Waco Insider #201

Royce Montgomery's A Rat Pack Christmas, Eastside Winter Market, and Christmas Movie Double Feature—The Polar Express & A Christmas Carol: The Musical

Get ready to swing into the holidays this weekend with Royce Montgomery’s A Rat Pack Christmas at Waco Civic Theatre—a festive throwback that’s equal parts class, charm, and Christmas cheer.

With a live band backing local talents like Ann Harder, Frank Exum, and Ken Elliott, this show isn’t just music—it’s a full-on celebration of the season through the golden age of cool. Whether you’re there for the nostalgia or just to hear your favorite holiday tunes with an urbane twist, you’ll leave with your fingers snapping all the way home.

Tickets are available online.

This Saturday afternoon, the Eastside Winter Market at Brotherwell Brewing is where you’ll find the kind of unique, last-minute gifts that’ll make you the holiday MVP.

From handmade art to vintage finds, plus live graffiti art and food trucks serving up killer eats, this market is bursting with Waco’s creative energy. Add in a few cold Brotherwell brews, and you’ve got the perfect excuse to shop local, sip craft beer, and soak up the holiday vibes all in one place.

Christmas film fanatics have got to head to The Performing Arts Community Center in downtown Waco on Saturday night for a must-see holiday double feature.

Kicking off at 6 pm with The Polar Express, you’ll be whisked away on a magical journey to the North Pole, capturing the wonder and belief of the season. Then, at 8 pm, keep all the feels going strong with A Christmas Carol: The Musical, a spirited retelling of Dickens' classic that delves into redemption and the true meaning of Christmas.

Admission is $5 per movie.

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Waco Insider is produced in collaboration with Creative Waco and the City of Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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Upcoming Events

Events subject to change. Visit Waco Insider for complete event and ticket details, venue info, and newly added/updated listings.

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Thursday, December 19

• Thirsty Thursday | Pivovar | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

• Holiday Cocktails | Freight Bar | 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Customer Appreciation Party with Josh Carson | Bare Arms Brewing | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

• A Very Merry Woodway Christmas | Carleen Bright Arboretum | 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

• Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (early tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

• 4th Annual Wild Lights | Cameron Park Zoo | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Christmas Gift to the Community | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• David Matthew Doran | The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• $25 Steak Night | Barnett's Whiskey House | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Sami Brown | Lounge '93 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

• Yuletide Music with Frank Exuum | Segovia Wine Bar | 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

• Christmas Rhinestone Art Night | Cultivate 7twelve | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Midnight Mustangs | Sul Ross Boot Scootin' Dance Club | 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm

• Open Mic Night with Joel Wood | MacDaddy's Pub | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• KRIS with a K Music Bingo | Waco Ale Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Thirsty Thursday Karaoke | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Open Mic Comedy Night | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

• Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (late tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm

• Pictures with Santa Claus | T'kila y Ch'las | 10:00 pm – midnight

Friday, December 20

• Santa at the Silos | Magnolia Market at the Silos | noon – 5:00 pm

• Monthly Community Sound Bath | Providencia Urban Retreat | noon – 1:00 pm

• Homeschool Skate Day | Skate Waco Bellmead | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

• Christmas at Fabled | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

• Rewound, Psychocybin & Rad Dragon | Cultivate 7twelve | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer | Waco Civic Theatre | 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

• Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (early tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

• 4th Annual Wild Lights | Cameron Park Zoo | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Christmas Gift to the Community | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Christmas Lights in the Village | Mayborn Museum Complex | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

• Maxx "Smokinmaxx" Carter | The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Country Gospel Music | The Performing Arts Community Center | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

• Outdoor Om with Farm Friends | Cloven Heart Farm Sanctuary | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

• Dave Innis | Cambria Hotel | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

• Joe Parker | Waco Ale Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Waco Jazz Collective | Marie's Wine Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Jennifer Pisarcik & Jon Fox | Lounge '93 | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

• William Lee Martin: The Nuttier Cracker | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

• Royce Montgomery's A Rat Pack Christmas | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

• Gary Beard | Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Justin Cole | Papa Joe's Texas Saloon | 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm

• Michael Saldana & Tea Aguilar | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Tyler & Brit Stokes | The Will | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Creed Fisher | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm

• Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (late tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm

• Steve Smith Group | BIG's Mayberry Tavern | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm

• Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am

• Freaky Friday with DJ Euby | Freight Bar | 10:00 pm – 1:30 am

Saturday, December 21

• Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 500 Washington Avenue | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

• China Spring Farmers & Crafters Market | First Baptist Church of China Spring | 9:00 am – noon

