Looking for things to do in Southeast Texas this weekend? From the Autumn Fair at Shangri La and Lamar's homecoming tailgate to a silent Phantom of the Opera with a live organ and a Sunday full of trunk-or-treats, there's plenty happening around Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur and Port Neches from Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25, 2026.
We found 22 events and places worth checking out this weekend, including plenty of free things to do, Halloween fun for the kids and a few good nights out. The weather helps too: it's dry and mostly sunny all weekend, with highs around 80.
← Part of our Things to Do in Southeast Texas guide
Want what's always open rather than what's on this week? See Weekend Things to Do in Southeast Texas: What's Actually Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday →
Photo: Shangri La Botanical Gardens
1. Walk Through Haunted Betty After Dark
Where: Southeast Texas Stages, 4155 Laurel St., Beaumont
When: Friday and Saturday, 10 PM to midnight
Price: $15
Want to start the weekend with a scare? Southeast Texas Stages has turned its black box theatre into Haunted Betty, a walk-through haunted house that runs for one month only. This weekend it opens late, from 10 PM to midnight, so it suits teens and adults.
Your ticket is good any time during open hours on the date you pick, and members get 20% off. Buy tickets from the theatre. It's back October 30 and 31, with a lights-on version on Halloween afternoon.
2. See Tracy Byrd Play a Hometown Show at Belle Oaks
Where: The Venue at Belle Oaks, 15075 Country Club Dr., Beaumont
When: Friday; doors 6 PM, opener 7 PM, Tracy Byrd 8 PM
Price: $75 general admission · $99 reserved · $250 front-row VIP, plus fees
Country fans, this one's for you. Tracy Byrd headlines the Bayou Live Concert Series, returning home for the first time in two years.
Seating is limited and sold first come, first served, so buy early and buy from the venue's ticket page rather than a reseller. Questions go to (409) 540-8247.
3. Catch a Halloween Classic at the Jefferson Theatre
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress
Where: Jefferson Theatre, 345 Fannin St., Beaumont
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday; doors 6 PM, film 7 PM
The Jefferson's 13 Nights of Halloween series has a different film every night this weekend. Friday is the 1925 silent The Phantom of the Opera, shown with an organ concert. Saturday is The Rocky Horror Picture Show, rated R, and Sunday is The Addams Family, the easiest pick if you're bringing older kids.
Tickets are at the Beaumont Civic Center box office, on Ticketmaster and at the door while they last. Call the box office at (409) 838-3435, or see the City's events calendar.
4. Follow Alice Down the Rabbit Hole at Lamar
Where: University Theatre, Lamar University, Beaumont
When: Friday and Saturday, 7:30 PM; Sunday, 2 PM
Lamar Theatre and Dance is staging The Wonder in Alice, directed by Kate Brennan. It tells Alice in Wonderland from a young adult's point of view, set inside Alice's imagination, and Lamar calls it suitable for younger audiences.
Saturday is homecoming, so give yourself extra time to park for the evening show. The Sunday matinee is a good family pick. Buy tickets through Lamar's box office. The show runs again October 29 to November 1.
5. Take Home a Free Pumpkin From Shangri La's Autumn Fair
Where: Shangri La Botanical Gardens, 2111 W. Park Ave., Orange
When: Saturday, 10:30 AM to 3 PM (Scarecrow Festival also open Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM)
Price: Free
This is one of the best family picks of the weekend. The Autumn Fair has pumpkin decorating, hayrides, a scavenger hunt, an obstacle course, critter encounters and an Outpost Tour with a pontoon boat ride on Adams Bayou. It's also your last chance to vote among more than 50 scarecrows before the winners are announced that afternoon.
Stay past 3 PM: leftover pumpkins go home with visitors, up to three each. Shangri La is closed Sunday, and the festival ends Saturday. Event details.
6. Play at Ghosts, Goblins and Gardens
Where: Beaumont Botanical Gardens, 6088 Babe Zaharias Dr., Beaumont (Tyrrell Park)
When: Saturday, 10 AM to 3 PM
Price: Free
The Beaumont Botanical Gardens holds its sixth Ghosts, Goblins and Gardens on Saturday, with games, crafts and live entertainment set around the gardens in Tyrrell Park. It's free and open to the public.
