Things to do in Waco this Weekend

Waco has another great weekend in store. From the Doris Miller sculpture unveiling to plays and various holiday events, you are bound to stay entertained and busy. As always, we want to know what you’re up to. Tag us @WACOAN and use our hashtag, #WacoWeekend, for a chance to be featured in Monday’s recap. Have fun!

All Weekend

“Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan!” Relive George Bailey’s eye-opening discovery of all the lives he never realized he touched in the Waco Children’s Theatre presentation of the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Performances will be Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Lee Lockwood Library and Museum. Tickets cost $5 per person. For more details, visit wacochildrenstheatre.org.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson cordially invite you to bring your powers of deduction to “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” a presentation by Waco Civic Theatre. Experience the classic tale “The Hound of the Baskervilles” rewritten as a comedy, and watch a cast of five actors take on the challenge of portraying more than 40 characters. Tickets start at $16. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a 2:30 p.m. show Sunday. To purchase tickets, visit wacocivictheatre.org.

Have yourself a “Golden Christmas” with the Historic Waco Foundation’s 50th annual Christmas on the Brazos. Tour the historic houses, which have been decked out in Christmas decorations, and eat breakfast with Santa at the McCullough House Saturday at 9 a.m. For a full schedule and admission prices, visit historicwaco.org or call 753-5166.

Thursday, December 7

Commemorate Pearl Harbor Day with a special ceremony to accompany the Unveiling of the Doris Miller Bronze Sculpture. The statue is part of a larger memorial in Miller’s honor, which is scheduled to be dedicated Memorial Day 2018. The unveiling will take place at Bledsoe-Miller Park at 4 p.m. Other events commemorating Miller and Pearl Harbor Day will occur Friday and Saturday at Indian Spring Park. Visit dorismillermemorial.org for more information.

Friday, December 8

The Waco Symphony Orchestra presents the Holly Jolly Holiday Concert, a special, nonseason concert filled with holiday cheer, classic songs, and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Your entire family can enjoy this holiday event at 7:30 p.m. at Waco Hall. Tickets start at $30. College students with a valid student ID receive a discounted price. For details, visit wacosymphony.com.

’Twas the night before Saturday and all through the city people were becoming excited about the Waco Downtown Farmers Market Night Market! Experience this beloved Waco mainstay at a different day and time. Shop for fruits and veggies and visit all your favorite local vendors from 5-8 p.m. at Heritage Square. Visit wacodowntownfarmersmarket.org for more information.

Saturday, December 9

Did you miss the nighttime farmers market Friday? Not to worry — Waco Downtown Farmers Market will still happen at its regular time and place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 500 Washington Avenue Saturday.

Support the United Way of Waco-McLennan County by attending the Women United for United Way Fashion Show & Brunch at the Waco Hippodrome. Doors open at 10 a.m. so you can enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres before the fashion show, which starts at 11:15 a.m. and features local leaders modeling Michael Kors clothing. There will also be a silent auction and raffle items. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit unitedwaywaco.org.

Your children are sure to be filled with holiday spirit at the Kiddieland Waco Christmas Market at Lions Park from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy crafts, holiday music and rides. Learn more at kiddielandwaco.com or by visiting their Facebook page.

Waco Mammoth National Monument and the Central Texas Astronomical Society join forces to present Mammoths in the Moonlight. The event begins at 3 p.m. with an opportunity to see the sun through solar telescopes and an informative discussion about nocturnal animals. Junior rangers have the chance to earn a dark skies badge. Paid tours of the dig shelter are available until the last tour leaves at 4:15 p.m. Then, from 6-8:30 p.m., the astronomers offer their telescopes and laser stations for visitors to observe the constellations, nebulas and planets. The event ends at 8:30 p.m. Excluding the paid tours, this event is free. Visit nps.gov/waco and view the calendar for more details.

Ring in the Christmas season at the annual Hewitt Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. This year, the event will take place at the Hewitt Public Library from 5-7 p.m. Hear the talents of the Spring Valley Elementary third grade choir and the Jubilee Woodwind Quintet. Everyone in the family will have fun caroling, drinking hot chocolate, eating cookies and participating in various holiday activities. Tell Santa what you want for Christmas before you take a picture with him. The event is free, but donations of new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots are encouraged. For more information, visit hewittchamber.com.

Don’t miss the real Santa perched atop the fire truck in The McGregor Christmas Parade! The evening parade is a moving light show with creative floats, festive decorations and bright lights that will be wonderful to watch. The parade begins at 6 p.m. and travels down Main Street. After the parade, head over to Legacy Park for Cookies with Santa. Yes, hot chocolate is also available. Visit mcgregorfoundersday.com to learn more.

Sunday, December 10

Listen to the angelic voices of the Youth Chorus of Central Texas. Children ages 9 to 16 will perform in this Christmas Concert at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church from 3-5 p.m. Admission costs $5. For details, visit youthchorusofcentraltexas.org.