On Thursday, March 5, bestselling author Chloe Gong will visit the Sherman Public Library and Sherman ISD for AuthorFest 2026. This is the new date for the event, which had to be postponed earlier this year because of the January ice storm. This will be the 39th time that the library and school district have joined together for AuthorFest, which gives our local community the opportunity to meet notable writers in person.

This popular annual tasting event brings together local restaurants, breweries, and wineries for an evening celebrating Durant's vibrant food and beverage scene with a fun Derby-inspired flair, including fascinators, a hat contest, and a silent auction.

Open to the public Monday - Friday! Breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The staff at the Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site invites kids aged 10 and under to join us every 1st Sunday of the month for First Sunday Funday at the Eisenhower Birthplace.

For the first time in more than 25 years, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is opening the gates to a state park in North Texas. Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, located between Abilene and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, offers Texans 4,871 acres of former ranch land to hike, bike, fish and explore.

The Creative Arts Center has issued two calls for art. The first is for the March Art Show with the theme of Tiny. For purposes of this show, tiny will be defined as 12 inch by 12 inch or smaller; artwork is due by March 5 to be in the show. The second call for art is for the Budding Artist Contest. Children and youth under age 18 are encouraged to enter up to three pieces of artwork for the center’s annual art contest. Artwork will be accepted from March 17 through April 1.

Angel Fire Resort proudly announces the return of one of winter’s most legendary and unconventional competitions: the 2026 World Championship Shovel Races, taking place February 27–28, 2026. As the originator of the shovel races, it is fitting that Angel Fire Resort is one of the few places in the world still keeping this sport alive.

Butterfly season is almost here! Butterflies in the Garden will take place March 1 through April 30, allowing guests to experience thousands of breathtaking butterflies from around the world as they flutter and dance through the lush tropical paradise of the Garden’s Rainforest Conservatory. This beloved seasonal favorite returns with exotic and native species creating a living kaleidoscope of color and movement among vibrant foliage and tropical blooms.

All events are sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman and occur at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center: 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092, unless stated otherwise.

The aquarium experience inspired by the Animal Crossing: New Horizons video game on the Nintendo Switch system is coming to SEA LIFE Grapevine! From February 21 – May 25, themed activities will offer Aquarium guests the opportunity to explore the wonders of aquatic life while enjoying the world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) will host the 26th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Perot Family Campus in Plano. Presented by Kroger, the evening will bring the community together for a meaningful experience featuring tastings from leading local chefs, beverages, and the opportunity to take home a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted bowl created by local artists. Empty Bowls highlights a simple but powerful truth: hunger is real in our community, and it takes all of us working together to make a difference.

Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with some trivia! We’re having our Big Fat Quiz of the U.S.A. on February 27 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site. This fun, no pressure quiz features questions about different aspects of American history and culture! Players must pay $1.00 to participate and the winners get a prize! The first people to arrive get the first choice to play – individuals are allowed but may be put into teams if possible.

East Texas A&M welcomed around 450 visitors to campus on Feb. 21 to celebrate the anniversary of the university's Planetarium at the Keith D. McFarland Science Building. For 20 years, the Planetarium has served as both a gateway to the cosmos and a first glimpse of campus life for thousands of K-12 students across Northeast Texas. photo credit: Jason Connel, ETAMU Marketing and Communications

Get your cameras ready, Bonham! On Wednesday, March 18, a stunning fleet of classic cars will be rolling into our streets. This isn't just pass-through; they will be spending the afternoon in our historic district, and you’re invited to come out and see them!

Visit McKinney is proud to honor the Fairfield Inn & Suits Dallas-McKinney, operated by Krisnik Inc., with the 2025 Tourism Partner of the Year Award. Through their dedicated partnership with Visit McKinney and ongoing supporting of the local tourism industry, the Fairfield Inn consistently goes above and beyond in delivering exceptional hospitality.

