Find the top holiday attractions in Waco! Our guide has all the must-see festive highlights. Whether you're a Waco expert or a beginner, this guide helps you navigate the festive landscape.
One of the highlights of the season is Santa's Wonderland, where families can enjoy a dazzling display of lights and partake in various holiday-themed activities. The Waco Wonderland features unique crafts and live music, creating a charming atmosphere for all ages. And the Downtown Waco's Holiday Celebration is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a lively parade and an array of local vendors. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Waco
- Santa's Wonderland (College Station)
- Waco Wonderland
- Downtown Waco's Holiday Celebration
- Grapevine Christmas Market (Grapevine)
- Baylor University Christmas on Fifth
- Magnolia Silos Christmas
- Pearl Holiday Night Market (San Antonio)
- Cameron Park Zoo Holiday Light Show
- Sugar Land Holiday Lights (Sugar Land)
- Dr. Pepper Museum Holiday Event
See these and even more events listed below!
Waco Holiday Light Displays
Waco Wonderland
What to Expect:
Tree lighting ceremony and fireworks show.
Description:
Waco Wonderland is a free community event in downtown Waco featuring a tree lighting ceremony, fireworks show, downtown holiday parade, snow tube hill, Ferris wheel, visits with Santa, holiday entertainment, and more. The event includes a Mistletoe Market with local food and drink vendors, handmade crafts, and Christmas gifts. Visitors can also take free photos with Santa and enjoy the holiday light display.
Where: Waco | More Info: Waco Wonderland
Hewitt Park Christmas Event
What to Expect:
Annual community event with live music and festive activities.
Description:
Join Hewitt Park for a festive holiday event featuring a beautifully lit Christmas tree, local vendors, food trucks, Midway ISD Christmas carolers, and a special appearance by Santa. Toys for Tots will also be accepted.
Where: Hewitt | More Info: Hewitt Park Christmas Event
Village at the Mayborn Museum Holiday Event
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday celebration with a scavenger hunt and festive activities.
Description:
The Village at the Mayborn Museum Holiday Event features dazzling lights, storytelling, and family fun. Visitors can embark on a scavenger hunt, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy a holiday train ride through the village. The event includes a petting zoo, holiday photo-ops, and delicious local treats.
Where: Waco | More Info: Village at the Mayborn Museum Holiday Event
City of Temple 78th Annual Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Dazzling procession with over 100 illuminated entries.
Description:
The City of Temple presents the 78th Annual Christmas Parade, a cherished holiday spectacle featuring over 100 uniquely lit displays. The parade transforms downtown Temple into a radiant spectacle, showcasing a diverse tapestry of local business owners, community organizations, and spirited student groups. This time-honored tradition has woven its way into the hearts of the community, becoming a beacon of holiday cheer.
Where: Temple | More Info: City of Temple 78th Annual Christmas Parade
Santa's Wonderland
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday celebration with Texas-sized attractions.
Description:
Santa's Wonderland in College Station, Texas, features millions of dazzling lights, REAL Texas snow and ice, and a multitude of cheerful attractions. Discover delightful Shoppes and indulge in delicious grub. Enjoy activities like hayrides, snow tubing, and nightly live entertainment.
Where: College Station | More Info: Santa's Wonderland
Sugar Land Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular light displays with themed exhibits.
Description:
Sugar Land Holiday Lights features over 3 million lights, a carnival, holiday vendors, and Santa Claus at Constellation Field.
Where: Sugar Land | More Info: Sugar Land Holiday Lights
Lights at Legacy
What to Expect:
Complimentary train rides and live entertainment.
Description:
Lights at Legacy is a holiday event featuring complimentary train rides, balloon artists, toy soldier stilt walkers, little drummer boys, and live entertainment. Enjoy complimentary food and drink samples from The Shops at Legacy retailers and restaurants.
Where: Plano | More Info: Lights at Legacy
Magical Winter Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive lantern displays and live shows.
