The annual Waco Wonderland returns to downtown Waco this weekend with three fun days for the whole family. With fireworks on Friday night, a parade on Saturday morning, Mistletoe Market, arts and crafts for kids, and a whole lot more—there’s something for everyone.
Admission is free, but there is a $10 wristband fee for unlimited rides on the Ferris wheel, snow tube hill, and the trackless train.
You can’t swing an elf on the shelf this time of year without hitting a holiday market, but one of the more interesting ones to check out is this Saturday afternoon at the Wine Shoppe in Uptown Waco.
The always eclectic Studio Grocery—as well as the Ellen Mote Studio—will be on hand with vintage furniture, clothing, and other goods guaranteed to satisfy even the hardest-to-please people on your shopping list. And in addition to the wine available, Pinewood will be there with coffee, and you can enjoy treats from What We Baked.
Christmas concerts are almost as prevalent these days as holiday markets, but Santa Swingtime!, presented by the Waco Jazz Orchestra, needs to be on your radar. Hear holiday classics reimagined with a jazz twist on Monday night at McLennan Community College’s Ball Performing Arts Center.
(And better yet, it’s free!)
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, November 30
Thirsty Thursday | Pivovar | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thirsty Thursday Karaoke | Los Cucos Mexican Cafe | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
North Pole Palooza | Extraco Events Center | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Dr Pepper Museum Volunteer Program Information Session | Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Waco Civic Theatre | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wild Lights | Cameron Park Zoo | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
$20 Steak Night | Barnett’s Whiskey House | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sabor: Taste the Nations Dinner | Cameron Park Clubhouse | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
City Orchard Pint Night | Dancing Bear Pub | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Dinner & Movie: Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone (SOLD OUT) | Pivovar | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Trivia Night | Fuzzy’s Taco Shop | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Merry Motown Christmas | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
DJ Sauvesito & Cowboys Watch Party | JRG’s Bar & Grill | 7:00 pm – midnight
$3 Thursday College Night with DJ Euby | Freight Bar | 7:00 pm – 2:00 am
Waco Brew Theology | Bare Arms Brewing | 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
The Old Friends Band | Sul Ross Boot Scootin’ Dance Club | 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm
Trivia Night | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Highlander Holiday | Ball Performing Arts Center | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
'Twas the Night Before Christmas | University Baptist Church | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Thursday Karaoke | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
A Baylor Christmas 2023 (SOLD OUT) | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Waco Civic Theatre | 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
fooligan with Cordoba | Common Grounds | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Friday, December 1
Santa at the Silos | Magnolia Press | noon – 5:00 pm
Sing-Along with Santa | Richland Mall | 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Waco Wonderland | Heritage Square | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
North Pole Palooza | Extraco Events Center | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Waco Civic Theatre | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wild Lights | Cameron Park Zoo | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Calle 7 Plaza | 7th Street Plaza | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Christmas Gala & Silent Auction Fundraiser | Cultivate 7twelve | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Season of Smiles: Lights of Love | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Zechariah Grey | Slow Rise on the Brazos | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Lauren January & Becca Ward | Uncle Worm’s Smoke House | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wild Imaginings' Pajama Party | University Baptist Church | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Three Guys & A Beer Improv Comedy | The Tipsy Lion Bar & Grill | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Five-Course Specialty Dinner & Wine Pairing | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Ballou's Cats | Fuzzy’s Taco Shop | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Brazos Brothers | Camp Fimfo | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
'Twas the Night Before Christmas | University Baptist Church | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
A Baylor Christmas 2023 (SOLD OUT) | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Waco Civic Theatre | 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Darrell "D-Rail" Ray | Last Chance Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Jesse Dean | Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Monte Rose | Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Kolby Cooper with Logan Jahnke | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Zachary Burnett & The Washed Up Kids | Freight Bar | 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Tandyland with Flex Aces & Nemo | Waco Hippodrome Theatre | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
DJ Chris Garcia | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 9:00 pm – 1:00 am
Saturday, December 2
Waco International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship | BASE at Extraco Events Center | 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Holiday Makers Market | Ramble & Company Waco | 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Family Day | Art Center Waco | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Christmas Market | Victorious Life Church | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Waco Wonderland | Heritage Square | 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Community Workshop: Herbs! | Urban REAP | 11:00 am – noon
Santa at the Silos | Magnolia Press | noon – 5:00 pm
GW Chaudoin Benefit | Clicks Billiards | noon – 8:00 pm
Sing-Along with Santa | Richland Mall | 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
North Pole Palooza | Extraco Events Center | 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm
How The Grinch Lost Christmas! | Barnes & Noble | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
A Seussified Christmas Carol | University Baptist Church | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Holiday Sip & Shop | Wine Shoppe | 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Ciderday | Dancing Bear Pub | 4:00 pm – midnight
Japanese Whisky Tasting | Barnett’s Whiskey House | 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Waco Civic Theatre | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Sip & Savor | Camp Fimfo | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Season of Smiles: Lights of Love | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wild Lights | Cameron Park Zoo | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Kolten Benton | Slow Rise on the Brazos | 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm
