Good morning, Tyler!

Thanksgiving is almost here — hope you’re at least winding down a little before the big day.

Around town, you can really feel the holiday season kicking in with the usual traffic and shopping ramping up. But it’s also great to see how many people are giving back a little more than usual this year.

We’ve got a few interesting updates for you today, plus plenty of Thanksgiving and holiday events to get to.

As always, if you have feedback, an event we missed, or a story we should tell, just hit reply and let us know.

So without further ado, let’s dive into what’s happening in Tyler.

Tyler church + East Texas Food Bank teaming up for big Thanksgiving pantry
Green Acres Baptist Church and the East Texas Food Bank are hosting a special drive-thru pantry during Thanksgiving week, with boxes of pantry staples plus meat and produce for up to 1,200 households.
Read more

Brookshire’s Wildlife Museum reopens after 8-year hiatus
A Tyler childhood favorite is back: Brookshire’s Wildlife Museum has reopened in a new location behind FRESH by Brookshire’s on Arbor Ridge Drive, after being closed since 2017. The free museum features more than 150 animal displays, updated exhibits, and interactive elements like a replica 1920s grocery store where kids can compare prices then vs. now. Read more

New Smith County courthouse hits halfway mark
Crews have officially reached the halfway point on the new Smith County courthouse downtown, with the next big milestone being the installation of the dome. The project is a key piece of the long-term plan to modernize court facilities and anchor more investment around the square. Read more

Longview law firm giving away hundreds of smoked turkeys
Goudarzi & Young is back with its 7th annual smoked-turkey giveaway, handing out holiday turkeys in Longview and Gilmer over two days next week. Turkeys are first-come, first-served, one per vehicle—aimed at easing the cost of Thanksgiving for local families. Read more

Tyler urging shoppers to keep visiting downtown during construction
The City of Tyler is reminding folks not to let road work scare them off from downtown. In a new video, the city encourages East Texans to keep eating, shopping, and attending events around the square while construction is underway—pointing out that local businesses still rely on everyday foot traffic to stay healthy heading into the holidays. Watch now

DNA breakthrough in notorious 1983 KFC murders case
Rusk County officials say they’ve finally identified the last suspect in the 1983 Kilgore KFC murders, using modern DNA technology to tie a third person to the killing of five restaurant employees. Authorities plan to publicly release the suspect’s name, closing a major chapter in one of East Texas’ most infamous cold cases and offering a measure of closure to families who’ve waited more than four decades. Read more

🎅 Breakfast with Santa! (Bass Pro Shops) | Bass Pro Shops | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 9:00–10:30am | Learn more
Family breakfast at Bass Pro with Santa on site for photos and visits. Reservations required via Bass Pro, but open to the public.

👧🧒 Acton Tyler Children’s Business Fair | ETX Brewing | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 3:00–6:00pm | Learn more
Outdoor “kid-run market” where young entrepreneurs (ages 5–17) set up booths and sell their own products. Free to attend and shop; booth fees apply for kid vendors.

🦃 Mom Collective – Tyler Friendsgiving | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 11:00am–1:00pm | Learn more
A Friendsgiving gathering for moms who foster, adopt, or care for kids through kinship placements — potluck style, with a provided main protein and guests bringing sides/desserts. Open to all moms in those roles (no membership required).

🎭 Tyler Comic Con 2025 | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 10:00am–6:00pm; Sun, Nov 23 – 11:00am–5:00pm | Learn more
Regional pop-culture convention featuring comics, anime, gaming, cosplay and vendors. Open to the public with day/weekend passes.

🚗🎁 Holiday Cars & Coffee + Toy Drive at Detailing World | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 8:00am | Learn more
Car meet plus toy drive — bring a new toy to donate and hang out with local car enthusiasts.

🚘 Pride Family Benefit Car Show | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 8:00am–2:00pm | Learn more
Benefit car show to support a Tyler PD officer’s child battling brain cancer. Open to spectators; entry fee for show cars.

📚 Preschool Storytime | Tyler Public Library | Tyler | Thu, Nov 20 – 10:30–11:15am | Learn more
Stories, songs, and early literacy activities for preschool-age kids and their caregivers. Free and open to the public.

🏃‍♂️ Gobbler 5K & Half Marathon at Southside Park | Southside Park | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 8:00am | Learn more
5K and half marathon on the greenbelt at Southside Park. Registration required; spectators are welcome.

🍼🏆 Rose City Dad Bowl | Rose City Wellness | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 9:00am–2:00pm | Learn more
Family-friendly competition where dads compete in stroller sprints, diaper dashes, and other “dad games,” with BBQ, prizes, and fundraising for Rose City Wellness. Spectators welcome; nominal fee for dad competitors.

🌲 Intro to Birding – Tyler State Park | Tyler State Park | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 12:00pm | Learn more
Ranger-led introduction to birding basics at Tyler State Park; park entry fee applies, but the program itself is open to all visitors.

