Our family moved to Waco from a big city in Colorado a little over a year ago, so we only had a few months to research the area and find fun holiday things to do.  I wanted to make Christmas memories just like we did in Denver.  It was easy in a cold climate!  I mean, we had snow, cold weather, puffer coats and snow boots.  After moving to the warm state of Texas, I knew finding holiday fun would take some digging, but I knew I would find some gems here.  Honestly, I expected to find very little.  I expected to be disappointed.  Waco, I was pleasantly surprised!!!!  Now that we are about to celebrate our 2nd Christmas in Waco, I want to share some of the events we loved last year along with several others that I have found along the way.  Waco has a lot to offer when it comes to holiday & Christmas fun.  Whether you are a young couple, an empty nester or a family of 3 or a family of 6. . . . .Waco has something for everyone.  

**Events that cater to those with special needs have a star beside them and sell out quickly.

::WACO HOLIDAY EVENTS 2018::

NOVEMBER 2018

Storytime with Santa (Junior League of Waco)
November 3rd @ 5:30pm
Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington Ave, Waco, TX
Cost: $25
The Junior League of Waco hosts several events each year.  Most of them are sold out already and are not posted here, but Storytime with Santa was still available when this blog was written.

Mother-Daughter Tea
November 4th @ 12:30-2pm
Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington Ave, Waco, TX
Cost: $30
Sandwiches, sweet treats & tea for mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and friends!

Sip N Shop
November 8th @ 4-7pm
The Pavilion at the Carleen Bright Arboretum, 
Cost:  free admission, donations to CASA accepted
Networking, refreshments, beverages, door prizes and shopping!

**The Grinch Sensory Movie (SOLD OUT)
November 17 @10am
Hollywood Jewel Theater, 7200 Woodway Dr
A movie for children & adults with special needs.  This event is now sold out, but I wanted to post it for awareness of events like this next year.

Humongous Holiday Bazaar
November 23-25
Lion’s Den-Rentals, 1716 N 42nd St, Waco, TX
Cost not advertised
Activities for kids and grownup “kids” as well as shopping for gifts created by local artisans.

Christmas at the Mayborn
November 29 @4:30-7:30pm
Mayborn Museum Complex, 1300 S University Parks Dr., Waco, TX
Cost: Free for members, adults $8, children $6
Enjoy hands-on activities, a visit from Santa, model train display, choir performances, STEM challenges and more!

A Baylor Christmas
November 29 & 30 @7:30pm, December 2 @ 3pm
Jones Concert Hall
Cost: not published when this was written.  Tickets go on sale November 1
Choirs will perform a concert of repertoire celebrating the Christmas season.

Waco Wonderland
November 30-December 2
300 Austin Avenue in Downtown Waco at Heritage Square
Cost: free admission, $$ for rides/food
Parade, tree lighting, holiday movies, ferris wheel, snow tubing, train rides, carriage rides, petting zoo, The Santa House, Mistletoe Market, fireworks & musical entertainment.

DECEMBER 2018

Wonderland Run 2018
December 1 @ 8am
Austin Avenue & 3rd Street
Cost: $25-$50, depending on the length of your run

Cookies with Santa +Family Mini Session
December 1 @ 9am-12pm
Waco Work
Cost: $200 per session
Christmas photos, Santa, cookies, letters to Santa and more!

Chamber Singers Christmas Concert
December 3 & 4 @ 7:30pm
Armstrong Browing Library & Museum
Cost: not published, tickets available in the lobby of the McCrary Music Building

Christmas at the Silos
December 7-8
Magnolia Silos, 601 Webster Ave, Waco, TX
Cost: Kids $5, Adults $10
Holiday-themed activities, Christmas movie, shopping and more!

**Christmas Party at the YMCA
(for families of children, teens, young adults who have autism and special needs)
December 8 @ 3pm
YMCA of Central Texas
Cost: possibly free admission, $12-15 to create a Christmas stuffed animal
Fun games, food, treats and Santa

**A Special Starry Night (SOLD OUT)
December 8 @ 6-9pm
South Waco Community Center
Cost: not published
 All members of the special needs community welcome!  This event is now sold out, but I wanted to post it for awareness of events like this next year.

The Nutcracker with Ballet Frontier of Texas
December 9 @ 2pm
Baylor Waco Hall
Cost: $40-65 per person
Enjoy beautiful sets, costumes and talented dancers as they perform the Nutcracker.

Michael Martin Murphey’s 25th Anniversary Cowboy Christmas Show
December 13 @ 7pm
Waco Hippodrome 724 Austin Ave, Waco, TX
Cost: $30-65 per person

David Phelps “It Must Be Christmas” Concert
December 13 @ 7pm
First Woodway 101 Ritchie Rd, Woodway, TX
Cost: $20-100 per person, VIP tickets available

Zoovie Nights (The Polar Express)
December 14 @5:15pm
Cameron Park Zoo 1701 N 4th St, Waco, TX
Cost: Free for zoo members, $5 for non-members
A movie under the stars at the zoo!  Concessions will be open.  No outside food/drinks are allowed.  Members only event will take place 3-5pm at the Pavilion.

Live Christmas Radio Show-It’s a Wonderful Life
December 14 & 15 @ 7:30pm
Brazos Theatre 7524 Bosque Blvd Ste Q, Waco, TX
Cost: $17.50-26.50
1940’s style radio broadcast of It’s a Wonderful Life.  Great for the whole family.  Tickets include a pre-show hors d’oeuvres buffet with complimentary mulled wine.  

New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery, Dinner & Dance
December 31 @ 6pm
Hilton Waco 113 S University Parks Dr, Waco, TX
Cost: $145
Open bar, hors d’oeuvres, 3 course meal plus an interactive murder mystery event from the Brazos Theatre.  Complimentary champagne toast!  Tickets are all inclusive.

::HOLIDAY EVENTS NEAR WACO::

McGregor Christmas Open House
November 4th @ 1pm
Main Street McGregor, TX
Cost: Free
Shopping, meet with Santa, live art demos, hot chocolate and small town fun.

Christmas in a Small Town!
December 1 @ 6-9pm
Crawford, TX
Cost: Free
Parade, tree lighting, and stroll the local shops

Polar Express
November-December
Texas State Railroad
Palestine Depot 789 Park Road 70, Palestine, TX
Cost: starting at $20 for children and $45 for adults
The Polar Express comes to life in this magical train ride.  Hot chocolate, cookies & fun all in your pajamas.  Get your tickets soon because seats sell out quickly.

Santa’s Wonderland-A Texas Christmas Experience
November-December
College Station, TX
Cost: super saver tickets $25 for adults, $20 for children available until November 8th.  After that, online prices start at $35, gate prices start at $40.
Military appreciation weekend is November 9-11.  Enjoy lights, Texas snow, snow tubing, hayrides and more!

If you have found other holiday activities that you love in the Waco area, please share below for others to enjoy!