NOVEMBER

  November 3 - Kilgore
EAST TEXAS OILMAN’S CHILI COOK-OFF... Come join the fun as you taste all the entries and vote for your favorite in the Chili Cook-off, with over 75 entries participating. Location: World’s Richest Acre, Downtown Kilgore. Time: 11am-2pm. Sponsored by: Kilgore Community Crisis Center. Tickets: (903) 984-2377.

  November 12 - Henderson
HERITAGE SYRUP FESTIVAL... Discover mule-driven ribbon cane syrup-making “the old-fashioned way”, 150 arts & crafts booths, bluegrass concerts, hayride shuttles, cook-offs, antique tractors, pioneer skills demonstrations, children’s area & folk singers at the Depot Museum and Historic Downtown. (903) 657-4303 or (903) 392-8232. 

  November 14-17 - Kilgore
EAST TEXAS PIPE ORGAN FESTIVAL ... Four-day festival highlighting the land-mark Aeolian-Skinner pipe organs of East Texas and Shreveport. Festivities feature concert organists from across the nation, including Dr. Richard Elliott with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. FREE. (903) 984-1502.

  November 17 - Kilgore
CHRISTMAS IN THE OIL PATCH... This annual event is the beginning of the holiday season. The lighting of over 75 derricks & a giant Christmas tree takes place, as well as entertainment for the family. Location: World’s Richest Acre, Downtown Kilgore. Time: 6pm. No fee. Sponsored by: Kilgore Historical Preservation Foundation. For more info: (903) 984-1333.

  Nov 17-Dec 10 - Nacogdoches
NINE FLAGS CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL... East Texas’ largest lighted Christmas parade, fireworks, snow hill, holiday tour of homes, Christmas cooking show, breakfast with Santa, two movies in the park (How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Polar Express), Santa’s workshop, “Holiday in the Pines” shopping extravaganza, 5K run & bike ride. FREE. Downtown. info@visitnacogdoches.org. www.nineflagsfestival.com. 936-564-7351. 

  Nov 18-20, Dec 16-18, Jan 13-15 & Feb 17-19 - Livingston - TRADE DAYS ... Discover a wide array of Trade Days treasures at Pedigo Park—original artwork, crafts, collectibles, antiques & food. Free parking Friday & Saturday. On Hwy 59 North, just ¾-mile north of Hwy 190.  www.cityoflivingston-tx.com. (936) 327-3656. 

  November 18-19 - Mount Pleasant
“DECK THE HALLS” CHRISTMAS CRAFTS EXTRAVAGANZA... As the sights & musical sounds of Christmas fill the air, do your holiday shopping at this showcase of 60 vendors’ unique and tempting wares. info@mtpleasanttx.com. (903) 572-8567.

  November 19 - Crockett
30th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN CROCKETT... Enjoy the Christmas feeling the Saturday before Thanksgiving with over 200 arts & crafts booths, along with food vendors, entertainment and more. For vendor information, call (936) 544-2359.

  Nov 26 & Dec 2-3 - Sulphur Springs
CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK... Drive or walk through Heritage Park’s outdoor museum of historic buildings, which are beautifully decorated for the season. “Christmas Comes to Main Street” is Dec 2 with festivities on downtown’s square, & Dec 3 at the Christmas Light Parade. Free admission. (888) 300-6623 or (903) 885-5614. www.VisitSulphurSpringsTX.org.

  November 24-26 - Jefferson
RAIL OF LIGHTS CHRISTMAS TRAIN... Unforgettable rides aboard Historic Jefferson Railway, with its old-fashioned steam train. Departures Thurs/Fri/Sat & Sun. Passengers enjoy lighted scenes along Cypress Bayou while hearing about “Christmas Traditions Around the Globe”. (866) 398-2038. www.railoflights.com.

DECEMBER

  December 1-10 - Jefferson
29th ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES... Tour historic homes hosted by the Historic Jefferson Foundation, see the play “Miracle on 34th Street, ride the Rail of Lights Christmas Train & see the Old Fashioned Christmas Parade. (903) 665-3733. www.visitjeffersontexas.com. 

  December 3-4 - Sulphur Springs
NORTH EAST TEXAS CHORAL SOCIETY PRESENTS “BELIEVE!”... Topping off the Christmas Festival weekend is a concert by the North East Texas Choral Society at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. www.netchoral.org. (903) 885-8071 or (888) 300-6623.

  December 9-10 - Kilgore
KILGORE SNOW HILL FESTIVAL... Celebrate the season as we offer snow in Kilgore with Santa Claus, wagon rides, children’s activities, train rides, and Mt. Kilgore Snowhill. Downtown. Friday evening, 5pm-9pm & Saturday 10am-2pm. Free. (903) 984-5022.

FEBRUARY

  February 16-19, 2012 - Port Arthur
MARDI GRAS OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS... A spectacular Mardi Gras event featuring four days of costuming, parades, carnival, arts & crafts, concerts, floats, music, concessions & family entertainment in downtown Port Arthur.  www.mardigras.portarthur.com. (409) 721-8717.

MARCH

  March 10 - Buna
40th ANNUAL REDBUD FESTIVAL... Anticipated to be the most spectacular Redbud Fest since its inception 39 years ago! Salute springtime at Buna’s annual celebration with a parade, arts & crafts booths, musical entertainment, carnival rides and great food. Carnival is March 8-10. (409) 994-5586.

  March 13-18 - Nederland
NEDERLAND HERITAGE FESTIVAL... Celebrate the area’s Dutch and Cajun heritage with tournaments, carnival, arts & crafts booths, pageants, Cajun foods & museum tours. Downtown on Boston Avenue. In its 39th year! For more information: (409) 724-2269 or www.nederlandhf.org.

  March 23-April 8 - Tyler
53rd AZALEA & SPRING FLOWER TRAIL... Enjoy over ten miles of flowering gardens & beautiful historic homes in Azalea & Brick Street Districts. Also historic home tours, art & flower shows, living history tours, chili cook-off, ‘Spirits of Oakwood’ tours, flower market, arts & crafts & more! 1-800-235-5712, or www.TylerAzaleaTrail.com.

MAY

  May 3-6, 2012 - Jefferson
65th ANNUAL SPRING HISTORICAL PILGRIMAGE ... Tour historic homes hosted by the Garden Club, see the melodrama “Diamond Bessie Murder Trail”, Pilgrimage Parade, annual art exhibition & sale, crafts fair, Civil War reenactment, and Twilight Garden Stroll. 903-665-3733. www.VisitJeffersonTexas.com. v