Happy New Year’s, Waco! Ring in 2019 with a good cheer at one of Waco’s many New Year’s Eve events, including the Barkin’ Ball, A Black Tie Affair and the Murder Mystery, Dinner & Dance. 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. Enjoy!
Thursday, December 27
Want an evening of smooth jazz and good music? Make your way to DiamondBack’s and hear Pat McKee and Trammell Kelly play. The jazz duo will enhance your night out starting at 6 p.m.
Live Music
• Karaoke, Waco Winery, 6:30 p.m.
• Michael Saldana (country), La Fiesta, 7 p.m.
• Live Music, The Grape, 7 p.m.
Friday, December 28
Enjoy an evening of art at the Artist 2 Artist Showcase gallery night. Admire the work of talented artists from across Central Texas. The night also includes food trucks and beverages. Admission costs $10, and art pieces will be available for purchase. The event will take place from 6-10:30 p.m. at the Art Forum of Waco.
Laughter is some of the best medicine for most anything. Improviser Michael Bird presents “Bird and Friends – Cosmic Unity,” an improv show. Be prepared; the audience just might join the performers on stage. The free event will be held at Brazos Theatre from 8-9:30 p.m. Visit eventbrite.com to register.
Live Music
• Live Music, Taste by Kissing Tree Vineyards, 6 p.m.
• Live Music, The Grape, 7 p.m.
• Jason Fletcher (rock/country), La Fiesta, 7 p.m.
• Dueling Pianos, Waco Hippodrome, 7:45 p.m., $8
• TJ Bell & CaCean Ballou, Waco Winery, 8 p.m.
• Ben Rendek (country), Papa Joe’s, 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 29
Support McLennan Community College athletics as the Highlanders Basketball team plays Angelina College. The game will begin at 4 p.m. in the Highlands Gym at MCC.
Hop to your feet for the Baylor Bears! The Baylor Men’s Basketball team faces the New Orleans Privateers. Attend the game at the Ferrell Center at 5 p.m.
Do you love the old musical variety shows, such as the Ed Sullivan Show or the Dean Martin Show? Waco Hippodrome presents The Best Show Ever at 7 p.m.! The modernized and family-friendly event features fantastic and fun performances from Texas country singer Holly Tucker, Emmy Award-winning comedian Linda Stogner, Braden the Magician and so many more. Tickets cost between $15 and $28. To purchase tickets, visit wacohippodrometheatre.com.
Unwind from the week with friends, drink some wine and listen to live music by Eric & Thomas Unplugged. The music starts at 8 p.m. at Waco Winery. Visit facebook.com/ericandthomas for more information about the artists.
Live Music
• Live Music, Taste by Kissing Tree Vineyards, 6 p.m.
• Evan Graves, The Hightop at the Hippodrome, 7 p.m.
• Ed Leonard & Friends (country/rock), La Fiesta, 7 p.m.
• Jayme Wade (country), Papa Joe’s, 8 p.m.
• The Castaneda Project (eclectic), The Warehouse, 10 p.m.
Monday, December 31
It’s New Year’s Eve! How do you like to celebrate? Lighting fireworks? Dancing? Watching the Times Square Ball drop? Whatever you do and whomever you spend today with, have fun and reflect on 2018.
Want more basketball? The Baylor Lady Bears Basketball team plays the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Who will win the last game of 2018? Find out at the Ferrell Center at 12 p.m.
Good food, great friends and Barnett’s Public House makes for a memorable New Year’s Eve Celebration. VIP tickets cost $75 and include dinner at 8 p.m. and champagne. General admission tickets include champagne, an appetizer bar and a dessert bar. These tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the door. To learn more, visit facebook.com/barnettspublichouse.
Is dancing and solving a murder mystery up your alley? Then spend your evening at the New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery, Dinner & Dance. Mystery, intrigue, dinner and dancing are guaranteed. Hilton Waco will provide a gourmet dinner while Brazos Theatre provides the interactive murder mystery. Dance to music by Texas Heatwave Band before a midnight champagne toast. The event will take place at Hilton Waco at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $145 and include dinner and an open bar. Visit brazostheatre.com to purchase tickets.
Fans of F. Scott Fitzgerald, ’20s attire and swing dance will love Kissing Tree Vineyards’ Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Party. Arrive via a red carpet before being presented champagne. The extravaganza also includes gourmet food, live music, confetti and more. The event will start at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $125. For more information, visit kissingtreevineyards.com.
Cirque de Soleil has nothing on Fuzzy Friends Rescue’s “Cirque Celebration” at its annual New Year’s Eve Barkin’ Ball. Enjoy good food by Eddie Deen, an open bar, silent and live auctions, and live music by The Project. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Waco Convention Center. Visit call 714-2150 or visit fuzzyfriendsrescue.com for ticket prices.
Dress to impress for Hotel Indigo Waco’s A Black Tie Affair New Year’s Eve party. What do you get when you combine a red carpet entrance, hors d’oeuvres, sushi rolling, cocktails, photo ops and more? A fabulous party, of course! Attire is trendy semi-formal. Tickets cost $125, and the party starts at 9 p.m. For details, visit facebook.com/hotelindigowacobaylor.
Live Music
• New Year’s Eve Celebration with the Bill & Phil Show, Big’s Mayberry Tavern, 5 p.m., $15
• 2 Year’s Eve with Shane Watson Band & Huser Brother Band (country), The Melody Ranch, 7 p.m., $10-$15
• Bubba Haze New Year’s Bash, Papa Joe’s, 8:30 p.m.
• New Year’s Eve Bash with 35 South Band (country), Smiley’s Country Club, 9:30 p.m., $15-$20
Tuesday, January 1
Can you believe it? The year 2019 is here! If you stayed up until midnight to celebrate the start of New Year’s Day, catch up on sleep. Are you making any resolutions? How do you plan to start the year?
Kick off the new year with a Champagne Brunch at Barnett’s Public House. Wonderful food plus sweet deals on champagne plus college football playoffs? Now that’s one fun way to begin 2019. The brunch will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit facebook.com/barnettspublichouse to learn more.
