Things to Do in Celina, Texas
Celina is booming — one of the fastest-growing towns in the country — but it's built its identity around a historic downtown square that's kept its character. The square drives the town's events and dining, and there's a big park and a large lake to round out the outdoor side.
Here's what to do in and around Celina.
The Historic Downtown Square
Celina's square is the heart of the city, an official Main Street district recognized since 1996 for its historic downtown buildings. It's lined with restaurants, shops, and boutiques, and it hosts the town's biggest events — big events like Cajun Fest and Christmas on the Square, plus Friday-night markets and family movie nights.
For a town growing as fast as Celina, keeping a real, walkable historic square gives it a genuine center, and it's the first place to spend time in town.
The Little Wooden Penguin and the Square's Spots
The square packs in more than restaurants. The Little Wooden Penguin combines a store, restaurant, and bar with putt-putt golf, live music, a succulent bar, and dozens of craft-beer taps — part hangout, part entertainment. Rollertown Beerworks adds a brewery with food trucks and live music and comedy.
Between those, the farm-to-table and home-cooking spots, and the boutiques, an afternoon and evening on the Celina square fills easily.
Old Celina Park and the Outdoors
For time outside, Old Celina Park has sports fields, trails, and a catch-and-release fishing pond. It's the town's main outdoor spot and busy with youth sports.
For bigger water, Ray Roberts Lake is a short drive northwest, with marinas, a state park, and the 20-mile Greenbelt Corridor trail. Between the park and the lake, Celina has real outdoor range close to home.
Upcoming in Celina
Dates confirmed on each organizer's own site as of October 3, 2026. Plans change, so check the link before you drive.
Wed, Dec 2, 2026
Christmas on the Square (Celina)Celina · Downtown Square · 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
FAQ: Things to Do in Celina
Celina's draws center on its historic downtown square — an official Main Street district with restaurants, shops, and festivals like the Cajun Festival and Christmas on the Square — plus the Little Wooden Penguin entertainment space, Old Celina Park, and nearby Ray Roberts Lake.
Celina's historic square hosts big events like Cajun Fest and Christmas on the Square, along with Friday-night markets and family movie nights through the year.
Yes. Celina has one of the more charming historic downtown squares in the northern suburbs — an official Main Street district with restaurants, shops, festivals, and the Little Wooden Penguin — plus Old Celina Park and nearby Ray Roberts Lake for the outdoors.
East Texas guides — an easy drive from Celina
Weekend trips, lakes, festivals and small-town food east of the metroplex.
Things to Do in East Texas
What to do in East Texas, checked against official sources: Tyler's Rose Garden and Caldwell Zoo, Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas State Railroad, state parks, museums and festivals.
Read Guide →East Texas Festivals and Annual Events
Season-by-season guide to East Texas festivals and events — Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas Rose Festival, the Yamboree, Wonderland of Lights and more, checked against each host's own site.
Read Guide →Best Day Trips from Tyler and East Texas
Drive-time guide to day trips from Tyler: state parks, small towns, museums, and lakes within about 30 minutes, an hour, and up to three hours.
Read Guide →Best Lakes in East Texas
A fact-checked guide to 17 East Texas lakes, from Lake Fork's trophy bass and Caddo Lake to Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Lake Tawakoni. Sizes, species, access and rules come from TPWD.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
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