods Wine Trail Festival! Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just discovering the joys of local wines, this event has something for everyone.
Held in the charming town of Lindale at Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square, this festival offers the perfect setting to explore a variety of local wines, meet the passionate winemakers, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
Downtown Wine Swirl – Nacogdoches
April 11, 2026, 5 to 9 pm.
The historic downtown transforms the city into a vibrant wine-tasting festival experience.
P-6-Farms Cinco de Mayo FIESTAval
May 2-3, 2026
Montgomery, TX
Summer Festivals in East Texas
Texas Blueberry Festival – Nacogdoches
Early Saturday in June
Check out the Texas Blueberry Festival in Nacogdoches (East Texas)
- Farm fresh blueberries for sale
- Blueberry pancake breakfast
- Lots of quilts
- Pick-your-own blueberries
- entertainment
- pet parade
- and so much more
Free Admission.
Piney Woods Quilt Fest Challenge
July 4, 2026
2026 Piney Woods Quilt Festival Challenge
Celebrate the Quarter Millennial, 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. Enter now!
The 2026 theme exhibit will be Log Cabin and/or Courthouse steps quilts. All quilts must be three layers (held together by quilting or tying) and have finished edges. Check it out on FB.
Memorial Day Weekend Dinner at Tara Winery (Athens)
May 25, 2026, at 7 pm.
Annual Harvest Event at Tara Winery in Athens, TX
July
The harvest event at Tara Winery will engage participants in helping harvest their 2026 Blanc du Bois grapes and offer rewards, including T-shirts, food, sangria, beer, and wine. The harvesting relay contest begins at 7:00 AM and will last approximately 3 hours, followed by brunch prepared by our chefs. Prizes will be awarded to the top 5 teams with the highest tonnage harvested.
This event is kid- and family-friendly, with plenty of room to compete, have fun, and enjoy the beauty of our stunning vineyard. Best of all, tickets are only $30 per person!
Fall Festivals in East Texas
East Texas State Fair, Tyler, TX
September 25 – October 4, 2026
The East Texas State Fair will take place in Tyler off Highway 64.
P-6 Farms – Montgomery, TX
Fall Festival is on weekends in October
North of Houston, P-6 Farms has been a family farm since 1973. It is one of the best, if not the best, U-pick-Em farms in southeast Texas—you-pick sunflowers. Its Fall Fest is always held from the end of September to the first weekend of November.
Texas State Forest Festival – Lufkin, TX
September 17-20, 2026
The Texas State Forest Festival is a cherished tradition in East Texas, uniting the community and showcasing the region’s rich culture and natural beauty. It appears to be a massive effort involving over 200 volunteers and thousands of hours. Have you attended the festival before, or are you planning to volunteer this year? Expect carnival rides, a car show, a kids’ area, and more.
Autumn Festival
October 11th, downtown Canton. See cantonmainstreet.org
Scarecrow Festival
October 11th, Chappell Hill in downtown. Find the event on Facebook.
Blueberry Ridge Farm Pumpkin Patch – Mineola, TX
The fall season opens from October 1 to November 1 on weekends.
Blueberry Ridge Farm Pumpkin Patch will offer an organic you-pick farm, hayrides, a corn maze, and a petting zoo with farm animals.
NatureFest Mineola
October, at the Mineola Nature Preserve
Friday – hot dogs, campfires, and a movie – 7:00-9:30 pm
Saturday – lots of activities – 8 am – 3:30 pm
Piney Woods Wine Trail Festival – Fall
October
In Lindale, TX, at the Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square.
Texas Bigfoot Conference
October, Jefferson, TX. Tickets on Eventbrite
Texas Rose Festival – Tyler, TX
Fall season 2026
Since 1933, the Texas Rose Festival has celebrated the rose industry with a parade, coronation, rose show, and arts and crafts show.
Harvest Festival
October, Woodville
East Texas Yamboree – Gilmer, TX
October
Whole family fun with a carnival, dances, exhibits, classic car show, antiques, parades, livestock show, craft shows, yam pie contest – can this festival get any better!! See Yamboree for more info.
Black-Eyed Pea Jamburgeree and Uncle Fletch Festival
October, Athens, TX
Athens – the Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World is hosting this festival again downtown.
Salmon Lake Park Bluegrass Festival
October in Grapeland. See slpbluegrass.com
Hot Pepper Festival
October, Downtown Palestine
Texas Butterfly Festival – Mission, TX
November
The Texas Butterfly Festival displays hundreds of butterflies, plants, and art.
Heritage Syrup Festival – Henderson, TX
November
The Heritage Syrup Festival will be in historic downtown Henderson at the Depot Museum.
Winnsboro Art & Wine Festival
November
Winnsboro Center for the Arts (WCA) invites you to raise a glass and savor creativity at the 16th Annual Art & Wine Festival in historic downtown Winnsboro. This FREE, two-day celebration perfectly blends fine art, Texas wines, irresistible food, and rich Texas music, making it the ideal fall weekend escape. The festival returns to The Bowery in downtown Winnsboro.
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