Driving Directions
January arrives softly in the Piney Woods, with a hush in the air that feels like a fresh page
waiting for its first strokes of ink and brand new calendars filled with possibilities. The holidays may have wound down, but the glow of the season lingers in the crisp mornings, the scent of woodsmoke drifting from chimneys, and the gentle promise of new beginnings. Whether your resolutions lean toward moving more, learning something new, or simply savoring the beauty around you, Tyler greets the new year with a full calendar of experiences that make it easy to begin again with intention and joy.
This month, East Texas serves up invigorating outdoor adventures, inspiring performances at the Cowan Center, planetarium wonders, heart-pumping races to jump-start your fitness goals, and plenty of laughter to warm the cold nights. Here’s your guide to starting 2025 with a full heart, clear mind, and maybe even a few newly accomplished resolutions. To better enjoy all these activities, and more, be sure to book your room now at our Tyler, Tx. Bed and Breakfast.
Start the New Year Outdoors
First Day Hike at Tyler State Park
Jan 1, 9–11 a.m.
There’s something timeless about beginning the new year on a trail, breath rising in pale clouds as the sun threads its way through the tall pines. The annual First Day Hike at Tyler State Park invites early risers and determined resolution-keepers alike to greet January with a brisk 1.5-mile trek along Loop C. This moderately challenging stretch winds through quiet winter woods, where the landscape may look asleep but is quietly pulsing with life.
Rangers lead the way, sharing how plants and animals survive the cold season—an encouraging reminder that even in winter, resilience is part of the story. Proper hiking attire is recommended, along with layered clothing and a bottle of water. The group meets at the Boat Ramp, and the hike is free with park admission. For details, visit the event page at Tyler State Park.
FIRST MONDAY TRADE DAYS CANTON TEXAS
Jan 1-4
After your hike go shop. If your New Year’s resolution is to spend more time outdoors, this is your first step—literally. canton First Monday Trade Days is a must visit East Texas tradition, and January trade days offer a quierter, more relaxed way to explore the nation’s largest flea market. Always held the weekend before the first Mondayof the month.Located just a short drive from Tyler making Rosevine Inn the perfect lodging for your shopping adventure.
Early January Learning & Exploration
Planetarium Shows at TJC’s Center for Earth, Space & Science Education
Jan 2–3
The days may be short and brisk this time of year, but the sky above Tyler is wide and full
of wonder. On January 2 and 3, the Center for Earth, Space & Science Education at TJC welcomes families, stargazers, and lifelong learners to its lineup of immersive shows. Warm up inside the domed theater as the lights dim and the stars wheel overhead, pulling you into stories of galaxies, planets, and cosmic mysteries.
It’s the perfect indoor outing for curious minds—kids mesmerized by swirling nebulae, adults remembering the thrill of learning something vast and new. If one of your resolutions is to broaden your horizons or simply say yes to more meaningful experiences, this is a wonderful place to start. Explore the full schedule at TJC Science Center.
Get Moving: January Running & Adventure Events
Run the Pines Trail Series – Tyler State Park Kickoff
Jan 3
If your New Year’s goals involve hitting the ground running—literally—the Run the Pines Trail Series offers the perfect motivation. The season kicks off on January 3 at Tyler State Park, guiding runners, hikers, and ruck participants through natural dirt trails shaded by towering trees.
The East Texas forest in January has its own magic: cool air that wakes you up from the inside out, the smell of damp earth, and that satisfying crunch of leaves and pine needles underfoot. The series continues later in the season with races in Kilgore, Faulkner Park, and Lindsey Park, making this more than just a one-time event—it’s a journey. Find race details and registration through UltraSignup.
Run Tyler 5K Color Run
Jan 10, 9–11 a.m., Rose Garden Center
The morning of January 3 keeps the momentum going with the Run Tyler 5K Color Run at the Rose Garden Center. Clouds of vibrant color powder float through the frosty air as families, friends, and fitness lovers jog, walk, or sprint their way through the course. It’s joyous, messy, energizing, and full of that unmistakable new-year optimism.
And if your resolution was simply to “move more,” this event turns exercise into something bright and playful. Keep an eye on event updates at the Run Tyler Color Run page.
