Waco Insider #200
A Dr Pepper Christmas, Wild Lights, and Wrapped Up & Gifted Holiday Open Mic
This Saturday at 4 pm, the Dr Pepper Museum is throwing down A Dr Pepper Christmas, a free holiday blowout that’s way more than soda pop nostalgia—it’s Santa, storytelling, and DIY soda magic all under one roof.
Where else can you meet the big guy in red, craft your own custom soda flavor, and explore a museum for free while soaking in the holiday vibes? Add in holiday raffles supporting a great cause, and you’ve got a festive excuse to get your Christmas spirit fizzing.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a zoo transforms into a glowing holiday wonderland, Wild Lights at Cameron Park Zoo is your answer.
Running from 6 pm to 9 pm every Thursday through Sunday until December 31, this is Waco’s largest light display, with millions of twinkling bulbs, carolers, and warm holiday treats setting the stage for an unforgettable night. The animals may be tucked away dreaming of hay bales and snacks, but the magic is wide awake and waiting for you.
Next Tuesday night, head to Cultivate 7twelve for Wrapped Up and Gifted, an open mic night that’s all about celebrating the creative spark this space ignited before it closes in January. It’s your chance to share poetry, music, or stories while enjoying food by Revival Eastside Eatery, festive drinks, and the company of a community that’s been built through art and connection.
This isn’t just a holiday gathering—it’s a heartfelt farewell to a venue that’s meant so much to Waco’s creative scene and a chance to reflect on everything it’s accomplished.
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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Friday, December 13
Santa at the Silos | Magnolia Market at the Silos | noon – 5:00 pm
Homeschool Skate Day | Skate Waco Bellmead | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Waco Open Arts Market with Frank Exum | Cultivate 7twelve | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Story Time with The Grinch | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 5:30 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
Outdoor Om with Farm Friends | Cloven Heart Farm Sanctuary | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
He Rules the World | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Christmas Jazz Night | For Keeps Coffee | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Silent House's Nice Christmas | The Performing Arts Community Center | 7:00 pm – 8:40 pm
Miracle on 34th Street: A Christmas Radio Show | Brazos Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
It's a Wonderful Life: The Musical | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Sami Brown | Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Broke LJ, Shelly Saulters & Nick Petrini | The Will | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Abi Mae | BIG’s Mayberry Tavern | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (late tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Silent House's Naughty Christmas | The Performing Arts Community Center | 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Freaky Friday with DJ Euby | Freight Bar | 10:00 pm – 1:30 am
Saturday, December 14
Breakfast with Santa | Riesel Lions Club | 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 500 Washington Avenue | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
McLennan County Master Gardeners: Mastering Succulents | Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
China Spring Farmers & Crafters Market | First Baptist Church of China Spring | 9:00 am – noon
Fiber Arts Class (ages 5–14) | Art Center Waco | 10:00 am – 11:30 pm
Christmas Car Show with Cody Lee Stone | Bird-Kultgen Ford | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Santa at the Silos | Magnolia Market at the Silos | noon – 5:00 pm
Milk & Cookies with Santa | Harley-Davidson of Waco | noon – 4:00 pm
Brunch with Santa (SOLD OUT) | Milo All Day | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Storytime: Tamales for Christmas | Barnes & Noble | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Pivo & Paint | Pivovar | 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
2024 Christmas Party & Bicycle Giveaway | Things From the Heart Resale Shop | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
He Rules the World (matinee) | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
It's a Wonderful Life: The Musical (matinee) | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
A Dr Pepper Christmas | Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Story Time with The Grinch | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 5:30 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
Christmas Carol Paddle on the Brazos | Bledsoe-Miller Park | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Cody Lee Stone | Slow Rise on the Brazos | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
He Rules the World | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
The Nutcracker | Waco Hall | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Brazos Brothers | The Will | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
It's a Wonderful Life: The Musical | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Melinda Adams Trio | Marie’s Wine Bar | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Christmas Cabaret | The Performing Arts Community Center | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Midnight Mustangs | Elk Hall | 8:00 pm – midnight
Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (late tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Megan Urby & Shane Howard with Cody Ellinger | Wolf’s Sports Bar | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Jingle Jam Rave | Freight Bar | 9:00 pm – 1:00 am
Sunday, December 15
Sunday Outdoor Market with Dueling Hearts | The Will | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Sip Shop Skate Holiday Market | Skate World Waco | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
The Nutcracker (matinee) | Waco Hall | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
It's a Wonderful Life: The Musical (matinee) | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Matinee Dance with the Heart of Texas Road Gang | Karem Shrine | 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Bottle Share | Humidor on Austin | 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Seltzer Sunday | Freight Bar | 4:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Open Mic | Cricket’s Grill & Draft House | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Song Swap & Open Mic Night with Michael Saldana | Lakeside Bar | 6:00 pm – 9:00 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
Service Industry Night with DJ Eddie Rose | The Will | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (late tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Monday, December 16
Pet Photos with Santa | Richland Mall | 11:00 am – 7:00 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
Christmas Gift to the Community | WM Dentistry | 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
Michael Martin Murphey's Cowboy Christmas | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (late tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Tuesday, December 17
Cocktails with Jen | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 5:00 pm – midnight
Christmas Gift to the Community | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Karaoke Night | Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar | 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
Beer Garden Yoga | Brotherwell Brewing | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Smarty Pints Trivia | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Waco Vocal Academy | Marie’s Wine Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wrapped Up & Gifted Holiday Open Mic | Cultivate 7twelve | 7:00 pm – 9:00 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 18
The Meetup | Startup Waco | 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Computer Basics Series: Intro to Email | Waco Family Medicine | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Kids Eat Free Wednesday | 1424 Bistro | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Pop-Up Shop | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wine Wednesday with Stan Wilfong | Segovia Wine Bar | 6:00 pm – 8:00 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
Christmas Gift to the Community | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Slap Stix Trivia Night | Torchy’s Tacos | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Bobby Dean & The Timeless Country Band | Taqueria Mexicano Grill 15 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Music Bingo | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Open Mic Night | Last Chance Bar | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Christmas with CS Lewis | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour (late tour) | 6500 Woodway Dr | 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
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Coming Next Week
A Rat Pack Christmas, Creed Fisher, and The Dizzy Elf.
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