Things to Do in Gilmer, Texas
Gilmer may be a small county seat, but it knows how to put on a show — its East Texas Yamboree is one of the biggest and oldest festivals in the state. Beyond the Yamboree, there's a charming courthouse square, a city lake, and a surprising musical legacy to explore in this Upshur County town.
Here's what to do in and around Gilmer.
The East Texas Yamboree
Gilmer's signature event is the East Texas Yamboree, a four-day festival held the third weekend of October to celebrate the sweet potato harvest. Running since 1935, it's one of the oldest continuous festivals in Texas and draws around 100,000 people to the small town each fall.
The Yamboree packs in two parades, the Queen's Coronation Pageant, a carnival around the town square, livestock shows, arts and crafts, an antique and classic car show, a Fiddler's Contest, the Yamboree Barbecue, and the famous closing Barn Dance featuring country music artists — plus plenty of yam-inspired treats. It's a quintessential small-town Texas festival and well worth planning a trip around.
The Historic Square
Year-round, the heart of Gilmer is its historic downtown square, anchored by the Upshur County Courthouse. The square offers the shops, cafes, and small-town charm of a classic Texas county seat — a pleasant place to stroll, browse, and soak up local history, and the natural gathering point during the Yamboree and other community events.
The surrounding historic district preserves the look and feel of an old East Texas farming-and-cotton town, giving downtown Gilmer a genuine sense of place.
Lake Gilmer and Musical Roots
For outdoor recreation, Lake Gilmer, the city's reservoir, offers fishing and a quiet place to enjoy the water close to town, and the larger Lake O' the Pines is a short drive northeast for bigger-water boating and fishing.
Gilmer also makes a fun stop for music lovers: this little town is the birthplace of Eagles drummer and singer Don Henley, pop legend Johnny Mathis, and blues great Freddie King. It's a remarkable trio of talent to have come from one small place — a point of real local pride and a fun bit of trivia for any visitor.
Highlights
- East Texas Yamboree festival every October — parades, pageants, and carnival on the square
- Walk the Upshur County Courthouse square and the surrounding historic district
- Fish or kayak at Lake Gilmer just south of town
- Spend a morning at Gilmer Park with the kids — playgrounds, pavilions, covered picnic areas
- Drive out to Lake Bob Sandlin for bass fishing and camping
- Browse the small shops and antique spots around the downtown square
- Catch a Gilmer Buckeyes football game on a Friday night in the fall
- Explore Lake O' the Pines for boating, swimming, and lakeside camping
Signature Annual Events
Marquee yearly events in Gilmer, linked to the official organizers.
Third weekend of October
FAQ: Things to Do in Gilmer
The East Texas Yamboree is Gilmer's signature festival, held the third weekend of October since 1935 to celebrate the sweet potato harvest. One of the oldest festivals in Texas, it draws about 100,000 people for parades, a pageant, a carnival, a car show, the Yamboree Barbecue, a Fiddler's Contest, and a closing barn dance.
Gilmer offers the famous East Texas Yamboree each October, a historic courthouse square with shops and cafes, Lake Gilmer for fishing, and nearby Lake O' the Pines. The town is also the birthplace of musicians Don Henley, Johnny Mathis, and Freddie King.
The East Texas Yamboree is a four-day festival held annually on the third weekend of October in Gilmer. It has run every year since 1935 except during World War II and the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yes. Lake Gilmer, the city's reservoir, offers fishing and quiet recreation close to town, and the larger Lake O' the Pines is a short drive northeast for boating, fishing, and camping.
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