 Waco’s 2024 holiday season was filled with festive cheer from Waco Wonderland, the Fire, Police, and Solid Waste holiday vehicles, Wild Lights at Cameron Park Zoo, and so much more! Thank you to our incredible City of Waco staff and partners who made each of these events and activities a success. We’re incredibly grateful to all our residents and visitors who made this holiday season special. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
Offices Closed
As a friendly reminder, City offices will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 24, Wednesday, Dec. 25, and Wednesday, Dec. 25 to allow our hardworking staff to celebrate the holidays with their loved ones.
Rescheduled Trash Collection Routes
- Tuesday, Dec. 24: Gray waste carts and blue recycling carts will be collected as usual.
- Wednesday, Dec. 25: Gray waste carts and blue recycling carts will be collected later the following day on Thursday, Dec. 26.
- Wednesday, Jan. 1: Gray waste carts and green yard waste carts will be collected later the following day on Thursday, Jan. 2.
 2024 was a remarkable year for the City of Waco. As we celebrated our 175th anniversary, we witnessed a City that is thriving and poised for even greater success.
We've been busy this year! We welcomed 22 adorable South African penguins to Cameron Park Zoo, experienced the awe-inspiring Eclipse Over Texas, unveiled a new flag, continued riverfront development, and so much more!
As we look ahead to the new year, let's carry the momentum forward and embrace the exciting future that lies ahead. Here's to a bright new year filled with continued growth, prosperity, and unforgettable moments.
 Getting ready to celebrate the New Year? Friendly reminder that fireworks are illegal in our city limits. They affect more departments than you may realize. Fireworks scare pets, resulting in more stray animals, and officers from Animal Services, Waco Fire, and Waco Police spend valuable time responding to noise complaints and injuries. Please be safe this holiday season!
 Effective Jan. 1, 2025, water and wastewater rates will increase. These increases were included in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget that City Council adopted in August.
- The average residential customer will see an increase of $4.77 for water and wastewater rates.
- The average small commercial account with a 1-inch meter will see an increase of $7.20.
A complete list of the 2025 water and wastewater rates can be found at wacowater.com.
 Grab a copy of the 2025 Lake Waco Wetlands Calendar! Each month showcases stunning photographs captured by talented photographers. Thank you to everyone who submitted their work, helping us celebrate the unique ecosystem of Lake Waco Wetlands. The calendars are available at Lake Waco Wetlands, all Waco-McLennan County Libraries, Waco City Hall,
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum, and the Waco Welcome Center.
 Tis the season for joy, not for overflowing landfills! City of Waco Solid Waste can help you dispose of your leftover holiday materials responsibly!
- Recycle most wrapping paper, cardboard boxes, and packaging in your blue bin, unless it has metal, wax, velvet, or glitter.
- Natural wreaths, mistletoe, holly, and other natural decorations can go in your green bin. Make sure to remove any artificial pieces.
- If you're getting rid of an artificial tree, you can schedule a curbside bulky waste pickup at waco-texas.com/solidwaste.
- Natural Christmas trees can mulched at the Chipping of the Green event or left on your curb on any green bin week.
WACO 175th ANNIVERSARY SERIES — This December, we celebrate 125 years of the Waco-McLennan County Library! It all started in the late 19th century when a group of visionary women came together to open Waco's first public library on Dec. 15, 1899. The grand opening featured a book reception where the community came together to donate books to the library. After cataloging and organizing the new collection, the first books were checked out on Jan. 22, 1900.
Since then, the library has grown and evolved with expanded services and new locations. Today, the library continues to be a vital part of our community, offering books, programs, and resources for all ages. We invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone and supporting the library's mission for the years to come.
 Stream anytime, anywhere! Now with your Waco-McLennan County Library
card, you can watch your favorite movies or tv shows at no additional cost. To sign up, all you have to do is visit wacolibrary.kanopy.com and enter your library card information. After you sign up, you can browse from a vast library of award-winning films, documentaries, kids’ shows, and more! Watch your favorite movies on most devices like your TV, computer, tablet, or phone.
 The City of Waco’s Planning Services team has been honored with the American Planning Association's Silver Urban Design Award for their innovative 25th Street Corridor Implementation Plan. This prestigious recognition underscores the City's dedication to enhancing urban spaces through thoughtful planning and sustainable design.
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