Top Things to do in Waco this Weekend
Valentine’s may be over, but there’s still a celebration to be had. From Mardi Gras parties to live music to a night out for parents, there’s plenty to make this a memorable Waco weekend. Be sure to tag us @wacoan and use #WacoWeekend for a chance to be featured!
Through The Weekend
Cardboard Craze
Get crafty with the Mayborn in their continuing exhibit Cardboard Craze. By using Waco’s recycled materials, visitors can build different formations with sustainable materials. This exhibit will be open until April 2nd located at 1300 S. University Parks Drive. Thursday through Saturday hours for the Museum are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday hours are 1:00-5:00 p.m. For more information on the exhibit and price list, visit Mayborn’s website.
Art A La Carte- A Collective Exhibition
View and visit a collection of 18 local artists’ work at the Art Center Waco, 701 S 8th Street. The Art Center opens Thursday and Friday morning at 11:00 a.m. and will close at 5:00 p.m., and Saturday it will open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 2:00 p.m. The gallery is free to view.
Two-hour Wheel Throwing Workshop at Black Oak Art Pottery
Want to spend a relaxing afternoon working on your pottery craft? Consider going to Black Oak Art Pottery’s Two-Hour Wheel Throwing Workshop Thursday and Friday from 2:00–4:00 p.m. This workshop includes taking home two glazed pieces at the price of $80, all materials are included. Black Oak Art’s Studio is located at 1619 Franklin Avenue.
“SWEAT”- Wild Imaginings
The Jubilee Theatre is presenting the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “SWEAT”. This play is about a group of friends who have worked in a factory, but they are laid off and take their grievances to the picket line. “SWEAT” will be performing from Thursday to Sunday with varying times. For showtimes and ticket prices, click here.
Mini Black History Museum
The Dewey Community Center, located at 925 N. 9th Street, will be showcasing African Americans’ impact on the country and the globe. This mini museum is free and open to the public Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This museum will be open until February 28th. For more information, click here.
Thursday- February 16
Piano Happy Hour with Dave Innis
Original member of six-time Grammy-nominated Restless Heart, Dave Innis is joining Stay Classy Waco every Thursday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. for their happy hour piano night. Innis is Stay Classy’s new ‘Artist in Residence’. Enjoy his music while enjoying a drink. Stay Classy is located at 723 Austin Avenue, for more information visit their website.
Midnight Mustangs – Boot Scootin’ Dance Club
Get your cowboy boots ready with the Boot Scootin’ Dance Club. Styles of dance include two steps, polka, waltzes and a special appearance—the chicken dance. Guests will meet at the Sul Ross Senior Center, 1414 Jefferson Avenue, from 7:00-9:15 p.m. There is a $6 cover charge.
Darts Tournament
Throw a dart in the dark and consider this Thursday might be your chance to win the Clicks Billiards dart tournament. Their dart tournament is from 7:00–11:00 p.m. at 1200 Richland Drive #8001, with a $10 entry fee. If you’re not feeling confident about this go-around but still want to be a part of the action, there will be food, drinks and other games available to customers.
Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night
Get your geek on at TrueLove Bar, 414 Franklin Avenue, with their weekly trivia night at 7:00 p.m. You can bring a team with up to six people or show up and join a pre-existing team. There are 60 questions over a 2-hour period with a chance to win free drinks and prizes.
Songwriter Thursday
Share with the audience your heart, soul, and lyrics at The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill’s, 511 S 8th Street, Songwriter Thursday. The one requirement is that your song must be original. Sign-ups begin at 6:00 p.m. and the show starts at 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Trivia Night @ Brotherwell Brewing
Each week, Brotherwell Brewing invites Wacoans to join in on their Trivia Night. Each week, a new guest hosts the game where teams can earn points and win prizes. Trivia Night will be held at 400 E Bridge Street from 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Baylor Jazz Ensemble Concert
Have an evening of tooting trumpets and whisky saxophone by watching the Baylor Jazz Ensemble. Under the direction of Alex Parker, this concert is from 7:30-9:00 p.m. The event is located at Jones Concert Hall in Glennis McCrary Music Building, 110 Baylor Avenue, and is free to the public.
Mack Abernathy and Bob Arnold, Lakeside Bar & Live Music, 6:30 p.m.
Keaton Nail, Barnett’s Public House, 7:00 p.m.
Songwriter night with Jonna Mae, Texas Music Cafe, 7:00 p.m.
Friday- February 17
Parents Night Out
Do you desperately need someone to take care of your child so you can go on a date night or a night with friends? Lucky for you, the Bledsoe-Miller Community Center, 300 N Martin Luther King Blvd, will be hosting a Parent’s Night Out from 6:00-10:00 p.m. Kids will have activities and a meal planned, the cost is $15 per child. For more information, visit their website.
Chris Low Band, Fuzzy Taco Shop (Downtown location), 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Kris Holub, Fuzzy Taco Shop (Hewitt location), 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Ethan Smith & the Dirt Road Rebellion, Undercroft Social Club, 7:00 p.m.
