This week in What's On McKinney: understand the buzz around beekeeping, show your random knowledge on Trivia night, a vertical wine tasting, and a new English pub. Let’s dive in →

🥕 Samaritan Inn Food Pantry Grand Opening


The Samaritan Inn, a homeless shelter and non-profit, opens on Monday its food security facility. Tour the new grocery-style pantry set-up, meet the artist who unveils the new outdoor mural, and learn how this expansion helps fight food insecurity in Collin County. A feel-good event with real community impact.
Samaritan Inn, 1601 N Waddill St, Monday March 23, 4–5PM (Free, registration encouraged)

🔥 New In Town

🍻 The Lion & Crown Now Open
English-style pub The Lion & Crown, already known in Addison and Allen, has officially opened its McKinney location with a packed house, live music, and high-energy vibes from day one.
Expect 30+ beers on tap, an impressive whiskey and scotch selection, plus a full chef-driven menu, live music, sports on big screens, daily drink specials, and a patio.
The Lion & Crown, open daily 11AM–2AM | 7951 Collin McKinney Pkwy Suite 1600

🏛️ The Square

⛈️ Severe Weather Prep Class Happening on March 31st

Want to be ready for North Texas storms? The City of McKinney is hosting a free class covering tornadoes, hail, and how to build an emergency plan and supply kit - plus a short Q&A.
John & Judy Gay Library, March 31st, 7-8PM - Free (registration required)

What’s On McKinney

(Mon 23 - Thurs 26 March)

Monday March 23

ACO Golf Classic 2026
Hit the greens for a charity tournament at the upgraded TPC Craig Ranch. Great golf, good cause, and a course in championship shape.
TPC Craig Ranch (10:30AM–4PM (Public event)

✍️ Shut Up & Write!® McKinney
No pressure, no critiques - just focused writing sprints with other locals using the Pomodoro method. Show up, get words down, and finally write your wrongs.
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, 4701 S Custer Rd Ste 500 6–7:30PM (free weekly event, all levels welcome)

🎬 Monday Night Movie Night
Kick off the week with a cozy movie night, snacks, and a chill crowd. Easy plans when you just want to sit back and relax.
Recreation Center at Towne Lake, 2001 Central Expy, 6–8PM (Free)

Tuesday Mar 24

🧠 Tuesday Night Trivia
Think you’re the smartest in McKinney? Bring your team (or go solo) and prove it in this BYOB battle of random knowledge.
Recreation Center at Towne Lake, 2001 Central Expy 6–8PM ($10, BYOB)

🐝 Backyard Beekeeping in North Texas
See live bees up close and learn how to start your own hive - a real buzz-worthy intro to backyard beekeeping and pollinator life. Bee there or be square.
McKinney City Hall 7–8PM (Adults, registration required)

🍷 Aged to Perfection: Cabernet Wine Tasting
Taste five vintages of Big Red Cabernet in a guided vertical experience. A rare chance to compare years, regions, and how great wine evolves over time.
Lone Star Winery, 103 E Virginia St 7–8:30PM ($47 + fees)

🎶 The Musical Improv Jamboree
Improv meets live music in this low-pressure, jump-in-and-play jam. No singing skills needed - just show up and wing it (or sing it).
The Comedy Arena, 305 E Virginia St 7–9PM (Mature audiences, free participation)

Wednesday Mar 25

🎸 Eric Erickson Live at the Masonic
Acoustic-driven set with a mix of familiar covers and easygoing originals. Perfect midweek unwind with smooth vocals and laid-back vibes.
Harvest at the Masonic 6:30–9:30PM (Free)

🎶 Music Bingo
Bingo, but make it music. Match songs instead of numbers, vibe with the crowd, and snag prizes if your playlist knowledge hits the right note.
The Stix Icehouse 7–9PM

Thursday Mar 26

🧵 Mary Lou Smith Fabric Sale
Dig through 100+ bins of unique fabrics - from quilt-ready classics to hand-dyed and rare finds. A dream stop for crafters and sewing lovers.
Heard-Craig Center for the Arts (Carriage House), 205 W Hunt St, 9AM–4PM (Thursday-Saturday, free entry)

🤝 Impact Circle: Networking + Market Showcase
Connect with local entrepreneurs, browse a mini marketplace, and join a silent auction for a good cause. Come for the networking, stay for the impact.
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, 4701 S Custer Rd Ste 500 6–8PM (Free, registration encouraged)

🎸 Chris Raspante Live at the Masonic
Nashville-seasoned guitarist with credits from HBO’s True Blood to the Grand Ole Opry. Expect polished country/rock vibes from a seriously experienced pro.
Harvest at the Masonic, 215 N Kentucky St 6:30–9:30PM (Free)

🥚 Eggstravaganza: Ceramic Easter Egg Painting
Paint your own ceramic eggs using rare crystal glazes that create wild, one-of-a-kind patterns. Part workshop, part surprise reveal - eggcellent for a creative night out.
Walls of Clay, 211 N Kentucky St 6:30–8:30PM ($30 + tax)

🎷 Acoustic Mayhem Live at Zin Zen
Sax meets guitar in a fun, unpredictable husband-and-wife duo with nonstop banter and crowd-pleasing energy, harmonizing well with Zin Zen’s wines.
Zin Zen Wine Bistro 7–10PM (Free)

⌛MacTown History

By Flimbone08 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source - no changes were made)

Collin College & the growth of McKinney

What is now Collin College started in 1985 right here in McKinney as a small community college with just a few thousand students. As Collin County boomed, so did the school - growing into a major education system now serving 60,000+ students across credit and noncredit programs.

The McKinney campus (Central Park) remains the heart of it all, later expanding with major additions like the Health Sciences Center. Over time, campuses opened in Plano, Frisco, Allen, Wylie, Celina, and beyond - turning Collin College into a regional network that supports students across multiple fast-growing cities.

Today, it’s more than just a community college. With programs in healthcare, business, trades, and even bachelor’s degrees, Collin College has become a key pipeline for the local workforce - helping fuel the same growth that transformed McKinney into the city it is today.

☀️ This Week’s Weather in McKinney

Mon: 🌤️ Pleasant with sun & clouds, high 72°F
Tue: 🌤️ Partly sunny & warm, high 81°F
Wed: ☀️ Very warm, breezy later, high 88°F
Thu: ☀️ Very warm & sunny, high 88°F

🎁 Free Stuff for Referring

We’re the fastest-growing newsletter in McKinney - but I’m impatient, so:

Refer 2 friends → Get shouted out in the newsletter
Refer 5 → Get our McKinney Restaurant Guide

Here’s the deal: I make this newsletter for free and you share this with your neighbor, friend and cousin’s cousin!

🗣️ Got News?

Opening soon? Hosting an event?
Got a story I should feature?

Reply and tell me - I read every message.

That’s it for now. See you in the Thursday edition full of weekend plans!

Cheers,

Sebastian

P.S. Wanna make new friends in McKinney? Join our new Facebook group made just for that!

Reply

Avatar

or to participate

Keep Reading