The spirit of the season is in the air this #wacoweekend with The Today Show at Christmas at the Silos featuring a book signing by Hoda Kotb, It’s a Kiddieland Christmas, “The Nutcracker” and lots of live music. Let us know what you’re up to by tagging @wacoan and using our hashtag, #WacoWeekend. You just might be featured in Monday’s Waco Weekend Recap. For more events, head over to our website at wacoan.com or check out our magazine at magazine.wacoan.com. Enjoy!
Throughout the Weekend
Don’t miss any of the fantastic holiday events happening around Waco throughout December. Waco Wonderland kicked off the celebration last weekend, but that was only the beginning. Downtown Waco celebrates the holidays with food, fun and cheer all month long. Check out wacowonderland.com/downtown-in-december for a full list of events happening in downtown during December.
Unruly children plus a Christmas pageant has one obvious result: mayhem! Watch the cheerful chaos in the Waco Civic Children’s Theatre’s “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Tickets cost $8 for children and $10 for adults. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. To learn more, visit wacocivictheatre.org.
Pippin, a young prince heir to the Frankish throne, seeks passion and adventure in life. Follow his journey to discover where true happiness lies in Waco High School Theatre’s “Pippin.” Tickets cost $15. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at WHS Richfield Performing Arts Center. Visit wacohigh.ticketleap.com/pippin for details.
The holidays are approaching, so spend Christmas at the Silos Friday and Saturday! Get your holiday shopping done at the Christmas market or take a picture with Santa. Kids will have the time of their lives writing letters to Santa, taking train rides and having their faces painted. All events are free from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available for the after-hour movies at 6 p.m. “The Polar Express” will be shown Friday and “It’s a Wonderful Life” Saturday. For a full schedule of events and ticket information, visit magnolia.com.
Put your hands together for Baylor University Theatre’s “CaBEARet”! Students from the Musical Theatre Workshop present their musical revue of singing, dancing and acting. Proceeds benefits the Leta Horan and Jerry MacLauchlin Endowed Scholarship for Musical Theatre. Suggested donations are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets are available at the door starting at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Jones Theatre on Baylor campus. Visit baylor.edu/theatre to learn more.
Sleigh bells may not be jingling, but the horses are ready for some fun at the Christmas Horse Show! Jumping horses will compete in both the hunting field and in the open jumpers category. The show begins at 8 a.m. Friday through Sunday at the Extraco Events Center. For details, visit lonestarhorseshows.net.
Stroll down memory lane with Historic Waco Foundation’s Christmas through the Decades Friday through Sunday. Visit historic houses decorated for Christmas in the Victorian Era, the roaring ’20s and the rocking ’50s. Tickets cost $20 each and includes admission to all three houses. Friday also features a special Candlelight tour from 6-9 p.m. and costs $25 each. Breakfast with Santa is from 9-11 a.m. Saturday at McCulloch House. Call 753-5166 or visit historicwaco.org for more information.
Kiddieland Waco invites you to It’s a Kiddieland Christmas. Kick off the event Saturday at the Christmas Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy free games, crafts and special prices for rides. Kiddieland also presents its own Polar Express with train rides, cocoa, snacks, Christmas lights and readings of “The Polar Express” each hour. The Polar Express will take place Saturday and Sunday from 6-9 p.m. Visit facebook.com/kiddielandwaco to learn more.
Thursday, December 6
How much do you know about Christmas movies? Put your knowledge to the test at Waco Hippodrome’s First Thursday Trivia: Christmas movie edition! Answer questions about all the Christmas classics. Sign up at 5:15 p.m. before the first question at 6 p.m. Teams of two to five people will compete in this fun battle of wits. To learn more, visit wacohippodrometheatre.com.
Jump for joy! The Stars Over Texas Jamboree celebrates its 100th monthly performance with a special Christmas edition. Spend a fun evening with snacks, CD giveaways, fantastic performances and a silent auction. Tickets cost $14 for adults and $12 for seniors. The event will take place at Lee Lockwood Library and Museum at 7 p.m. Call 755-7257 or visit The Stars Over Texas Jamboree’s Facebook page for details.
