Feel the holiday cheer this #WacoWeekend at It’s a Kiddieland Christmas, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” and all the live music events. 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 November 30 through December 2, 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 downtown during December.
Brazos Theatre welcomes you to its annual Christmas Radio Show Friday and Saturday! Gather with friends and hear a 1940s-style radio broadcast of the Christmas classic “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a holiday reception of mulled wine and hors d’oeuvres followed by the show at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices start at $17.50. For more information, visit brazostheatre.com.
Spend Christmas at the Zoo and enjoy fun special activities. Take a picture with Santa at the Pavilion or cruise around the zoo on a train. The event is from 3-5 p.m. at Cameron Park Zoo Friday and Saturday. Hang around Friday for Zoovie Night featuring “The Polar Express.” Gates open at 5:15 p.m., and the movie begins at dark. Movie tickets cost $5 for nonmembers and are free for zoo members. Visit cameronparkzoo.com for details.
Kiddieland Waco invites you to It’s a Kiddieland Christmas, featuring its own North Pole Express. Enjoy train rides, cocoa, snacks, Christmas lights and readings of “The Polar Express” each hour. The event will take place Saturday and Sunday from 6-9 p.m. Visit facebook.com/kiddielandwaco to learn more.
Can’t get enough of “It’s a Wonderful Life”? Then watch the Waco Children’s Theatre’s production of the Christmas classic. Performances will be held at Lee Lockwood Library and Museum. Showtimes are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission costs $8 for the Saturday performance at 2 p.m. All other shows cost $10. For details, call 776-0707.
Watch what happens when three actors decide to stop performing “A Christmas Carol” each year in favor of making their own holiday extravaganza: “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” Jubilee Theatre’s production combines all Christmas stories, holiday traditions from around the world and a mash-up of every Christmas song. Tickets cost $7 for children ages 3-11, $10 for students and seniors, and $12 for adults. Shows are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Call 753-4900 to learn more.
Anyone care for some live music? Don’t miss The Backyard’s Winterfest! The three-day winter festival features 11 performers, including Cody Cannon of Whiskey Myers, Roger Creager and Flatland Cavalry. Tickets cost $25 each day or $40 for a three-day pass. Minors will also pay a small upcharge when they arrive at the event. Single-day ticket prices increase $5 the day of the event. Shows begin Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. To view the full lineup and to purchase tickets, visit backyardwaco.com.
Thursday, December 13
Hear your favorite holiday songs at First Woodway’s special Christmas Concert with David Phelps, benefiting 12 local charities. Award-winning artist Phelps comes to Waco for his “It Must Be Christmas” 20th anniversary tour. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets cost between $20 and $40. VIP tickets with a preshow reception cost $100. Visit facebook.com/first.woodway to purchase tickets.
Do you love Texas-style Christmas music? Now’s your chance to see legendary singer-songwriter Michael Martin Murphey as he stops in Waco on his 25th anniversary Cowboy Christmas Tour. Tickets cost between $30 and $65, and the show starts at 7 p.m. at Waco Hippodrome. To learn more, visit wacohippodrometheatre.com.
Live Music
• Pat McKee & Trammell Kelly (jazz), Balcones Distillery, 5 p.m.
• Connally High School Band Christmas Concert, Connally High School, 6 p.m.
• Ryan Diaz, La Fiesta, 7 p.m.
• Live Music, The Grape, 7 p.m.
Friday, December 14
Santa is rolling into town on the Waco Transit System (301 South Eighth Street). Stop by from 1-5 p.m. for the seventh annual Santa at the Station. The whole family can take a picture with the friendly guy in the big red suit. Free milk, cookies and face painting make the day even better. Visit wacotransitsystem.com for details.
Laugh the night away with comedian Carlos Mencia. Go with friends and enjoy the pure joy of stand-up comedy. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Waco Convention Center. Tickets cost $30 for general admission and $45 for VIP. To purchase tickets, visit popup.seatengine.com/events/26802.