• Cars & Coffee | Black Rifle Coffee Company | 9:00 am – 11:30 am

• Family Winter Crafts | Art Center Waco | 10:00 am – noon

• Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (matinee) | Waco Civic Theatre | 10:00 am – 11:30 am

• Pancakes & Photos with Santa Claus | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

• Santa at the Silos | Magnolia Market at the Silos | noon – 5:00 pm

• Sheila Stachers Benefit | Clicks Billiards | noon – 8:00 pm

• Eastside Winter Market | Brotherwell Brewing | noon – 5:00 pm

• Royce Montgomery's A Rat Pack Christmas (matinee) | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm

• Monte Rose | Slow Rise on the Brazos | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

• Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer | Waco Civic Theatre | 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

• Christmas Lights in the Village | Mayborn Museum Complex | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

• Christmas Carol Paddle on the Brazos | Bledsoe-Miller Park | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

• Christmas Double Feature: The Polar Express & A Christmas Carol: The Musical | The Performing Arts Community Center | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Christmas Gift to the Community | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (early tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

• Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• 4th Annual Wild Lights | Cameron Park Zoo | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Charlie Brown Christmas Songbook with the Dave Wild Trio | Segovia Wine Bar | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

• Rock 'n' Roll Christmas Party | Prospect Hall | 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm

• Brandon Johnson | Waco Ale Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Z: The Story of David Zychek | Texas Music Cafe | 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

• Karaoke Night Party | Route 77 Food Park | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Holiday Music Bingo! | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Stan Wilfong | Lounge '93 | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

• Royce Montgomery's A Rat Pack Christmas | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

• DJ Kaos | The Tipsy Lion Bar & Grill | 8:00 pm – 1:00 am

• Sunni Tha Rapper with Diversid | Private Hip-Hop HQ | 8:00 pm – 1:00 am

• Jay06 Band | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Christmas Pajama Party with Colton Hawkins | Wolf's Sports Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm

• Christmas Party with Pride & Joy | American Legion Post 121 | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Beer Run Band featuring JC Pringle | Rocky's Roadhouse | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Karaoke | Papa Joe's Texas Saloon | 8:00 pm – midnight

• Rewind Party Band | The Will | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (late tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm

• Christmas Party with Southern Junction | BIG's Mayberry Tavern | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm

• Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am

• Darrell "D-Rail" Ray | Tandem Rooftop Bar | 9:00 pm – midnight

• Grad Night Ugly Sweater Party | Freight Bar | 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• DJ Wyatt | Freight Bar | 11:00 pm – 1:00 am

Sunday, December 22

• Sunday Outdoor Market | The Will | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

• Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (matinee) | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

• Christmas Gift Sewing Workshop | The Performing Arts Community Center | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

• 25% Off New Whiskeys | Barnett's Whiskey House | 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

• Cultura Mia's 3rd Annual Posada | The Market | 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Seltzer Sunday | Freight Bar | 4:00 pm – 11:45 pm

• Charlie Brown Christmas Jazz with the Dave Wild Trio | Valley Mills Vineyards | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

• Open Mic Night | Cricket's Grill & Draft House | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

• The Brazos Brothers | The Will | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

• Christmas Gift to the Community | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Christmas Lights in the Village | Mayborn Museum Complex | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

• Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• 4th Annual Wild Lights | Cameron Park Zoo | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (early tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

• Song Swap & Open Mic Night with Michael Saldana | Lakeside Bar | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Service Industry Night with DJ Eddie Rose | The Will | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Royce Montgomery's A Rat Pack Christmas | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

• Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (late tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Monday, December 23

• $5 Pints & Burgers | Barnett's Whiskey House | 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Christmas Gift to the Community | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• 4th Annual Wild Lights | Cameron Park Zoo | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (early tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

• Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Karaoke Mondays | The Crying Shame | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Manic Monday | Freight Bar | 7:00 pm – 11:45 pm

• Slap Stix Trivia Night | Lakeside Bar | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

• Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (late tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Tuesday, December 24

• Christmas Eve Brunch | Barnett's Whiskey House | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

• Break-Even Bottle Night with Old Taylor 6 Year | Barnett's Whiskey House | 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Cocktails with Jen | Hemingway's Watering Hole | 5:00 pm – midnight

• Christmas Gift to the Community | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (early tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

• Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Beer Garden Yoga | Brotherwell Brewing | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

• Smarty Pints Trivia | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

• Slap Stix Trivia Tuesday | Freight Bar | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

• Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (late tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Wednesday, December 25

• Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Christmas Gift to the Community | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Need to know when to staff up for large events? Click here to view business and social events that may not be listed above.

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Coming Next Week

New Year’s Eve, Bird & Friends Cosmic Unity Improv, and Winter Performing Arts Camp.

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