McLennan Community College welcomes you to a Highlander Holiday. The free concert will feature a variety of seasonal music from rock to jazz and Christmas carols to the Grinch. Hear from MCC faculty and students in solos and ensembles. The concert will be held at the Ball Performing Arts Center at MCC at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/singatmcc.
Live Music
• Pat McKee & Trammell Kelly (jazz), DiamondBack’s, 6 p.m.
• Jason Fletcher (rock/country), La Fiesta, 7 p.m.
• Live Music, The Grape, 7 p.m.
• Reckless Kelly (country rock), The Backyard, 8:30 p.m., $15-$20
Friday, December 7
You may have heard the story of Doris Miller at Pearl Harbor and how his actions that day earned him the Navy Cross. Now, a full memorial is being built in his honor. Swing by the Doris Miller Memorial for the Doris Miller Memorial Phase I Dedication Ceremony. The ceremony begins at noon. Visit dorismillermemorial.org to learn more.
Encourage your child’s imagination at Cookies & Coloring, hosted by The Art Center of Waco. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade will learn about a famous artist and one of their significant works. After the lesson, kids will be given a coloring page and a home project idea related to the artist. The free event will be held at East Waco Library from 4-5 p.m. Registration is requested but not required. For additional information, visit artcenterwaco.org.
Waco’s got hot chocolate galore for the second annual Downtown Waco Cocoa Crawl! Sip and shop your way around Waco businesses with the delicious holiday drink. Tickets cost $10 and include a commemorative Cocoa Crawl mug perfect for filling up on the tasty drink at participating merchants. Mugs will be available the day of the event at Hustle Co-Working at 605 Austin Avenue from 5-7 p.m. As the event is self-guided, no transportation will be provided. Visit 2018wacococoacrawl.splashthat.com to reserve your mug.
First Friday is back, and Downtown Waco is feeling festive! Keep Waco Beautiful welcomes Santa and Mrs. Claus to hear your Christmas requests and offers apple cider and a craft station. Some of your favorite shops will be staying open late and offering specials all day, especially after 5 p.m. For a full list of participating businesses, visit facebook.com/firstfridaywaco.
Support Waco ReStore at Elf on a Shelf Christmas Party, its annual holiday fundraiser from 6-8 p.m. Hunt for the Elf on the Shelf and win a half-price coupon, or bid in a silent auction featuring items made from ReStore materials. The event also includes discounts, a silent auction, pictures with Santa, food and live music. Admission costs $5 per person and $10 per family. For details, visit wacohabitat.org/restore.
For the first time, the annual A Dr Pepper Christmas is free! If you love Dr Pepper, don’t miss this magical night. Sing carols, make crafts and tell Santa what you want. The best part? All the wonderful Dr Pepper-themed drinks and treats, including Dr Pepper Hot Chocolate. The event will take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Dr Pepper Museum. Visit facebook.com/dpmfei to learn more.
Help save endangered Black Rhinos at Hops for Horns, hosted by Cameron Park AAZK (American Association of Zoo Keepers). Have a drink and sing karaoke. Door prizes and raffle tickets are also part of the night’s activities. Admission costs $20. The fundraiser benefits the Lewa Conservancy in Africa. Have a fun evening while supporting wild animals. The event will be held at Bare Arms Brewing from 7-9 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/cameronparkzoo.
Your evening doesn’t end without some incredible live music! Greg Bashara and Evan Klaras will get you swaying with smooth jazz at Hilton Waco. The music starts at 7 p.m.
Live Music
• Live Music, BRÛ Artisan Coffee Works, 6 p.m.
• Jennifer Pisarcik (eclectic), Taste by Kissing Tree Vineyards, 6 p.m.
• Tanner Louis (progressive country), Kissing Tree Vineyards, 7 p.m.
• Live Music, The Grape, 7 p.m.
• A Texas Country Christmas, Buzzard Billy’s, 7 p.m.
• Johnny Joe Ramos (country), La Fiesta, 7 p.m.
