Waco Insider #194

Austin Avenue Art Fair, Dia de Los Muertos Parade & Festival, and MACT Music & Arts Festival

Stop by Anthem STORIES this Friday through Sunday for the Austin Avenue Art Fair, where art hits the streets and becomes part of the pulse of downtown Waco. Over three days, you'll see everything from live painting to a stunning array of local artists and creatives showing off their work.

But it’s not just about viewing art—you can take part in pop-up exhibits, grab some killer local eats, and hear live music by The Lindsley Brothers, Suede, and others. If you're looking to experience art that’s happening now, not hanging in a gallery, this is your weekend.

See the full schedule.

On Saturday afternoon, head to Indian Spring Park on the Brazos River to celebrate Día de los Muertos Waco. The festival kicks off with a lively parade, followed by traditional Folklorico dancing, live music, and a market featuring local artisans.

Visitors can also join family-friendly activities like sugar skull decorating and calavera face painting while enjoying bites from local food trucks. This celebration is a vibrant homage to loved ones, mixing art, music, and community in a powerful tribute to life.

Salado is typically a little far afield for us to include in our weekly newsletter, but we always make an exception for the annual Music Association of Central Texas (MACT) Music & Arts Festival, where local music, craft brews, and Texas spirit collide.

Hosted by Barrow Brewing on Saturday, with indoor and outdoor stages, on the banks of Salado Creek, hear a bevy of local musicians, including Morgan Lee Powers, Dueling Hearts, The Lindsley Brothers, and many others. Plus, once the sun goes down, co-headliners Lance Wade Thomas and Taylor Branch and the Lone Star Ramblers will perform.

See the full schedule.

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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, October 31

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

• Free Halloween Uber, Lyft & Cab Rides | The Zimmerman Law Firm | 5:00 pm – 10:00 am

• Trunk or Treat | MCC Highlands Gym | 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

• Dinner Theatre: Murder at Astor Manor | Brazos Theatre | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Johnny Joe Ramos | The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

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

• Scary-Oke | Truelove Bar | 6:00 pm – 2:00 am

• Halloween Party | The Dog House | 6:00 pm – midnight

• Small Business Trick or Treat | Route 77 Food Park | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

• YA Halloween Party | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Mystery Night at 1928 (SOLD OUT) | Hotel 1928 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

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

• Johnnie Bradshaw & The Out of the Blue Band | Sul Ross Boot Scootin' Dance Club | 7:00 pm – 9:15 pm

• House of Dracula (early show) | East Terrace House | 7:00 pm – 7:45 pm

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

• Halloween Karaoke | BIG's Mayberry Tavern | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• 1st Annual Halloween Party | Marie's Wine Bar | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• '80s-Themed Halloween Party | Lounge '93 | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

• Halloween Organ Concert | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

• Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

• Open Mic Night | Rocky's Roadhouse | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Dave Wild | Hotel Herringbone | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Thirsty Thursday Karaoke & Halloween Costume Contest | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Halloween Party | Hemingway's Watering Hole | 8:00 pm – 2:00 am

• Halloween Party | Freight Bar | 8:00 pm – 2:00 am

• House of Dracula (late show) | East Terrace House | 8:30 pm – 9:15 pm

• Karaoke on the Patio | Austin's on the Avenue | 9:00 pm – midnight

• Halloween Party | Tandem Rooftop Bar | 9:00 pm – midnight

Friday, November 1

• Kids College Fridays | MCC Community Services Center | 8:00 am – 3:30 pm

• Deck the Halls Holiday Gift Market 2024 | BASE at Extraco Events Center | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

• Café y Pan Dulce | AC Hotel | 9:30 am – 10:30 am

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

• Playwriting Competition | Performing Arts Community Center | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Ellie Cerwin: She's Still a Part of Me | Cultivate 7twelve | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Austin Avenue Art Fair | Anthem STORIES | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

• Steve Dansby | Slow Rise on the Brazos | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

• Dia de los Muertos Celebration | Waco Memorial Park | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• David Matthew Doran | Uncle Worm's Smoke House | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Marty Floyd | 1424 Bistro | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

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

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

• Touch of Grey | The Will | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Brazos Brothers | Segovia Wine Bar | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Friday Game Night | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• The Yacht Crew | Lounge '93 | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

• Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

• Darrell "D-Rail" Ray | Papa Joe's Texas Saloon | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Zakk & Heather Ballard | Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Justin Cole | 3R Roadhouse | 8:00 pm – midnight

• Chris Perez | Wolf's Sports Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Nightmare on Drag Street | Brazos Theatre | 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

• South Austin Moonlighters | Texas Music Cafe | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Jayme Wade | Tokio Store | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm

• Pecos & The Rooftops | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm

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

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

• Dia de los Muertos Rave | Freight Bar | 9:00 pm – 1:00 am

Saturday, November 2

• 23rd Annual Leatherneck Run | First Woodway Baptist Church | 7:45 am – 10:30 am

• 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

• Deck the Halls Holiday Gift Market 2024 | BASE at Extraco Events Center | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

• Customer Birthday Bash | Harley-Davidson of Waco | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

• Homestead Weekly Market | Homestead Heritage | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

• Austin Avenue Art Fair | Anthem STORIES | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

• MACT Music & Arts Festival | Barrow Brewing Company | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

• Car Show | Carquest Auto Parts | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

• Mary Avenue Market | Segovia Wine Bar | noon – 4:00 pm

• Useless Machine Workshop | MAKER's EDGE Creation Studio | 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

• Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame (matinee) | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

• Waco ISD Children's Music Festival | University High School | 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

• 2024 Dia de los Muertos Waco Parade & Festival | Indian Spring Park | 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Fortnite Tournament | Nexus Waco | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Open Mic Night | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Dr Pepper Paranormal Experience | Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• College Football: TCU vs. Baylor | McLane Stadium | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Sunny Sauceda y Todo Eso with DJ Augie | BIG's Mayberry Tavern | 7:00 pm

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

• Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Waco Civic Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

• Rich & Fam | Thrst Coffee | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

• Improv Comedy Show | Brazos Theatre | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

• Sloppy Joe Band | The Will | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm

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

• The Bill & Phil Show | Tradinghouse Bar & Grill | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Colton Rice with Caleb Young | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm

• Nick Dennard | Tandem Rooftop Bar | 9:00 pm – midnight

• Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 1:00 am

Sunday, November 3

• Jingle My Bells Polka Brunch | Shoppe 826 | 10:00 am – noon

• Deck the Halls Holiday Gift Market 2024 | BASE at Extraco Events Center | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

• WPN First Sunday Coffee Hangout | Common Grounds (Franklin Ave) | 10:30 am – 11:30 am

• Austin Avenue Art Fair | Anthem STORIES | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

• CTJS Jazz Jam | Segovia Wine Bar | 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

• The CenTex Country Band | Rocky's Roadhouse | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

• Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame (matinee) | Waco Civic Theatre | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

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

• Sam Cates | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

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

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

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

Monday, November 4

• 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

• Fauré Commemoration Recital | Waco Hall | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Tuesday, November 5

• Piano Hour | Waco Hall | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

• Woodwind Hour | Glennis McCrary Music Building | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

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

• Karaoke Night | Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar | 6:00 pm – 9:00 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

• Booze Clues Trivia | Dancing Bear Pub | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

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

Wednesday, November 6

• The Meetup | Startup Waco | 9:00 am – 10:00 am

• Plug into Community Conversations Conference | Waco Convention Center | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

• Fabled Story-Time | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 10:30 am – 11:30 am

• Indigenous ACE | Mayborn Museum Complex | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

• Waco Tourism-Friendly Celebration | Cameron Park Zoo | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

• Kids Eat Free Wednesday | 1424 Bistro | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Diwali Festival 2024 | Bridge Street Plaza | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

• Kids' Sculpting Class | Greater Waco YMCA | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

• Wine Wednesday with Stan Wilfong | Segovia Wine Bar | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

• Slap Stix Trivia Night | Torchy's Tacos | 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

• Music Bingo | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

• Open Mic Night | Last Chance Bar | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Vinyl Night | Waco Ale Co. | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Rebecca Nguyen & Trent Clifford | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 7:00 pm – 8:00 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

HEB Zoo Stampede, Bellmead Burgers & Brew Festival, and Mayborn Museum’s Teen Takeover.

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