Make a morning of it: the Beaumont Farmers Market runs 8 to 11 AM at 6525 College St., and it's a short drive from there to the park. Event details.
7. Tailgate for Lamar's Homecoming Game
Photo: 2C2K Photography, CC BY 2.0
Where: Plummer Lawn and Provost Umphrey Stadium, Lamar University, Beaumont
When: Saturday; tailgate 11 AM to 2 PM, kickoff 3 PM
Price: Tailgate free
It's homecoming at Lamar. The Boomtown Tailgate on Plummer Lawn has free children's activities, lawn games and rides, then the Cardinal Walk comes down East Virginia Street at 12:15 PM. The Cardinals kick off against Houston Christian at 3.
The Dishman Art Museum also has free art events from 10 AM to 4 PM. Get to campus before noon for the rides, because parking fills fast on homecoming day. Game details are on the Cardinals schedule.
8. Look Over Classic Cars at Big Red's Ride
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress
Where: Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, 5550 Jimmy Simmons Blvd., Beaumont
When: Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM
Price: Free
Part of Lamar's homecoming weekend, the Big Red's Ride Classic and Antique Car Show parks restored cars from area car clubs among the replica 1901 oil boom buildings at Spindletop-Gladys City.
The car show is free. If you want to go inside the museum buildings, regular admission applies: $5 adults, $3 seniors 60 and up, $2 ages 6 to 12. It's an easy stop on the way to the tailgate. Event details.
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Subscribe free →9. Ride the Ivory Bill Down the Neches
Photo: Neches River Adventures
Where: Collier's Ferry Park, 5390 Pine St., Beaumont
When: Saturday, 10 AM to noon
Price: $26.50 adults · $21.20 seniors 65+ · $15.90 ages 4 to 12 · Free ages 3 and under
Saturday morning is a great time to get out on the river. Neches River Adventures takes the Ivory Bill on a two-hour public tour through bottomland forest, and proceeds go to the Big Thicket Association.
The boat holds 30, and you'll need to book and pay online ahead of time. Book by Friday afternoon: the tour runs only if at least six people have signed up by 4 PM Friday. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are welcome on board.
10. Hunt for Pumpkins at Village Creek State Park
Where: Village Creek State Park, 8854 Park Road 74, Lumberton
When: Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM to 3 PM
Price: $4 ages 13 and up · Free ages 12 and under
If you have kids who need to burn off some energy, try the Great Village Creek Pumpkin Hunt. Pumpkins are hidden around the park, so you'll have to look high and low along the trails. Bring the one you find to park headquarters for a small prize.
The $4 is the park's regular entrance fee. Wear closed shoes for the trails. It's one of the few outdoor picks open on Sunday too. Event details or call (409) 755-7322.
11. Make a Day Trip to Whispering Grove Faire
Where: Whispering Grove Faire, 2785 FM 770, Kountze
When: Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM; Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM
Price: $12 adults 16+ · $6 ages 6 to 15 · Free ages 5 and under
Up for a short drive? About 30 minutes north of Beaumont, Whispering Grove Faire opens its season this weekend with pirates, Vikings and fantasy characters, plus magicians, musicians and shops of handmade wares along shaded paths. There's a campfire gathering after dark.
Your day pass allows re-entry, and the faire runs Saturdays and Sundays through November 15. Buy tickets online.
12. Shop and Trick-or-Treat at Crazy Cajun
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Photo: EvanCarroll, CC BY-SA 4.0
Where: Crazy Cajun, 2310 N. 11th St., Beaumont
When: Saturday, 1 to 5 PM
Price: Free for kids
Saturday afternoon, Crazy Cajun hosts a Trunk or Treat and Vendor Show for the whole family, benefiting Ray's Hope Charity.
Put the kids in costume and browse the vendors while they collect candy. Details are on the event page.