Christmas on the Brazos Dinner | Earle Harrison House & Pape Gardens | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Live Jazz Saturday with the Dave Wild Trio | Segovia Wine Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Bohemian Pirates Band | Mynar’s Bar | 7:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Ryan Paul Davis | Camp Fimfo | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Dr Pepper Paranormal Experience | Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Ugly Christmas Sweater Improv Comedy Show | Brazos Theatre | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
'Twas the Night Before Christmas | University Baptist Church | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Tyler Stokes | Last Chance Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Ed Leonard & Friends | VFW Post 6008 | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sundae Drivers | The Tipsy Lion Bar & Grill | 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Rude Ant Karaoke | Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Colton Hawkins & Joey Dvorak | Wolf’s Sports Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Braxton Keith with Chandler Pearson | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Joe Parker Band | Elk Hall | 8:30 pm – 12:30 am
Rewind Party Band | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday, December 3
Waco International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship | BASE at Extraco Events Center | 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Waco Roller Derby vs. Fountain City Zombies | Skate Waco Bellmead | 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Holiday Makers Market | Ramble & Company Waco | 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Winter Solstice Vendor Market | Skellington Curiosities | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
First Sunday Coffee Hangout | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | 10:30 am – noon
Seafood Sunday | The Brazos Landing | 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday Brunch | The Turn Bar & Grill | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Christmas Toy & Food Drive | Rocky’s Roadhouse | noon – 6:00 pm
Waco Wonderland | Heritage Square | noon – 6:00 pm
Sing-Along with Santa | Richland Mall | 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
North Pole Palooza | Extraco Events Center | 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Open Mic with Steve Dansby | Last Chance Bar | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
A Seussified Christmas Carol | University Baptist Church | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
A Baylor Christmas 2023 (SOLD OUT) | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Pups N' Palooza | Extraco Events Center | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Waco Civic Theatre | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Wild Lights | Cameron Park Zoo | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Season of Smiles: Lights of Love | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Open Mic Night | Lakeside Bar | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Service Industry Night | Freight Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Service Industry Sunday | Clicks Billiards | 7:00 pm – 1:00 am
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Monday, December 4
Pet Photos with Santa | Richland Mall | 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Christmas on 5th Street | Bill Daniel Student Center | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Acoustic Open Mic | Taqueria Mexicano Grill 15 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Season of Smiles: Lights of Love | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Piano Lab Holiday Recital | Waco Hall | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Monday Night Lights Mountain Bike Ride | Bicycle World | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Monday Funday Market with Teresita's Birria | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
4-Course Holiday Beer Dinner | BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Karaoke Mondays | The Crying Shame | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Trivia Night | Lakeside Bar | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Santa Swingtime! | Ball Performing Arts Center | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Campus Orchestra Concert | Waco Hall | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Tuesday, December 5
Play & Create (SOLD OUT) | Art Center Waco | 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Grassroots Community Christmas Party | Grassroots Community Development | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
34th Annual Feast of Sharing Holiday Dinner | BASE at Extraco Events Center | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Cocktails with Jen | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 5:00 pm – midnight
Baylor Bronze Handbell Ensemble | Waco Hall | 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Sarah Nazarian | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
CTHCC Family Skate Night Fundraiser | Skate World Waco | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Season of Smiles: Lights of Love | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Karaoke Night | Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Beer Garden Yoga | Brotherwell Brewing | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Towne Tuesday Open Mic | The Crying Shame | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Open Mic Night | Bare Arms Brewing | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Waco Community Band | Ball Performing Arts Center | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Chamber Singers Christmas Concert (SOLD OUT) | Armstrong Browning Library | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Booze Clues Trivia | Dancing Bear Pub | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wednesday, December 6
The Meetup | Startup Waco | 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Story Time: Holidays! | Cameron Park Zoo | 10:00 am – noon
Pint Night Wednesdays & Karaoke | Barnett’s Whiskey House | 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Bridge Street Farmers Holiday & Farmers Market | Bridge Street Plaza | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Christmas Bingo | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Live Figure Drawing | Cultivate 7twelve | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
WPN Parent Group Meetup | Good Neighbor House | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Season of Smiles: Lights of Love | WM Dentistry | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wild Lights | Cameron Park Zoo | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Trivia Night | Bare Arms Brewing | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
League of Legends League Night | Nexus Waco | 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Mack Abernathy's 1st Wednesday Fiasco | Taqueria Mexicano Grill 15 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Pictures with Santa | Sunday’s Caribbean Oasis Sports Bar & Grill | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Matt Johnson | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Open Mic Night | Last Chance Bar | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
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Coming Next Week
Paranormal Cirque, A Dr Pepper Christmas, and BIPOC Holiday Market.
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