11 things to do in Waco this weekend (plus where to find more!)

By Rae Jefferson
Director of Marketing and Communications

This weekend in Waco is stuffed to the brim with creative events! From the annual Waco Cultural Arts Fest, to several grand openings, there’s a lot to see and do. Here’s a list of just 11 of the amazing things going on around town today through Sunday, Oct. 8.

Some listings, such as the festivals, don’t include exact times because there are a number of events happening. Please visit accompanying links for full schedules, pricing, and more details.
 
1.    First Friday – On the First Friday of every month, businesses in downtown Waco join together to offer specials, extended hours, live music and much more.

•    Friday evening, Various downtown Waco businesses
•  www.facebook.com/FirstFridayWaco

2.    Grand Opening: Cultivate 7twelve – A new gallery in Downtown Waco. Meet the artists, enjoy live music, and lift a glass to toast Waco culture.

•    Friday @ 6 p.m., 712 Austin Ave.
•    www.facebook.com/waco7twelve/ 

3.    Grand Opening: Waco Winery – Featuring a gallery of local artists, free sangria tastings and a sneak peak of their new rooftop patio.

•    Friday @ 5 p.m., 708 Austin Ave.
•    www.facebook.com/wacowinery/ 

4.    Grand Opening: Gather Waco – A party to celebrate the opening of a new home goods store. Join them for bites and bubbles to toast the opening and be the first to shop in the store.

•    Friday @6-9 p.m., 719 Washington Ave.
•    www.facebook.com/gatherwaco/ 

5.    Waco Cultural Arts Fest – Friday through Sunday, join us in shining a spotlight on the arts and our community and the art that draws us together each year! The event includes Artfest, Dancefest, Wordfest, Filmfest and Sciencefest.  

•    Filmfest: Celebration Africa – Bringing the best in thought-provoking films and innovating crafts celebrating African culture and experience. This portion of Artsfest will include “Queen of Katwe”, a film telling the story of a 10-year-old chess player in Uganda, screenings of other selected films, and special appearances by directors Dr. Dapo Adeniyi and Jud Fokwang.
            Friday-Saturday, Waco Convention Center
            www.wacoartsfest.org/2017-website-pages/film-fest

•    Wordfest: A ‘festival within a festival’  offering an exciting variety of events for written & spoken-word artists of all ages, styles, languages, genres, and levels.
            Friday-Sunday, Waco Convention Center
            www.wacoartsfest.org/2017-website-pages/wordfest

•    Dancefest: A professional modern dance festival in Central Texas brings “off the grid” modern dance where locals and semi-locals can call {254}dance-festival their new “Stomping ground.”
            Friday-Sunday, Waco Convention Center
            www.wacoartsfest.org/2017-website-pages/dancefest

•    Sciencefest: The fun and excitement of science will be brought to life through hands-on, interactive exhibits, science-themed performances and demonstrations, and family-oriented science entertainment.
            Saturday-Sunday, Waco Convention Center
            www.wacoartsfest.org/2017-website-pages/sciencefest

•    Musicfest: Series of performances from local musicians and creatives on the mainstage in Indian Spring Park, between the Waco Suspension Bridge and Franklin Avenue.
            Friday-Sunday, Indian Spring Park Amphitheater
            www.wacoartsfest.org/2017-website-pages/musicfest

6.    AprilNOctober – All women poetic showcase featuring local artists.

•    Friday @7:30-10:30 p.m., Lee Lockwood Library and Museum
•    wacoheartoftexas.com/event/aprilnoctober/ 

7.    FIESTA! – A fundraiser benefitting local Hispanic students interested in starting their Higher Education journey. The event will include $1 carnival games for kids, $12 raffle tickets, a DJ, a performance by our local Ballet Folklorico and more.

•    Saturday @ 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Bosque River Stage at MCC
•    wacoheartoftexas.com/event/fiesta/ 

8.    Dogtoberfest – benefiting the Animal Birth Control Clinic, this fun event will celebrate Oktoberfest and man’s best friend.

•    Saturday @ 12 p.m., Waco Hippodrome
•    wacohippodrometheatre.com 

9.    Grand Opening: Thomas Leath Gallery – A new gallery featuring beverages and bites.

•    Saturday @ 5-8 p.m., 2012 N. Valley Mills
•    www.facebook.com/ThomasLeathGallery

10.    First Saturday Improv Comedy Show – Comedians make up scenes on the spot based on audience suggestions. Focuses on a different theme each month.

•    Saturday @ 8:30-9:30, Brazos Theatre
•    www.brazostheatre.com/upcoming-shows.html 

11.    Texas Music Flood Relief – The Texas/Red Dirt music community began devising ways to help victims after hurricane Harvey, which birthed a string of concerts with the goal to raise as much money as possible for those in need.

•    Sunday @ 12-10 p.m., Backyard Bar, Stage & Grill
•    www.texasmusicflood.org/ 

This isn’t a comprehensive list, so be sure to check out the Waco CVB Calendar of Events to keep track of everything that’s going on today through Sunday. Search for “Waco TX” in the App Store or Google Play to download a free Waco event app to plan your weekend on-the-go!

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