One of the biggest pickleball tournaments in the country is coming back to McKinney. The 2026 Veolia Texas Open, part of the Professional Pickleball Association Tour, takes place March 9–15 at The Courts of McKinney.

Top professional players including Anna Leigh Waters, Ben Johns and Tyson McGuffin are expected to compete for ranking points ahead of the PPA Finals. The weeklong event will also include amateur tournaments and pickleball camps. Tickets range from single-day passes to full week packages.

Caribbean fine dining has arrived in McKinney. Arôme Caribbean Fusion & Lounge has opened in Adriatica Village, bringing bold Haitian-inspired flavors, craft cocktails, and an upscale lounge vibe to the local restaurant scene.
Arôme Caribbean Fusion & Lounge, 6601 Mediterranean Dr

🥩 Stockyard Pantry
A new specialty shop has just opened at TUPPS Brewery Small Business Silos featuring handmade products made with beef tallow. The genius behind it is a chef who has worked with Gordon Ramsay, offering fresh pasta, cookies, hot sauces, skin care balms, lip balm and even pet products.
402 E. Louisiana St., Bin 106 (TUPPS Brewery).

City officials approved $411k for design work on a potential new downtown parking garage near Kentucky Street and Hunt Street. Early concepts call for 300 to 600 parking spaces. Construction could cost roughly $17M–$20M if the project moves forward.
(Source: Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board Meeting, March 3

The city confirmed that the old City Hall and Development Services buildings downtown are expected to be demolished later this spring as part of a broader redevelopment effort. Officials say the site could eventually include a hotel, offices, and other mixed-use development, though final plans have not been announced yet.
(Source: Historic Preservation Advisory Board, March 5)

Bad weather pushed back a few major McKinney events yesterday. The Dallas Festival of Colors at Myers Park is now rescheduled to March 21, while the McKinney Jazz Showcase at TUPPS Brewery has been postponed with a new date still to be announced.

🏃 Monday Miles & Mobility
30-minute mobility session followed by a group ruck/run to kick off the week with the Lone Star Ruck Club.
Mary Will Craig Park, 6-7:15PM.

🏛️ Guided Historic Walking Tour
Explore the stories, architecture, and people that shaped McKinney on this free, kid-friendly walking tour through the historic district.
Visit McKinney Visitor Center (200 W Virginia), 11AM-12PM (Free).

🍽️ 5-Minute Recipe Night
Watch quick recipes come together in minutes, then enjoy a light buffet sampling of the dishes. Includes a prize drawing for attendees.
HealThy Cooking of Texas, 6:30–8PM ($12 tickets on Eventbrite)

🎤 Russell Weller - Live Solo
Austin-based indie artist performing original songs and acoustic favorites while touring across Texas.
Harvest at the Masonic, 6:30–9:30PM.

🧩 $20 Tuesday Escape Rooms
Play immersive escape room adventures like Scooby-Doo and the Spooky Castle, Mansion Murder, or Under Pressure at a discounted weekday rate.
Escapology Escape Rooms McKinney ($20 per player - your private group).

🫖 Quarterly Tea & Conversation
Enjoy an afternoon at the historic Heard-Craig Center with a community discussion, tea luncheon, and guided tour of the mansion while learning about the influential Heard and Craig families.
Heard-Craig Center for the Arts, 2-3PM (Reservations required).

🎨 Art Journal Play with Cindy Gilstrap
Explore creative techniques for art journaling and mixed media in this hands-on workshop. Wine, snacks and all supplies included.
MillHouse McKinney, 4:30–6:30PM ($45 first-time | $28 returning).

📚 True Crime Book Club (Adults)
Monthly discussion exploring real crime stories through history, psychology, and justice. This session dives into We Thought We Knew You by William M. Phelps.
John and Judy Gay Library, 7–8PM (Free, registration required).

🍷 Penfolds Wine Dinner
Discover South Australian fine wines in this four-course dinner paired with iconic Penfolds wines, guided by a brand representative sharing the winery’s history and tasting insights.
Wine A Little, 7–9PM ($116 tickets).

👶 Stroller Strides Outdoor Workout
A fun full-body workout for parents and caregivers with little ones in tow. This stroller-friendly class mixes cardio, strength and fresh air while connecting with other young families.
District 121, 9:30–10:30AM.

🏛️ Chestnut Square Heritage Village Tour
Guided walking tour through the historic homes of Chestnut Square, where docents share stories of the families and early life that shaped McKinney.
Chestnut Square Heritage Village, Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays, 11AM ($10 adults, $7 students/seniors/military).

🎶 Storyteller Sessions w/ Jeff, Gretchen + Erik
An intimate acoustic evening blending folk, pop and country, with live storytelling and harmonies in the Lone Star Winery tasting room.
Lone Star Winery Tasting Room - Downtown McKinney, 5-7PM (No cover).

❤️ Ready to React: Free Community CPR Training
Learn hands-only CPR, how to use an AED, and how to stop bleeding in this life-saving class taught by the McKinney Fire Department. Participants may become eligible to sign up to receive an AED and become a Neighborhood Hero.
McKinney Fire Administration Building (2100 Taylor Burk Dr), 6:30–7:30PM (Free).

🎸 Matt Barron - Live Music
Veteran North Texas performer blending classic rock, blues, alternative and country favorites with strong vocals and skilled guitar work.
Harvest at the Masonic, 6:30–9:30PM.

😂 Today’s Specials - Stand-Up & Improv Comedy
A rotating lineup of rising stand-up and improv comedians takes the stage for a fast, one-hour comedy showcase featuring fresh local talent.
The Comedy Arena, 7:30-8:30PM ($10 + 2-item minimum).

McKinney became the county seat of Collin County in 1848 after officials realized the original seat, Buckner, wasn’t close enough to the geographic center of the county. A year later, local landowner William Davis donated 120 acres of his land to create the townsite.

For years, the town stayed small. That changed in 1872, when the Houston and Texas Central Railroad arrived. The railroad turned McKinney into Collin County’s main commercial hub and sparked major growth. Farmers in the area produced large amounts of corn, wheat, oats, and cotton, making Collin County one of the state’s top agricultural regions.

With new prosperity came new infrastructure. The Old Collin County Courthouse began construction in 1874, a national bank opened in 1883, and by 1889 the city even had electric lights.

McKinney remained a modest town for much of the 20th century. By 1970, nearby Plano had already grown larger. But starting in the 1980s, McKinney began transforming into a commuter suburb for people working in Plano and Dallas. The rest is history…

Mon: 🌤️ Warm with sun & clouds, chance of a spotty storm, high 77°F
Tue: ⛈️ Thunderstorms likely, some strong with heavy rain, high 75°F
Wed: 🌧️ Rain and a morning storm, turning windy, high 68°F
Thu: 🌤️ Mix of sun & clouds, cooler, high 64°F

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!