 Dean Highland Neighborhood Association hosted their third annual Holiday Party on December 13, 2025. The Holiday Party is a wonderful opportunity for the neighbors to come together, celebrate the season, and strengthen the bonds among each other. This event is held at the corner of 28th and Proctor to honor and give thanks to the Alice's House for sharing and providing holiday hope and cheer for almost 50 years. Dean Highland Neighborhood Association was awarded a Neighborhood Engagement Grant to assist with funding the event.
 City of Waco offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25 for Christmas and on Thursday, January 1 for New Year’s Day.
Solid Waste
- On Wednesday, December 24, gray waste carts and blue recycling carts will be collected as usual. Cobbs Recycling Center will be closed. However, the landfill will remain open.
- 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. Cobbs Recycling Center and the landfill will be closed.
Utility Billing
- The MyWaco Central call center and drive-thru (425 Franklin Ave.) will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, Thursday, December 25.
- Customers may continue to pay 24/7 by phone at (254) 299-2489 or online at mywacoaccount.com
Libraries & Public Health
- All Waco-McLennan County Library locations will close at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23 and will remain closed on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25.
- Waco-McLennan County Public Health will also be closed December 24 & 25.
Closed Only on Thursday, December 25
- Cameron Park Zoo
- Waco Transit System
 From November 28 through December 30, Cameron Park 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.
Purchase our special “Zoo/Wild Lights” combo ticket and enjoy the Zoo during regular hours and the evening Wild Lights. The best part? Your tickets are valid through December 30, and you don’t have to use them on the same day.
 Tis the season for... cleaning up? The City of Waco Solid Waste team is here to help you clear out the holiday clutter the right way!
- 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.
 Call (254) 750-1620 to schedule a free ride to and from your New Year's Eve destination! The reservation line is now open.
Help keep the streets safe for everyone this New Year's Eve and let Waco Transit System be your designated driver! Free rides are available from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Must be within the Waco urbanized area.)
 Starting January 1, 2026, the City of Waco will implement an annual adjustment to utility rates for all customers. For the average residential customer, this change will result in an increase of less than $6.00 per month on their City of Waco utility bill.
Waco City Council approved these adjustments in September as part of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget and are necessary to maintain high-quality, reliable utility services for the community.
 The Waco-McLennan County Library will implement updated operating hours across all locations beginning Jan. 2, 2026. These adjustments streamline evening schedules and support consistent staffing and services systemwide.
The primary change is a shift from a 9 p.m. closing time to 8 p.m. on select weekdays at multiple branches. The Genealogy Center will also introduce a new Tuesday closure as part of its service update.
Updated hours will be posted at each location and on the Waco Library website.
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