As 2023 approaches, things are slowing down a little in Waco. The big exception, of course, is New Year’s Eve. And just like years past, there’s something for almost everyone this Saturday night.
Want to hear some country music? Up-and-coming Texas country artist Larissa Boyd is playing at American Legion Post 121 in Elm Mott. Or, if you want to go old school, check out Johnnie Bradshaw and The Out of The Blue Band at Geneva Hall.
Like classic R&B and blues? Look no further than CaCean Ballou and The Dirty Crawfish at Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon. (And if you can’t wait, they’re also playing at Stay Classy Waco on Friday night.) Plus, we have to add, you’ll be well rewarded for driving out to McGregor to see The Ballou’s Cats too.
(Then again, if you’re on a budget, Freight Bar has your back with its no-cover Freightflation New Year’s Eve party.)
No matter what, however, you want to be safe out there getting home… so you might take advantage of The Zimmerman Law Firm’s free ride home program.
Upcoming Events
Events subject to change. Visit Waco Insider for complete event and ticket details, venue info, and newly added/updated listings.
Have an event you’d like listed? Visit our event submissions page.
Thursday, December 29
Holiday Skate Camp | Skate World Waco | 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Winter Art Camp | Art Center Waco | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Stikēē | PeeWee’s Crabcakes | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Trivia Night | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Jonna Mae's Songwriters | Texas Music Cafe | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Karaoke Night | Hoot’s Tokio Store | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Bird & Friends Cosmic Unity Improv | Brazos Theatre | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Friday, December 30
CaCean Ballou & The Dirty Crawfish | Stay Classy Waco | 8:30 am – 11:30 pm
Holiday Skate Camp | Skate World Waco | 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Lights of West Christmas Light Park | Lights of West | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Joel Wood | Fuzzy’s Taco Shop (Hewitt) | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
New Year's Movie Night: Happy New Year, Charlie Brown | Camp Fimfo | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Friday Night Dinner | Lighthouse Coffee & Wine | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Erica Banks | MOJO Event Center | 7:00 pm – 2:00 am
Rad Dragon, Black Clash & Bedtime Stories | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Dobros | Hoot’s Tokio Store | 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Johnny Joe Ramos | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Giovannie & The Hired Guns with Holly Beth | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday, December 31
Waco Downtown Farmers Market | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Free Uber, Lyft & Cab Rides | The Zimmerman Law Firm | 5:00 pm – 10:00 am
New Year's Eve Pet-Nat Release | Cultivate 7twelve | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Annual New Year's Dance | Karem Shrine | 7:00 pm – midnight
New Year's Eve Celebration | Barnett’s Whiskey House | 7:00 pm – midnight
2022 Barkin' Ball | BASE at Extraco Events Center | 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Ethan Smith | Hoot’s Tokio Store | 7:30 pm – midnight
Johnnie Bradshaw & The Out of The Blue Band | Geneva Hall | 7:30 pm – midnight
Justin Hewitt Band | Twisted Sisters Patio Bar | 8:00 pm – 1:00 am
Fenix Theory | BIG’s Mayberry Tavern | 8:00 pm – midnight
Jase Martin | Melody Ranch | 8:00 pm – 2:00 am
New Year's Eve Prohibition Style! | Southern Roots Brewing Co. | 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
New Year's Eve Sideshow | Casket and Cauldron | 8:00 pm – midnight
Decades New Year's Bash | Stay Classy Waco | 8:00 pm – midnight
The Ballou's Cats | American Legion Post 273 | 8:00 pm – midnight
CaCean Ballou & The Dirty Crawfish | Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon | 8:30 pm – 1:00 am
Joe Parker Band | Elk Hall | 8:30 pm – 12:30 am
Larissa Boyd with Zachary Burnett | American Legion Post 121 | 8:30 pm – midnight
3rd Street Chaos | Last Chance Bar | 9:00 pm – 1:00 am
Freightflation New Year's Eve Party | Freight Bar | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
Rockin' '80s New Year's Eve | Old Chicago | 9:00 pm – midnight
Karaoke | Chapter 11 | 9:00 pm – 2:00 am
New Year's Eve Bash | Sunday’s Caribbean Oasis Sports Bar & Grill | 9:30 pm – 12:59 am
New Year's Eve Lock-In Party | Nexus Esports | 10:00 pm – 8:00 am
New Year's Eve Celebration | Oak & Ivy | 10:00 pm – midnight
Sunday, January 1
New Year's Day Champagne Brunch | Barnett’s Whiskey House | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Monday, January 2
Acoustic Open Mic | Taqueria Mexicano Grill 15 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Keep Waco Loud Open Mic Night | Stay Classy Waco | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Tuesday, January 3
The Order of the Owl: These Hollow Vows | Fabled Bookshop & Cafe | 6:00 pm – 7:00 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
Towne Tuesday | The Crying Shame | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Booze Clues Trivia | Dancing Bear Pub | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wednesday, January 4
1 Million Cups Waco | Hustle Co-Working | 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Trivia Night | Bare Arms Brewing | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Live Figure Drawing | Cultivate 7twelve | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
254 Film & Music Holiday Mixer | Stay Classy Waco | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Record Forum | Texas Music Cafe | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Music Bingo | Brotherwell Brewing | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Name That Tune Music Bingo | Freight Bar | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Witty Wednesday BuzzTime Trivia | Hemingway’s Watering Hole | 8:00 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.
Coming Next Week
First Friday, Night Market on Webster, and the MidTex Farm & Ranch Show.