13. Fill the Lot at Classic Chevrolet's Trunk or Treat
Where: Classic Chevrolet, 3855 Eastex Fwy., Beaumont
When: Saturday, from 6 PM
For an evening trunk-or-treat, head to A Classic Kind of Halloween at Classic Chevrolet. More than 700 people have responded to the event so far, which makes it one of the biggest trunk-or-treats of the weekend.
It starts after the Crazy Cajun one wraps up, so you can do both in one Saturday. Details are on the dealership's event page.
14. See Waitress at the Lutcher Theater
Photo: Lutcher Theater
Where: Lutcher Theater, 707 W. Main Ave., Orange
When: Saturday, 7 PM
Price: $68 to $128, fees included
For a night at the theatre, the 10th anniversary tour of Waitress comes to Orange as part of the Lutcher Performing Arts Series. The Sara Bareilles musical follows Jenna, a small-town pie maker looking for a way out.
The theater notes mature content, so plan on teens and up. Buy tickets online or call the box office at (409) 886-5535.
15. Start Sunday at La Torcia's Block Party in Port Neches
Where: La Torcia Brick Oven Pizza, 2701 Nall St., Port Neches
When: Sunday, 11 AM to 3 PM
Sunday's trunk-or-treats start early in Port Neches. La Torcia's 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat and Block Party promises special guests for the kids and candy galore.
It's the earliest trunk-or-treat on Sunday, and it runs over lunchtime at a pizza place, so plan to eat there. Details are on the event page.
16. Ride the Carnival Rides at The Temple's Trunk or Treat
Where: The Temple, 4101 Highway 73, Port Arthur
When: Sunday, 3:30 to 6:30 PM
Over in Port Arthur, Trunk or Treat at The Temple brings carnival rides, hot dogs, games and tons of candy for the whole family. More than 500 people have responded so far.
Come early if the kids want the rides. Details are on the event page.
17. Head to the YMCA Fall Festival in Port Arthur
Where: YMCA Port Arthur Branch, 6760 9th Ave., Port Arthur
When: Sunday, 3 to 6 PM
Price: Free
The YMCA of Southeast Texas hosts its Fall Festival at the Port Arthur branch on Sunday afternoon, with a trunk-or-treat, bounce houses and games. It's free to the public.
It runs the same afternoon as The Temple's trunk-or-treat across town, so Port Arthur families can fit in both. Details are on the YMCA's event page.
18. Trick-or-Treat Down Port Neches Avenue
Where: Port Neches Ave., near the Port Neches Chamber, 1110 Port Neches Ave., Port Neches
When: Sunday, 5 to 8 PM
Price: Free
The Port Neches Chamber's Street Treats on the Ave lines the avenue with trunks decorated by local businesses and packed full of treats, plus food trucks and family activities. It's for children of all ages.
Come in costume, and park on a side street off the avenue. Event details or call the Chamber at (409) 722-9154.
19. Hear a Restored Pipe Organ at St. Mark's
Where: St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Ave., Beaumont
When: Sunday, 5 PM
Price: Free
End the weekend with music. St. Mark's is rededicating its Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1391 pipe organ after two years of restoration, with a free recital by Robert McCormick, Director of Music and Organist at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia.
The church sits on Calder Avenue, about a mile from the McFaddin-Ward House, so you can pair it with the museum's Sunday tours. Call the church at (409) 832-3405, or see St. Mark's.
20. Find More Sunday Trunk-or-Treats Near You
Still need a trunk-or-treat close to home? Six more are on Sunday:
- Sojourn Community Church, 1860 W. Lucas Dr., Beaumont: 4 to 6 PM
- FWC Lumberton, 341 N. Village Creek Pkwy., Lumberton: 4 to 6 PM, with pony rides and a petting zoo
- Calvary Baptist Lumberton Fall Festival, 395 Fletcher Rd., Lumberton: 4 to 6 PM, with games, Frito pies, popcorn and cotton candy
- La Torcia Bridge City, 1125 Texas Ave., Bridge City: 3 to 7 PM, with games and photo spots
- First Baptist Church Orangefield, 9788 FM 105, Orange: 5 to 7 PM
- First Christian Church of Orangefield, 4234 FM 408, Orange: 5 to 7 PM, with a bounce house, hayride and food
For the full list through Halloween night, see our guide to trunk-or-treats in Southeast Texas.