Description:
Magical Winter Lights at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds features over 60 lantern displays, including the Space Maze and Dino Land, with life-size dinosaurs. The event offers a variety of attractions, including a roller coaster and Ferris wheel, along with mouth-watering treats from vendors and food trucks.
Where: Houston | More Info: Magical Winter Lights
Waco Holiday Markets and Shopping
Magnolia Silos Christmas
What to Expect:
Twinkling lights and festive holiday activities.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Magnolia Silos with twinkling lights, festive menus, and visits with Santa. Gather your loved ones for a delightful holiday experience in Waco, Texas.
Where: Waco | More Info: Magnolia Silos Christmas
Grapevine Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Handcrafted and Texas-made items sold in an open-air market setting.
Description:
The Grapevine Christmas Market is an open-air market featuring handcrafted and Texas-made items. It takes place in the Town Square Gazebo, offering a variety of unique gifts and local products.
Where: Grapevine | More Info: Grapevine Christmas Market
Pearl Holiday Night Market
What to Expect:
Local vendors offering festive goodies and live holiday music.
Description:
The Pearl Holiday Night Market features over 60 local vendors offering festive goodies, live carols, and holiday tunes by Lacey Brinson. Santa Express Mailbox Parkito is available for children to write their wish lists.
Where: San Antonio | More Info: Pearl Holiday Night Market
Waco Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Downtown Waco's Holiday Celebration
What to Expect:
Free holiday activities with optional ride wristbands for attractions.
Description:
Downtown Waco's holiday celebration features a tree lighting ceremony, fireworks show, downtown holiday parade, snow tube hill, Ferris wheel, visits with Santa, holiday entertainment, and musical performances.
Where: Waco | More Info: Downtown Waco's Holiday Celebration
Baylor University Choirs and Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
World-class holiday music performances by Baylor University's choirs and symphony orchestra.
Description:
Baylor University Choirs and Symphony Orchestra present a series of Christmas concerts featuring a blend of traditional and modern holiday music performed by the university's finest vocalists and musicians.
Where: Waco | More Info: Baylor University Choirs and Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert
Waco Other Holiday Activities
Baylor University Christmas on Fifth
What to Expect:
Cozy holiday celebration with hot chocolate and roaring fires.
Description:
Baylor University's Christmas on Fifth Street is a festive celebration featuring sweater weather, hot chocolate, and roaring fires, creating a cozy atmosphere perfect for the holiday season.
Where: Waco | More Info: Baylor University Christmas on Fifth
Cameron Park Zoo Holiday Light Show
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Cameron Park Zoo's Holiday Light Show features vibrant lights and festive decorations illuminating the zoo's natural habitats, creating a beautiful and serene atmosphere for visitors to enjoy.
Where: Waco | More Info: Cameron Park Zoo Holiday Light Show
Dr. Pepper Museum Holiday Event
What to Expect:
Interactive soda-making experience with exclusive holiday flavors.
Description:
The Dr. Pepper Museum Holiday Event features a Taste-A-Soda experience where visitors can try 5 exclusive holiday sodas and guess their flavors. The event also includes a Make-A-Soda experience with 6 exclusive holiday syrup flavors, live music, Pushwater Liquid Lab shows, family-friendly games, and a children's reading corner.
Where: Waco | More Info: Dr. Pepper Museum Holiday Event
Stanton Studios Holiday Ornaments
What to Expect:
Hands-on glassblowing experience with personalized ornament creation.
Description:
Create your own handmade holiday ornaments at Stanton Studios using over 50 different colored frits and various designs. Participants will work alongside master glassblower Jordan Stanton to shape and color their pieces, which will then be annealed overnight before pickup the next day. The event includes a coffee and hot chocolate area, seasonal decorations, a photo booth, and souvenirs.
Where: Waco | More Info: Stanton Studios Holiday Ornaments
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Temple (33 miles)
- Belton (39 miles)
- Harker Heights (44 miles)