🦃 Tyler Turkey Trot | Racquet & Jog | Tyler | Thu, Nov 27 – 7:00am | Learn more
Thanksgiving morning fun run with multiple distances, organized locally and open to the public with advance registration.

🎭 A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Tyler Civic Theatre | Tyler Civic Theatre | Tyler | Thu–Sun, Nov 20–23 (final performances; evenings & some matinees) | Learn more
Ongoing; final performances Nov 20–23 (evenings & some matinees). Condensed adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic comedy; ticketed but open to the public.

🩰 Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet | Belcher Center | Longview | Thu, Nov 20 – 7:00pm | Learn more
Touring Nutcracker production with full ballet company, elaborate sets, and holiday music.

🎨 Paint & Sip – “City of Stars and Light” | Pinot’s Palette | Tyler | Fri, Nov 21 – 7:00pm | Learn more
Guided painting session with drinks available for purchase; open to all 21+ (or per studio policy).

🌙 Paint & Sip – “Moon Over the Pines” | Pinot’s Palette | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 7:00pm | Learn more
Another themed paint & sip night with step-by-step instruction.

⛄ Paint & Sip – “Snowman’s Wish” | Pinot’s Palette | Tyler | Sun, Nov 23 – 5:00pm | Learn more
Holiday-themed canvas painting class, suitable for beginners.

🖼️ Ongoing Exhibits – Tyler Museum of Art | Tyler Museum of Art | Tyler | Through Nov 30 (open during museum hours) | Learn more
Making A Mark: Women in Early Texas Art Assembled: A Look at Contemporary Collage Both exhibitions are open to the public with regular museum admission.

🖼️ Featured Artist Exhibit: Jennifer Moreman | Gallery Main Street | Tyler | Open through November (gallery hours) | Learn more
A solo exhibition of Jennifer Moreman’s work at Gallery Main Street.

 🎹 J’s Dueling Pianos | Blackhawk Creek Grill & Venue | Whitehouse | Thu, Nov 20 – 7:00pm | Learn more
High-energy, all-request dueling-piano show; audience sing-along and interaction encouraged.

🎸 Tuxedo Cats – Variety Covers at Serenade Range | Serenade Range | Whitehouse | Fri, Nov 21 – 7:00pm | Learn more
Outdoor(ish) concert with a cover band playing a wide variety of hits.

🎷 Brunch with Patrick James @ The Grove | The Grove | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 10:30am | Learn more
Live music over weekend brunch service in the garden setting at The Grove.

🎸 Jon Kott Band | Rick’s on the Square | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 9:00pm | Learn more
Country party band bringing a high-energy show; 21+ bar venue.

🎸 Pat Green: Up Close & Personal | Blackhawk Creek Grill & Venue | Whitehouse | Fri, Nov 28 – 7:00pm | Learn more
Intimate acoustic trio show from Texas country artist Pat Green. Ticketed but open to the public.

🎤 Derek Gaines – Stand-Up Comedy | Rose City Comedy | Tyler | Fri, Nov 21 – 7:00pm | Learn more
National-touring comedian performing an evening stand-up set; 18+ event.

🤣 John Crist: Jokes for Humans | UT Tyler Cowan Center | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 7:30pm | Learn more
Touring stand-up show by Christian comedian John Crist at the Cowan Center. Ticketed but open to the public.

🤣 Billy Wayne Davis – Stand-Up Comedy | Rose City Comedy | Tyler | Fri, Nov 28 – 6:00pm & 8:00pm | Learn more
Two stand-up sets (early and late shows) from Billy Wayne Davis; shows are 18+ per venue listing.

🎄 Festival of Wreaths Auction | Azalea Trails Assisted Living & Memory Care | Tyler | Fri–Mon, Nov 21–24 (multi-day silent auction; times vary — see event page) | Learn more
Beautiful decorated wreaths on display and up for auction, benefiting residents and programming at Azalea Trails. Open to the community.

🧸 Small Business Showcase | Tyler | Sat, Nov 22 – 10:00am | Learn more
Vendor market featuring local small businesses and makers east of Tyler; family-friendly and open to walk-up shoppers.

✨ Lights of Kiepersol (Holiday Lights Kickoff) | Kiepersol Winery, 21508 Merlot Ln | South of Tyler | Fri, Nov 28 – 6:00pm | Learn more
Annual tradition where the vineyard and grounds are lit up for the season.

That's it for this week.

If you enjoyed this edition, share it with a friend or neighbor and help us get more locals plugged in.

And if we missed something, or you’ve got an event or story we should feature, just reply to this email — we really do read every response.

Whether you’re hosting, traveling, or keeping things low-key at home, we hope you have a safe, restful, and happy Thanksgiving.

Eric
From Tyler