The complete guide to everything happening in Rowlett this year. I'll update this as dates get confirmed.
Spring 2026:
- Rowlett Farmer's Market — Opens Saturday, April 5. Runs every Saturday through October. Downtown Main Street area, 8am-12pm.
- Rowlett Spring Clean-Up — April 12. City-organized volunteer event. Meet at Community Park. Free trash bags and gloves provided. Great for court-mandated community service hours (I'm not judging).
- Arbor Day Tree Planting — April 26. Community Park. Free trees for Rowlett residents (limit 2 per household, while supplies last).
Summer 2026:
- Movies in the Park — Fridays in June, Community Park. Free. Starts at dusk (~8:30pm). Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Last year they showed Encanto and Top Gun: Maverick. 2026 lineup TBD.
- Rowlett 4th of July Celebration — July 4 at Pecan Grove Park. THE event of the year. Live music, food vendors, kids activities starting at 5pm. Fireworks over Lake Ray Hubbard at 9:30pm. The lakefront fireworks are genuinely spectacular — visible from anywhere along the lake but Pecan Grove has the best view.
- Splash Pad Season — Memorial Day through Labor Day at Community Park. Free. Open daily 10am-7pm.
Fall 2026:
- Rowlett Fall Festival — Usually mid-October (date TBD). Downtown Main Street. Pumpkin decorating, hayrides, vendor booths, live music. Family-friendly, free admission.
- Rowlett Homecoming Parade — October (date set by RISD). High school homecoming parade down Main Street. The whole town comes out.
- Trunk or Treat — October 26 (Saturday before Halloween). Multiple church parking lots and the Community Centre. Free candy, safe trick-or-treating for little kids.
Winter 2026:
- Rowlett Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting — First Saturday in December (December 6). The big one. See my separate detailed post.
- Santa at the Community Centre — Mid-December. Free photos with Santa. Line starts forming at 9am for the 10am opening. Bring snacks for the kids.
- New Year's Eve at Sapphire Bay — December 31. Sapphire Bay usually hosts a lakefront event. Details typically announced in November.
Recurring year-round:
- Rowlett Library events — Storytimes (Tues/Wed/Thu mornings), book clubs, STEM programs for kids. Check rowlett.com/library for monthly calendar.
- Sapphire Bay events — The development hosts seasonal markets, live music on the boardwalk, and holiday events. Follow Sapphire Bay social media for announcements.
- City Council meetings — 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7:30pm at City Hall, 4000 Main St. Open to public. Livestreamed on the city's YouTube channel.
Sources:
- City of Rowlett Events Calendar (rowlett.com/events)
- Rowlett Chamber of Commerce
- Rowlett Parks & Recreation program guide
- Sapphire Bay social media accounts
The Fall Festival on Main Street is peak small-town Rowlett energy. Hayrides, face painting, everyone from your kid's school. It's what makes this city feel like a community.