Hello Waco and Merry Christmas! As family and friends arrive for the holidays, there are many fun things to do this weekend to entertain them. We have scouted out the top 5 Christmas filled events that everyone will surely enjoy! Check out our full list on our blog, The Grackle, at grackle.wacoan.com or find even more fun events on our event calendar at wacoan.com/featured-events or in our monthly Short List at magazine.wacoan.com. Be sure to tag us (@Wacoan) on social media and use #WacoWeekend to let us know what fun stuff you guys are up to.

 
1. The hills are alive with the sound of music! Come watch the Christian Youth Theatre perform the iconic musical, “The Sound of Music” Dec. 19-22 at the MCC Ball Performing Arts Center. Tickets cost $10 if bought in advance and $12 at the door. For ticket information and times navigate here.
 
2. Get in the spirit of Christmas with Dick and Emily Gimble at their Family Christmas performance as they perform everyone’s favorite holiday jams at the Waco Hippodrome Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $10. For details, visit wacohippodrometheatre.com.
 
3. Grab your favorite Christmas sweater and head to Magnolia at the Silos to get a picture with Santa Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. before he leaves for the North Pole to get ready for Christmas!
 
4. In the spirit of Christmas, the East Waco Empowerment Project is holding Feast in the East with a goal of feeding 1,500 people and providing hats, coats, gloves, blankets and school supplies to families in need. Whether you’re able to volunteer, donate or enjoy a meal join them at the city of Waco Multi-Purpose Center Dec. 20 from 2-6 p.m. For more information on how to help, visit facebook.com/feastintheeast.
 
5. Get ready to laugh your stockings off at William Lee Martin’s “The Nutcracker: A Christmas Comedy Spectacular.” Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Waco Hippodrome. For details and ticket information click here.
 

Live music:

 
Thursday
Live Jazz at the Distillery, 7-9 p.m.
Live Music at The Grape, 7-9 p.m.
 
Friday
Live Music at The Grape, 7-9 p.m.
Live Music at Kissing Tree Vineyards, 7-10 p.m.
 
Saturday:
JD Hicks and the H.O.T. Road Gang, Rocky’s Roadhouse, 2-6 p.m.
Hayden Haddock, Smiley’s Melody Ranch, 9:30-11:30 p.m.
Live Music at Lakeside Tavern, 7 p.m.