Dogs Going Overboard: Barkus Sails the Seven Seas brings a nautical flair to Downtown McKinney. This year’s theme invites four-legged revelers and their humans to don their best nautical, pirate, and ocean inspired costumes for an afternoon of family friendly fun. 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.

The staff at the Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site invites everyone to join us February 14, 2026, for Presidents’ Day at the Eisenhower Birthplace. Learn about, and take part in, the hobbies of some of your favorite presidents.

Mardi Gras! Galveston is back with a bigger beat, bolder sound, and double the star power for 2026. The 115th Mardi Gras celebration returns February 6-17, 2026, with headliners Logan Ryan, Wade Bowen, GymClassHeroes, and Lil’ Keke to rock out the island!

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

Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) invites audiences to experience the power of cultural legacy and artistic excellence with Kaleidoscope, February 13-15, 2026, at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre. Perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day weekend and Black History Month, this year’s Cultural Awareness series offers a meaningful way to celebrate love, resilience, and the rich tapestry of Black American history. ("The Nina Simone Project" - photo by Amitava Sarkar)

This Valentine’s Day eve, friends and significant others alike can enjoy a laid-back evening of art, music, and connection at the Kimbell Art Museum. During Happy Hour in the Kimbell Café, guests will enjoy live music by Allegro Guitar Society. Beer, wine, nonalcoholic drinks, and snacks will be available for purchase. Members receive a 10% discount on beverages during Happy Hours.

Plano’s premier lifestyle destination celebrates Valentine’s Day Weekend 2026 with immersive installations, precious pop-ups, live music and delicious dining experiences!

The scholarship will be awarded to a woman who declares her major as education and is enrolled as a junior or beyond in college. An applicant must be a graduate of a Fannin County high school or be a Fannin County resident.

The Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special guided tour, “Romance in the Gilded Age”, on Saturday, February 14, at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. This Valentine’s-themed tour explores the romantic lives of the Maxey and Long families and offers visitors a glimpse into courtship during the late 19th century.

Activities for kids, teens and adults!

The Carleton House Bed & Breakfast will be Hosting Special Valentine’s Dinners Saturday, Feb. 14, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, May 8 and May 9 in Paris, Texas - booths and corners spaces available for vendors!

Do you enjoy working outside, mowing, sprucing up hiking trails, trimming and removing brush and general cleanup? Join the Outdoor Crew at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. The Outdoor Crew meets on the First Tuesday and Fourth Saturday of every month. Please email friendsofhagerman@gmail.com for details and to join our team. Scouts welcome!

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.

For the Grayson County Historical Society's second meeting of the new year, February 10 at 6:30 p.m., we have invited Mr. Bert Garcia to give the program on Cynthia Ann Parker, who was kidnapped at the age of 9 by the Comanche Indians. In later life she married Chief Pete Nocona, bearing three children.

You are invited to attend a Harmony House Concert on Sunday, February 8, '26, 3:00-5:00 p.m., featuring one of the most authentic female singer-songwriters ever, Bernice Lewis. Your hosts, Faye Wedell and Scott Lipsett, were fortunate to go on a rafting trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon for ten days with Bernice ten years ago. Bernice is known for her many songs about the Grand Canyon, and her voice resonated off the Canyon walls during this memorable trip.

Join us for a morning of writing instruction and discussion - Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

It's time again for the annual I Love Bonham Valentine Shopping Spree, and this year, the fun has been extended to two days of shopping shenanigans! Come out and shop local on Friday February 6 and Saturday February 7 to find a special gift for your special someone.

Help us celebrate 100 years of Black History Month! Make plans to join us for a special opening reception on Friday, February 6 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Artwork is due February 5.

Early confirmed performers include Tripping Daisy, Low Cut Connie, and Catie Turner, with the full lineup to be announced in January. The 2026 festival builds on JAMBALOO’s foundation of free, accessible live music while expanding its role as a cultural and community platform.

Broadway Dallas has named Michelle Mazzini as Chair of the Board of Directors, effective January 2026. Mazzini has served on the Broadway Dallas Board since 2017 and has held chair positions on Governance and Development Committees. Ms. Mazzini is Vice President and General Counsel of Spindletop.

Creative Arts Center is seeking vendors for Sweets, Hearts & Sparkles! We will be one of the stops on the I Love Bonham Stroll around downtown hosted by the Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce on February 7. We are seeking vendors who create handcrafted items and/or sweet treats.

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 James Butler Bonham chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) is celebrating their 95th birthday today. 2025-2027 JBB Board (Seated L to R: Kara Giangiulio, Rebecca Quam, Ashley Schick, Roxann Garcia, Pepsi Windland, Standing L to R: Jennifer Marin, Carolyn Raney, Anne Wiesner. Not pictured: Sarah Gunderson, Betty Robbins and Susan Stephens)

As part of Black History Month, this program will feature a video compilation of oral histories from our latest temporary exhibit.

Families and history enthusiasts are invited to warm up this winter on Hot Chocolate Day at the Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site on Saturday, January 31, at 2:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy a cup of cocoa from a hot chocolate bar while learning about the history of this beloved beverage. The program offers a cozy and engaging way to spend a winter afternoon. The program fee is $3 per participant. After the program, visitors are encouraged to stay for a tour of the historic Maxey House to discover the story of one of Paris’s most distinguished families and gain insight into daily life in 19th-century Texas. Regular admission fees apply for tours.

The American Heart Association offers some important information for staying heart healthy in cold temperatures across North Texas.

The deadline for submitting applications is January 31.