In the summertime, Kilgore is alive with performances, celebrations, and activities for all ages. Whether it’s watching a performance at the Texas Shakespeare Festival or enjoying Texas barbecue at a local restaurant, Kilgore has plenty of options for summer fun. If you’re planning a trip, here are some events and places to check out.

1. Catch a classic or contemporary play at the Texas Shakespeare Festival

Now in its 41st year, the Texas Shakespeare Festival is a time-honored East Texas tradition. Performing in Kilgore College’s Van Cliburn Auditorium from mid-June through mid-July, the event draws world-class actors and audiences from across the state. Experience time-tested Shakespearean works like Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, classic plays like Emma and 1776, or contemporary works by living playwrights. The dynamic energy of live performance, coupled with an intimate theater setting, makes for an unforgettable night.

2. Visit the Rangerette Showcase & Museum, the East Texas Oil Museum, or the Texas Broadcast Museum

Beat the summer heat by exploring a museum. With three iconic museums to choose from, Kilgore offers something for everyone. Located on the campus of Kilgore College, the Rangerette Showcase & Museum is dedicated to the world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes, the world’s first precision dance and drill team. Props, costumes, and multimedia displays tell the Rangerettes story from the team’s creation in 1940 to the present day.

At the East Texas Oil Museum, interactive exhibits take you back in time to the 1930s, letting you explore the history of Texas’ oil industry. Learn the stories of the enterprising men and women who discovered and developed the East Texas Oilfield through artifacts, oral histories, and more.

The Texas Broadcast Museum highlights the Golden Age of broadcasting. See the original ESPN mobile unit used for sports broadcasting in 1979 and visit the telecruiser used by ABC/WFAA to cover President Kennedy’s assassination. Then experience being a disc jockey or newscaster in the museum’s working radio and TV stations. 

3. Cool off and enjoy an Olympic-sized pool

Let the kids cool off at Lazy S Ranch Splash Park, a free splash pad in Kilgore City Park. Or spend your day at the Kilgore City Pool, where the whole family can splash around. Built in 1936 to Olympic standards, the pool has been a summertime staple in Kilgore for generations. Today, it’s a community gathering spot where kids race down water slides and perfect their cannonballs.

4. Try some Texas barbecue, Southern comfort food, or Tex-Mex cuisine

Whether it’s barbecue, Tex-Mex, or Southern comfort food, Kilgore’s local restaurants serve up plenty of dishes worth savoring. Stop by the Burrito Shop for authentic Mexican cuisine, from Baja fish tacos to classic burritos and enchiladas. Or head to the Circle Cafe for chicken-fried steak, tater tot casserole, and shrimp and grits. 

For some of the best barbecue in the Lone Star State, visit the Country Tavern. Since 1939, this East Texas staple has been serving hickory-smoked ribs, brisket, and sausage served with the restaurant’s own special sauce. Step in to see why both locals and out-of-towners rave about the Country Tavern’s barbecue.

5. Enjoy the outdoors

Summer is the season for exploring the great outdoors, and in Kilgore, that includes both meandering paths and high-adventure mountain bike trails. Take a morning stroll along Creekside Trail as it winds 2.58 miles through the woods, enjoying views of Bighead Creek. Or tackle a bigger adventure on the Bighead Creek Mountain Bike Trail. Perfect for advanced or beginner riders, this 3.1-mile loop features drops, jumps, a wall ride, and a teeter-totter.

6. Experience the Kilgore Fourth of July Extravaganza

In Kilgore, the Fourth of July Extravaganza is a patriotic celebration not to be missed. Start the day with a parade, enjoy music, activities, and local food trucks, then finish the night off with a free concert and spectacular fireworks show. As Kilgore celebrates 250 years of American freedom, this year’s extravaganza promises to be especially impressive.

Plan your trip to Kilgore, TX

Kilgore’s museums, live performances, and local cuisine offer a fun summer getaway for family and friends. Whether you’re staying for a few days or just passing through, this East Texas town is ready to welcome you with open arms. Start planning your trip to Kilgore.