NOVEMBER

  November 1-January 4 - Tyler
SANTA LAND DRIVE-THROUGH CHRISTMAS PARK... Experience a magical Christmas wonderland of over 2.5 million lights as you drive your own vehicle through 24 acres of adventure. Open nightly 6-10:30pm. $20 per car or $30 per commercial van.  Located on I-20, east of Hwy 69, at Exit 557. Visit www.santalandtexas.com or call (903) 882-1518.

  November 5 - 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 13-15 & December 18-20 - Livingston
THIRD MONDAY TRADE DAYS... Discover a wide array of Trade Days treasures at Pedigo Park on Hwy 59 Bypass! Original handcrafted artworks, collectibles, crafts, antiques & foods. Open weekends year-round. Free admission. Booths available. (936) 327-3656. www.UBHOOKD.com.

  November 14 - Henderson
HERITAGE SYRUP FESTIVAL... Discover mule-driven ribbon cane syrup-making “the old-fashioned way”, 150 arts and crafts booths, bluegrass concerts, hayride shuttles, cook-offs, antique tractors, pioneer skills demonstrations, kid’s area and folk singers at the Depot Museum & Historic Downtown. (903) 657-4303 or (903) 657-6551.

  November 19 - Kilgore
CHRISTMAS IN THE OIL PATCH... This annual event is the beginning of the holiday season. The lighting of over 75 derricks and 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) 984-3038.

  November 19 to January 1 - Kilgore
HOLIDAY TRAIL OF LIGHTS WINTER-FEST... Two states and six cities are involved, all within a one-hour drive of each other. The Holiday Trail of Lights offers millions of lights in Downtown Kilgore. Free. (903) 984-5022.

  November 20-21 - Mount Pleasant
“DECK THE HALLS” CHRISTMAS CRAFTS EXTRAVAGANZA... As the sights and musical sounds of Christmas fill the air, do your holiday shopping at this show-case of 60 vendors’ unique and tempting wares. info@mtpleasanttx.com. (903) 572-8567.

  November 20-21 - Milam
MILAM SETTLERS DAY... Celebrate historic Milam, “the gateway to Texas” on the old El Camino Real, during this two-day event. There will be early-Texas demonstration camps, 150+ vendors selling their wares, chili/gumbo cook-offs, all-day entertainment, and tours of two on-site 1800s buildings. Highlighting this 16th annual event will be grand prize give-a-ways and “Milam’s Little Pioneer” contest. Junction of Hwys 21 & 87. (409) 787-4472.

  November 20-22 - Sulphur Springs UPRA FINALS RODEO... The Hopkins County Civic Center presents UPRA Rodeo events for Finals competitions. Come join the fun!  www.VisitSulphurSpringsTX.org. (888) 300-6623 or (903) 885-5614.

  November 21 - Crockett
28th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN CROCKETT... Enjoy the Christmas feeling the Saturday before Thanksgiving with over 200 arts and crafts booths, along with food vendors, entertainment and more. For vendor information, call (888) 269-2359.

  November 28 & December 4 - Sulphur Springs - CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK AND CHRISTMAS COMES TO MAIN STREET... Drive or walk through Heritage Park’s outdoor museum of historic buildings, which are beautifully decorated in the finery of Christmas on Nov 28 and Dec 4. Enjoy downtown holiday festivities on the Square on Dec 4. Free admission. 416 N. Jackson. Sponsored by Hopkins County Historical Society. www.VisitSulphurSpringsTX.org. (888) 300-6623. (903) 885-2387.

DECEMBER

  December 3 & December 5 - Longview
CHRISTMAS PARADE, BREAKFAST WITH SANTA, AND LIVING HISTORY CHRISTMAS… Downtown Longview presents its holiday parade Dec 3 (6:30pm-10:00pm). Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for breakfast on Dec 5 (9am-11am), and get your photo made with them! Also decorate cookies and ride to the Historical Museum in a mule-drawn wagon to see their train exhibit and holiday décor. On December 5, the Gregg County Historical Museum is filled with actors in period costumes, a dulcimer player, lace maker, blacksmith, weaver and mule-drawn carriage rides. (903) 237-4021.

  December 3-5 & Dec 10-12 - Jefferson  27th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CANDLE-LIGHT TOUR OF HOMES...Enjoy tours of four historic homes decorated for the holidays in natural greenery and led by docents in period attire. Christmas choirs and hand-bells offer melodies from on high. (903) 665-2672. www.jefferson-texas.com.

  December 5 - Sulphur Springs
CHRISTMAS LIGHT PARADE... The city presents a spectacular holiday lighted parade on the Downtown Square. www.VisitSulphurSpringsTX.org. (888) 300-6623 or (903) 885-2387.

  December 5 - Sulphur Springs
NETX CHORAL SOCIETY PRESENTS “A HEAVENLY CHRISTMAS”... Civic Center. www.VisitSulphurSpringsTX.org. (888) 300-6623. (903) 885-2387.

  December 10-13 - Longview
ARTSVIEW CHILDREN’S THEATRE PRESENTS “IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE”… Enjoy theatrical performances at 7pm Dec 10-13, as well as additional performances at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday. Longview Community Center. Tickets $12 in advance/ $15 at the door. For more info & tickets: www.artsviewchildrenstheatre.com or call (903) 236-7535.

  December 11-12 - Kilgore
MT. KILGORE SNOWHILL... Come celebrate the season as we offer live entertainment with Santa Claus, wagon rides, children’s activities, churches and downtown merchant’s open house and Mt. Kilgore Snowhill. Downtown Kilgore. Friday evening 5pm-9pm & Saturday 9am-3pm. Free. (903) 984-5022.

FEBRUARY

  February 5, 2010 - Cooper
HARLEM AMBASSADORS BASKETBALL SHOW... Harlem-style basketball featuring slam dunks, ball-handling tricks and hilarious comedy. Play against a team of local leaders and hometown heroes. Only show in entire region. Cooper High School Gym, 7pm. For info, contact Delta County Chamber: e-mail deltacounty@neto.com, (903) 395-4314, or visit www.deltacounty.org.

  February 11-14 - Port Arthur
MARDI GRAS OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS ...A spectacular Mardi Gras event featuring four days of costuming, parades, carnival, arts & crafts, concerts, floats, music, con-cessions & family entertainment in downtown Port Arthur. (409) 721-8717. Website: www.mardigras.portarthur.com.

MARCH

  March 9-14 - Nederland
NEDERLAND HERITAGE FESTIVAL ...Celebrate the area’s Dutch and Cajun heritage with tournaments, carnival, arts & crafts booths, pageants, Cajun foods and museum tours. Downtown on Boston Avenue. (409) 724-2269 or www.nederlandhf.org.