For 45 seasons, Scarborough Renaissance Festival has stood as a Texas institution, welcoming generations of families, travelers and tradition-seekers to step back in time to the 16th century each spring. In 2026, the Festival celebrates its milestone 45th season with eight weekends of immersive entertainment, legendary performances and new experiences that underscore its place in the cultural fabric of the state.

“Arts in Bloom is a free, family-friendly festival that invites everyone to experience the creativity and charm of Downtown McKinney. It’s a chance to enjoy art, music, and local businesses while making meaningful memories with family and friends. We love seeing the community come together to celebrate what makes our downtown so special,” said Andrew Jones, Cultural District Director. photos by Allen Rich

Auditions for this Newberry Award-winning story, Sarah, Plain and Tall, will be held Monday and Tuesday, February 23 and 24 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The cast includes: 3 Men, 4 Women, 1 Boy, and 3 Girls, plus a few minor characters for example--a paperboy, a farmer, a salesman, etc. We are also thinking about the possibility of a double cast. Set in the early 1900s, this play brings to life the charming, heartwarming story of a Kansas farmer, Jacob Witting, a widower with two children—Anna and Caleb, who places an ad in the newspapers seeking a wife.

Open to the public Monday - Friday! Breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta (Spanish, 1841–1920), Birthday Wishes (Felicitación de cumpleaños), c. 1880. Oil on canvas, 31 7/8 × 25 5/8 in. (81 x 65 cm). Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, P006995. © Archivo Fotográfico del Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid.

A world premiere by a Grammy Award-winning composer along with piano soloist Aaron Kurz anchor the Lone Star Wind Orchestra’s 20th Anniversary Season Celebration concert on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 3 p.m. at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in the Dallas Arts District (2301 Flora St., Dallas). The milestone performance marks two decades of music-making and community impact while honoring the orchestra’s past and looking boldly toward the future in the spirit of its mission of “music changing lives.”

Time is running out to get your tickets and tables for our second annual Taste of Chocolate gala! This event will be Saturday, February 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the Complex. Guests can enjoy listening to live jazz music, featuring Brad Silwood on the saxophone, watch local artists paint and then bid on those creations in the live auction. Belle Rae’s will be serving up a buffet dinner. Guests will get two drink tickets and can choose from Neighbors Place Wines, beers, soft drinks or water. There will also, of course, be a chocolate candy and dessert bar, including chocolate fountains.

Fort Inglish Village in Bonham has officially opened its doors! So, come on out and visit Fort Inglish and discover the fascinating history of one of the oldest towns in Texas! You will go back in time to 1836 and learn how the town of Bonham begin!

To celebrate Lunar New Year, Galleria Dallas will host the Jiu Long Lion Dance Troupe, who will perform a colorful dance at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 on Level 1 around Center Court. The beautiful lantern festival installation is up now and will stay through Feb. 28.

Several new things are happening at the Creative Arts Center in Bonham in the new year.

Mary Karl and John Burnett

Carmen Reisdorf ’27 created an online citizen science project that has drawn more than 900 volunteers to identify bird calls from the Edwards Plateau, supporting research on how land-management practices influence wildlife. (Hannah Harrison/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Jean Siméon Chardin, The Cut Melon, 1760, oil on canvas. The Kimbell Art Museum announced the acquisition of The Cut Melon by Jean Siméon Chardin. Dated 1760, The Cut Melon has long been recognized as one of the artist’s most remarkable paintings—rare in its oval shape and exemplifying Chardin’s mastery at its peak. The painting went on view beginning Thursday, May 22, 2025, in the Kimbell’s Louis I. Kahn Building.

It’s Mardi Gras, y’all! Legacy West will host its 5th Annual Fat Tuesday Parade, led by the acclaimed Townview Big D Band, on February 17, inviting guests to enjoy an evening of live music, festive entertainment, and community celebration at the premier shopping, dining, and lifestyle destination in Plano.