Sloppy Joe, Aloft Waco Baylor Hotel, 7:00 p.m.
The Union Revival, Pivovar, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Al Staehely, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Freddy Steady Krc and Chris Maresh, with Grace Harrison, Texas Music Cafe, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Thomas Csorba with Jake Paleschic, Pinewood Public House, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Sanger Heights Blues Allstars, Stay Classy Waco, 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Marcus Miller, The Blue Dog Wine and Martini Bar, 8:00-11:00 p.m.
Jesse Dean, Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon, 8:00-11:00 p.m.
Kin Faux, The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 8:30-10:30 p.m.
Saturday-February 18
Bound for the Brave Run
Support local law enforcement at the Woodway Youth Commission 5K and 10K run benefitting the Texas Police Chiefs Association Foundation and the Heart of Texas 100 Club. The race starts at 8 a.m. at 1 Pavilion Way. Register for $3o here.
Waco Downtown Farmers Market
The Farmers Market is a great way to shop locally and responsibly. Vendors offer fresh produce and products such as vegetables, fruits, jellies, jams, meat and dairy. Grab your favorite goods from the Downtown Farmer’s Market this Saturday from 9:00–1:00 p.m. at 500 Washington Avenue. Get this week’s vendor lineup here.
Pickleball Tournament
Get together a team of two to four players and join the Texas Sports & Social Club’s Indoor Pickleball Winter Tournament Series for a fun day of competition. Check-in is from 10-10:15 a.m. at the Legends Sports Center at 123 N Hewitt Dr. Register here.
Eastside Market
Shop at Waco’s local vendor market from 12:00-5:00 p.m. at 400 East Bridge Street. Eastside Market has 30 vendors selling clothing, food, drinks, antiques, artwork and more. Be sure to also stop inside Brotherwell Brewing for craft beers.
Waco Pop Hunters
The Waco Pop Hunters are back at Southern Roots Brewing from 12-5 p.m. with vendors and a special celebrity guest. Grow your collection and enjoy a slice of pizza.
Book Talk by author Nancy Grayson
Remember Lula Jane’s Bakery? For Wacoans who have missed the cinnamon rolls and specialty cakes, this event is for you. Dr. Nancy Grayson, owner of Luna Jane’s Bakery, is hosting a live demonstration of baking one of her desserts at East Waco Library. Located at 901 Elm Avenue, Grayson will be talking about her new cookbook Buttermilk Pie! There will be free samples and she will be signing copies. This event is free and open to the public from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Mardi Gras Party at Barnett’s
Party New Orleans style with Barnett’s Public House, 420 Franklin Avenue, from 12:00 p.m. to 11:55 p.m. There will be live music by DJ Flex Aces and Cody Lee Stone. Barnett’s will be serving New Orleans-style drink specials and kicking off the crawfish season with crawfish, shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes. If that isn’t enough for you, there will also be a corn hole tournament, with a fee of $40 per team.
Baylor Women’s Basketball vs. Iowa State
Wear your green and gold to cheer on the Lady Bears as they battle it out on the court with Iowa State. The game is located at the Ferrell Center, 1900 S University Parks Drive, with tip-off at 5:00 p.m. Tickets for the game can be purchased here.
Mardi Gras Ball
Fish out your beads and black-tie apparel and support the Advocacy Center at their annual Mardi Gras Ball. Located at the Base at Extraco Event Center, 4401 Bosque Blvd, the door will open at 7:00 p.m. There will be a complimentary valet service, catering from The Olive Branch, live music and an open bar.
Growing Pens open mic poetry night
Share your lines with the Undercroft social club at their open mic poetry night. The Undercroft is located at 712 Austin Avenue and will be from 8:00-10:00 p.m. If you are not a member of the club, guests must pay a day-pass fee.
Comedy Night at the Brazos
Have a night full of laughter at the Brazos Theatre Stand-Up Comedy Showcase. This show is rated R and tickets can be found here. The event is located at 7524 Bosque Blvd Suite Q and doors open at 7:30 p.m. The snack bar will be open and guests can BYOB.
Burn the Wicked, The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 6:00-10:00 p.m.
American Merit and Doc Dockery, Texas Music Cafe, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Rewind Party Band, Twisted Sisters, 8:00 p.m.
Tyler Stokes, Last Chance Bar, 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Sunday- February 19
Sketch Artist Social Club
Sketch Artist Social Club hosted by Casket and Cauldron, 1601 Washington Avenue, is for the artists and the viewers. Local artists: Come meet and make new friends and show off your art. People who love art: Come kick it, munch some donuts and coffee, and check out all the awesome artists of Waco every Sunday from 9:00-1:00 p.m.
Baylor Camerata Spring Concert
Enjoy listening to Baylor’s very own Camerata ensemble, a small chamber orchestra. These musicians will be playing at Roxy Grove Hall (located inside Waco Hall), 624 Speight Avenue from 5:00-6:30 p.m. This concert is free and open to the public or if you can’t make it in person, join their livestream.
Open Mic Night with Clinton Bon Slaughter, Lakeside Bar & Live Music, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