21. Pick a Pumpkin in Bridge City or Nederland
Still need a pumpkin for the porch? Two church pumpkin patches are open all weekend, Sunday included.
First Baptist Church Bridge City, 200 W. Roundbunch Rd., Bridge City: Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 7 PM, Sunday noon to 7 PM. Entry is free, and pumpkins are priced by size. There are play areas, games and several photo setups, and the patch takes cash, check, PayPal, Cash App and Venmo.
Nederland Apostolic Church, 1308 S. 27th St., Nederland: Friday 4 to 7 PM, Saturday 10 AM to dark, Sunday noon to dark. It has photo props, a kids' play area, food trucks and a coffee shop.
22. Spend Sunday Afternoon at Beaumont's Museums
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress
If you'd rather take Sunday slow, three Beaumont museums are open in the afternoon:
- Art Museum of Southeast Texas, 500 Main St.: noon to 5 PM, free
- McFaddin-Ward House Museum, 1906 Calder Ave.: garden tour at noon, house tour at 1 PM, free. The house tour is for ages 8 and up. Book online.
- Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, 5550 Jimmy Simmons Blvd.: 1 to 5 PM. $5 adults, $3 seniors 60+, $2 ages 6 to 12, free ages 5 and under.
AMSET is also open Friday 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, and McFaddin-Ward tours run both days. Either one is a solid pick if you have visitors in town.
Free Things to Do in Southeast Texas This Weekend
If you're trying to keep the weekend inexpensive, you have plenty of options. Some of the best free things to do in Southeast Texas this weekend include:
- Autumn Fair at Shangri La, Saturday
- Ghosts, Goblins and Gardens at the Beaumont Botanical Gardens, Saturday
- Lamar's Boomtown Tailgate, Saturday
- Big Red's Ride car show at Spindletop-Gladys City, Saturday
- Crazy Cajun Trunk or Treat and Vendor Show, Saturday
- YMCA Fall Festival in Port Arthur, Sunday
- Street Treats on the Ave in Port Neches, Sunday
- The organ rededication recital at St. Mark's, Sunday
- AMSET and the McFaddin-Ward House tours, all weekend
- The First Baptist Bridge City pumpkin patch, all weekend
If you want to make a full Saturday of it without spending much, start at Ghosts, Goblins and Gardens in the morning and drive to Orange for Shangri La's free pumpkins at 3.
What to Do in Southeast Texas on Sunday
Sunday is quieter in the museums, but it's the big day for trunk-or-treats. La Torcia's Block Party in Port Neches runs from 11 AM to 3 PM, the YMCA Fall Festival and The Temple's trunk-or-treat fill the afternoon in Port Arthur, and Street Treats on the Ave runs from 5 to 8 PM. The Village Creek Pumpkin Hunt runs 10 AM to 3 PM, and Whispering Grove Faire is open 10 AM to 5 PM.
In Beaumont, AMSET, the McFaddin-Ward House and Spindletop-Gladys City are open Sunday afternoon. Then finish the weekend at the organ recital at St. Mark's at 5 PM or The Addams Family at the Jefferson at 7. Shangri La, the Stark Museum and the Museum of the Gulf Coast are closed Sunday, so plan those for Friday or Saturday.
Southeast Texas Weekend Weather
As of the National Weather Service forecast issued October 21, Friday looks sunny in Beaumont with a high near 83°F, after some patchy morning fog.
Saturday is sunny with a high near 81°F and a low around 57 that night. Sunday is mostly sunny with a high near 79°F. Evenings cool into the upper 50s, so bring a light jacket for the trunk-or-treats.
More Things to Do Around Southeast Texas
Planning further ahead? Halloween is next Saturday, and we keep upcoming festivals, markets, concerts and community events on our Southeast Texas events calendar.
And if you'd rather have the good stuff sent to you, What's Up SETX is free. We send local events, food finds, businesses and things worth knowing around Southeast Texas every Monday and Wednesday.