Mid-January Music & Performing Arts
Mavis Staples & Shemekia Copeland at the Cowan Center
Jan 15
The heart of January warms considerably when two powerhouse voices take the stage at UT Tyler’s Cowan Center. Mavis Staples, a living legend whose music shaped generations, brings her soulful fire and deep-rooted conviction to Tyler for one extraordinary evening. Her voice carries history, hope, and the kind of grit that makes you sit up a little straighter in your seat.
Sharing the stage is Shemekia Copeland, a multi-Grammy nominee known for her fearless honesty and magnetic presence. Together, the two artists represent the soul of American music—songs that comfort, challenge, and connect us.
Light spills across the stage, instruments gleam, and as the first notes rise, you may feel a kind of new-year renewal all its own. Learn more or purchase tickets through the Cowan Center.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame – A Sweeping Musical at the Cowan Center
Jan 16–17
On January 16 and 17, the Cowan Center transforms into 15th-century Paris as Stage Notes presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Bells toll, candles flicker, and the soaring score sets the emotional tone as Quasimodo dreams of life beyond the cathedral walls. The story of Esmeralda, Frollo, Phoebus, and Quasimodo unfolds with dramatic energy and rich musical depth, captivating audiences with its themes of justice, acceptance, and courage.
It’s a theatrical experience that lingers long after the final bow—perfect for anyone resolving to seek more beauty, creativity, or meaningful storytelling in the new year. Find event details and to buy tickets, click on Stage Notes.
January Stage & Storytelling
Richard Thomas in Mark Twain Tonight! at the Cowan Center
Jan 18
The brilliance of Mark Twain returns to life at the Cowan Center when Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Thomas performs the celebrated one-man show Mark Twain Tonight! Originally created by Hal Holbrook, this production is renowned for capturing Twain’s sharp wit, poignant insight, and delightfully rebellious humor.
The stage is simple, the words are vivid, and the performance feels like sitting down with someone who understands human nature better than most. It’s a reminder that laughter and wisdom often come wrapped in the same package—something Twain himself would certainly agree with. Learn more at the Cowan Center event page.
Comedy Night in Tyler
Matthew Broussard at Rose City Comedy Club
Jan 23, 7–9 p.m.
January nights call for warm laughter, and Matthew Broussard delivers with sharp wit,
quick intellect, and the kind of humor that catches you off guard in the best way. Performing at the Rose City Comedy Club, Broussard’s set blends self-effacing jokes, clever observations, and a sprinkle of mathematics—yes, really.
It’s an evening of levity that pairs perfectly with a chilly winter night, offering anyone whose resolution includes “stress less” or “laugh more” a delightful way to check off that box. Find tickets and details at Rose City Comedy.
Closing the Month With Music
East Texas Symphony Orchestra – The Soundtrack of Your Life
Jan 31, 7:30–9 p.m., Cowan Center
January concludes on a high note as the East Texas Symphony Orchestra presents The Soundtrack of Your Life, a unique program crafted entirely from audience submissions. Each piece performed was requested by someone in the East Texas community, along with a story about what the music means to them.
It’s a concert woven from memory and meaning—nostalgic themes, stirring melodies, and the kind of musical storytelling that makes you reflect on your own life’s soundtrack. If your New Year’s resolution involves connecting more deeply with community or embracing art that moves you, this event is a beautiful way to close out the month. Discover details at the ETSO website.
Stay in the Heart of it All
January in Tyler offers a gentle kind of magic—the soft glow of winter sunsets through pine
branches, the quiet beauty of forest trails, and the welcoming warmth of theaters, classrooms, and community gatherings. It’s a month of fresh starts, renewed enthusiasm, and experiences that inspire you to savor the year ahead. It is not too early to book for Valentine’s Day!
Whether you’re lacing up your hiking boots, laughing under the lights at a comedy show, listening to world-class performers, or exploring the universe under a planetarium dome, make the Rosevine Inn your cozy retreat along the way. After every adventure, you’ll find the comforts of home waiting: glowing fireplaces, hearty breakfasts, peaceful rooms, and the timeless hospitality that makes winter in the Piney Woods feel like something special.
When you’re ready to start the new year with warmth, wonder, and memorable experiences, Rosevine Inn is here to welcome you.