Listen to the angelic voices of the Youth Chorus of Central Texas. The chorus of children between ages 9 and 16 will perform in its Christmas Concert at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. Admission costs $5. For details, visit youthchorusofcentraltexas.org.
Live Music
• Cesar Chavez Choir (Sounds of the Season), Waco City Hall, 11 a.m.
• Alta Vista Elementary School (Sounds of the Season), Waco City Hall, 1 p.m.
• St. Paul’s Episcopal School (Sounds of the Season), Waco City Hall, 2:15 p.m.
• Cesar Chavez Choir (holiday), Waco Mammoth National Monument, 2:30 p.m.
• Live Music, Taste by Kissing Tree Vineyards, 6 p.m.
• Red Watterson (blues), Kissing Tree Vineyards, 7 p.m.
• Live Music, The Grape, 7 p.m.
• Brian & Jeremy (acoustic), La Fiesta, 7 p.m.
• Eric & Thomas (acoustic), Waco Winery, 8 p.m.
• Cami Maki (Americana), Papa Joe’s, 8 p.m.
• Bruce Carbonara (jazz), Klassy Glass, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 15
Everyone could use a little seasonal joy, 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.
Get your legs moving to the Waco Downtown Farmers Market! Still need to buy some gifts for the holidays? Shop local with the special winter handmade farmers market. All your favorite craft vendors are sure to be there. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 500 Washington Avenue.
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.
Poetry fans, one and all, make your way to Cultivate 7twelve for the HOT Poets Society’s Open Mic Night! Whether you’re a poet or simply intrigued by poetry, bring your favorite poems to read. They can be written by you or by someone else. All that matters is everyone’s shared love for poetry. The event will be from 2-4 p.m. Visit facebook.com/HOTpoetssociety for details.
Have a holly jolly good time while supporting Mission Waco at its Christmas Concert Fundraiser featuring vocalist Cynthia Clawson and pianist Bruce Greer. Donations will be accepted to benefit Mission Waco’s ministry among the poor and the marginalized. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Waco. For more information, call 753-4900.
Cozy up with a hot drink for Your Friendly Christmas Tour at Common Grounds. Feel the spirit of the season as artists Levi the Poet, Kris Rochelle and Dan Smith perform. Tickets cost between $15 and $18 and include a free hot chocolate or drip coffee. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and doors open at 6:30 p.m. Visit cgwaco.com to purchase tickets.
Live Music
• Live Music, Taste by Kissing Tree Vineyards, 6 p.m.
• Elvis Christmas, Kissing Tree Vineyards, 7 p.m., $40
• Beth Ullman (pop/jazz), The Hightop at the Hippodrome, 7 p.m.
• Michael Saldana (country), La Fiesta, 7 p.m.
• Melinda Adams & Tim Mauzey (country/rock), Blue Dog Wine & Martini Bar, 7 p.m.
• Shane Spann (folk), Sip & Swirl, Valley Mills Vineyards, 8 p.m.
• Nick Sterling Trio (Americana/country), Waco Winery, 8 p.m.
• Bobby James Gang Christmas Concert, Papa Joe’s, 8 p.m.
• Bill & Phil Show (Christmas), Tradinghouse Bar Grill, 8 p.m.
• Dave Wild Klassy Christmas (jazz), Klassy Glass, 8:30 p.m.
• Waylon Pierce (country), The Melody Ranch, 9 p.m.
• Billy Holt Band (country), Smiley’s Country Club, 9 p.m.
Sunday, December 16
Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church welcomes you to its Nine Lessons and Carols, part of its Sacred Arts Series. The Saint Alban’s choir will present nine short bible readings with carols and hymns sung at various intervals. The free event will begin at 6 p.m. followed by a festive reception. Visit stalbanswaco.org/concerts or facebook.com/stalbanswaco to learn more.
