 You know Waco best, so we want to hear from you! The City of Waco is conducting the 2025 National Community Survey. Share your thoughts on life in our community, public services, community priorities, and overall quality of life. Your input will help local leaders make informed decisions and identify opportunities to improve programs, policies, and services in Waco. Responses are confidential and will be used to guide planning and community engagement efforts moving forward.
 Last weekend, we kicked off the festive season with Waco Wonderland at Heritage Square. The holiday fun included a Ferris Wheel, food trucks, mistletoe market, performances of holiday favorites, and our personal favorite the tree-lighting ceremony and fireworks show.
And that was just the first night! Waco Wonderland offered even more family-friendly activities over the weekend with the downtown parade, snow tube hill, and a live ice sculpture carving.
Waco Wonderland was the go-to destination for a joyful holiday experience. We hope you have a great holiday season, Waco!
 The doors are officially open! On Thursday, December 4, the City of Waco celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Waco Welcome Center at its new downtown location. The new Welcome Center offers a comfortable, central spot that showcases the best of Waco for both visitors and residents.
We'd love for you to drop by and check out the new space. Our knowledgeable staff are ready to welcome you! Come visit us at 323 South 6th Street, Suite 100.
 This holiday season, give the gift of Waco! From Waco-themed souvenirs and apparel, western-themed memorabilia, prehistoric treasures, and more, there’s a gift for everyone! This year's gift ideas are featured from:
 Waco loves learning, and so do we! Captain Atom spent the day exploring the Mayborn Museum soaking up all the science, history, and culture.
Follow along as Captain Atom learns, experiments, and discovers new things that get him ready for the Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center debut in January 2026.
Stay tuned and sign up for email updates from the Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center for more behind-the-scenes adventures, updates, and ways to get involved.
 Heads up, drivers! A portion of Speegleville Road will be temporarily closed to traffic from December 16, 2025, through February 20, 2026. (The schedule is dependent on weather.)
The City of Waco is closing the road to install major flood control and drainage upgrades and to update the area’s water and sewer systems. This is the first phase of a multi-year series of projects designed to improve the Speegleville area between Highway 84 and the Middle Bosque Bridge.
 
Starting this week, the Texas Department of Transportation will start work to rebuild sidewalks and pedestrian crossings along Valley Mills Drive between Waco Drive and Bagby Avenue.
The 1.9-mile project includes rebuilding all the sidewalks, installing new pedestrian crosswalk control buttons and signs, and rebuilding curb ramps at the Clay Avenue, Dutton Avenue, Speight Avenue, and Bagby Avenue intersections.
The project is expected to be complete next summer and will require closing various shoulders and sidewalks.
 Solid Waste once again transformed one of their trucks into the magical Polar Express with fun lights, sparks, and bubbles. The Polar Express will be making stops throughout town at your local library, park, and community center. Come on out and join us for some fun holiday pictures.
 Waco Fire and Police are back with Waco's holiday vehicle tradition. The public safety team decked out a fire engine and police truck with lights and merry tunes, and they’re ready to drive through your neighborhood. You may even catch a glimpse of a certain Christmas criminal in the police truck. The holiday fire engine will also be making stops after their route. Let's get festive!
 Experience the magic of the holidays at Cameron Park Zoo’s Wild Lights presented by Members Choice Credit Union!
From November 28 through December 30, the Zoo will sparkle with millions of dazzling Christmas lights, festive photo ops, and a chance to meet Santa himself. Wild Lights is open Thursday through Sunday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.), with special openings on December 22, 23, 29, and 30.
 Winter is coming, and our shelter pets need your help! Our pets at Pet Circle Regional Animal Center would greatly appreciate donations of blankets, towels, or sheets.
If you have any gently used items at home, we would be grateful to give them a second life, allowing a pet to feel comfort and warmth. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter anytime during open hours. Thank you for helping our animals stay warm this winter!
 The Waco Police Department proudly welcomed 17 new officers this week. Please give a tremendous congratulations to these men and women who have just completed the MCC Law Enforcement Academy.
For the next six months they’ll be training directly with our Waco PD Officers learning what it truly means to protect, serve, and lead with purpose in every call for help.
We are honored they chose Waco.
 This week is your last chance to support Meals on Wheels through the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum's “Big Texas Christmas Present” Drive.
Through Sunday, December 14, bring donations to the Museum (100 Texas Ranger Trail) to receive one free admission per item donated. The Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
Let’s support our local seniors and have a bit of fun at the same time!
 Did you know? Nearly half of holiday fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source. As you deck the halls this season, be fire smart.
- Inspect holiday lights each year before you put them up. Throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires.
- If you have a real Christmas tree, water it every day. A dry tree can catch on fire easily.
- Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell, and feel like real candles.
- If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders where they cannot be knocked down easily.
 Waco Parks & Recreation is celebrating another incredible year of marketing excellence, bringing home 16 awards from the 2025 TFEA/Kaliff Marketing Awards Competition & Conference!
The department earned six gold, six silver, and four bronze awards from the Texas Festivals & Events Association (TFEA) for the outstanding marketing, design, and promotion of Waco's favorite signature events, including Brazos Nights, Waco Wonderland, and Fourth on the Brazos.
Cheers to the Waco Parks & Recreation team for putting on incredible events every year!
 City of Waco offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25 for Christmas. Trash will be picked up as usual on Wednesday, December 24. Residents with a Thursday, December 25 trash pickup day will have their gray waste carts and blue recycling carts collected earlier the day before on Wednesday, December 24.
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