• Justin Cole (country), Papa Joe’s, 8 p.m.
• Deon Q (R&B/soul), Klassy Glass, 8:30 p.m.
• Mason Lively & Shea Abshier (Americana), The Backyard, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 8
Rise and shine for the beloved Waco Downtown Farmers Market. Come hungry and sample all the delicious foods available. Chat with a new vendor and learn more about their craft. Pro tip: bring your dogs for an even better morning. Find the farmers market at 500 Washington Avenue from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ring in the Christmas season at the 12th annual Central’s Market craft fair, hosted by the Disciples Women ministry of Central Christian Church. Shop from more than 25 local vendors offering clothing, jewelry, home decor and more, or browse the bake sale for delicious homemade treats. There will also be raffles and food trucks. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central Christian Church. For details, visit cccwaco.org or call 776-7768.
Everyone could use a little holiday cheer, and that’s what Gifts for Grannies and Grandpas, too, is all about. Friends for Life needs your help at its Gift Wrapping Party. Show up, listen to Christmas music and wrap donated gifts for Friends for Life’s clients. The event will last from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Afterward, you can also help deliver the gifts. To learn more, visit facebook.com/fflwaco.
Head on down to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum for Texas Ranger Talks. An active or retired Texas Ranger will share stories of their services and heritage. Choose between the 10 a.m. or the 2 p.m. presentation. Both talks will last about 30 minutes followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. Presentations are included in regular admission to the museum. For more information, visit texasranger.org.
One can never have too much Dr Pepper fun. Attend Pop-Up Saturday: Christmas at the Dr Pepper Museum from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for jolly times. Make holiday crafts and sample various holiday sodas such as spicy sugar plum fairy soda, apple cider soda and Rudolph’s nose soda. Visit facebook.com/dpmfei for details.
Have you heard? The Today Show is coming to Waco along with children’s author Hoda Kotb! Kotb will be signing copies of her book “I’ve Loved You Since Forever” from 1-3 p.m. at Magnolia Market. All you need to attend the book signing is to bring or buy a copy of Kotb’s book. The book will be available to purchase at Magnolia prior to the event.
You know Christmas is in the air when you see beautiful lights everywhere! Bring the whole family for an evening of caroling, hot chocolate, cookies and pictures with Santa for the annual Hewitt Christmas Tree Lighting at the Hewitt Public Library from 5-7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but donations of new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots are encouraged. To learn more, visit hewittchamber.com/christmas.
Line the streets for the annual McGregor Lighted Christmas Parade! At 6 p.m., the parade will travel down Main Street McGregor. Keep an eye out for Santa. If you don’t see him on a float or ride, catch him in Legacy Park after the parade. Cookies and hot chocolate will be available as well. Visit mcgregorfoundersday.com for more information.
“It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters. It’s who’s around it.” Can you name that quote? It’s none other than Charlie Brown! Head to Valley Mills Vineyards for a special Charlie Brown Christmas music event. Dave Wild Trio will play music by Vince Guaraldi and other Christmas music. The music starts at 7 p.m.
Live Music
• Jingle Jam Concert, Melody Ranch, 3 p.m.
• Live Music, Taste by Kissing Tree Vineyards, 6 p.m.
• Jennifer Pisarcik (eclectic), Kissing Tree Vineyards, 7 p.m.
• Evan Graves, The Hightop at the Hippodrome, 7 p.m.
• Jessica Lewis & Rodney Pyeatt (country), La Fiesta, 7 p.m.
• Zane Williams (country), Smiley’s Country Club, 9 p.m.
• Chris Colston (Southern rock/country), The Backyard, 9 p.m.
Sunday, December 9
Are visions of sugarplums dancing in your head? Have no fear, Waco Symphony Orchestra presents “The Nutcracker”! The special, nonseason concert is filled with holiday magic, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Tchaikovsky music and a performance by Ballet Frontier of Texas. Enjoy the holiday concert with your whole family at 2 p.m. at Waco Hall. Tickets start at $40. For details, visit wacosymphony.com.
