🥐 Don’t miss Waco’s new bakery

Good Morning Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that’s cozier than wrapping yourself in a blanket right after coming in from the cold.

Let’s get to it!

— Sam Harper

Your Plan. Your Way. Your Breakthrough Starts Here.
Thinking about college but not sure where to start? At McLennan Community College, we make it easy to achieve your college or career goals—without the burden of debt. With 140+ degrees and certificates, personalized guidance, and financial aid support, MCC helps you turn dreams into reality.

A Degree Without Debt. Your Dreams Start Here. Discover the possibilities in Waco at MCC.

Just like that, it’s December. The month of advent traditions, twinkle lights, and trying to remember which holiday event you promised your family you’d go to. If you’re like me, you love driving around town to see the best light displays, and Waco has no shortage of them. Here’s a great resource to plan your own Christmas lights tour: wacochristmaslights.com.

One quick note for longtime locals. The beloved Schmidt House off Highway 84 sold its full display of lights and inflatables to Karem Shriners at 400 Karem Circle near Speegleville and China Spring. And honestly, that gives you the perfect excuse to grab brisket at Helberg BBQ on the way.

Throughout December, we’re highlighting one local nonprofit or way to give back each edition. Since today is Giving Tuesday, Waco Moms put together a fantastic roundup of places to get involved, support, or donate to throughout Waco. Check it out here.

Today’s spotlight is Isaiah 117 House McLennan County, a nonprofit providing a safe, loving home for children entering foster care. They meet kids on day one with comfort, dignity, and essentials for a hopeful start, while also supporting the foster families receiving them. You can learn more here.

Two easy getaways popped this week and both leave straight from Waco Regional (still just 5 dollars per day to park).

☀️ Waco → Miami — 222 dollars round-trip
If palm trees, beaches, and mojitos sound better than raking leaves, this fare is your sign.

⛰️ Waco → Denver — 230 dollars round-trip
Swap humidity for mountain air. Denver is sitting at 230 dollars RT, a solid price for ski season kickoff or a quick brewery weekend.

See full flight deals ›

🎁 24 Days of Giveaways
We’re officially in giveaway season. Every morning at 8 AM from now until Christmas, we’re dropping a brand new prize on Instagram as part of our 24 Days of Giveaways. We’ve teamed up with some of Waco’s favorite restaurants, shops, and local makers to spread a little joy and spotlight the businesses that make this city feel like home.

Expect everything from gift cards and local experiences to big ticket surprises sprinkled throughout the month. If you want a real shot at winning something fun this December, make sure you’re following along on IG when each one goes live.

🍽 Waco Buzz Dinner Club — Thursday, December 11
Holiday season is here, which means calendars get messy and meeting new people gets harder. Dinner Club fixes that. It is the easiest, least awkward way to meet other adults in town over a great meal at a Waco restaurant you will probably end up recommending later.

Take a quick personality quiz and we will match you with five other locals who share your vibe. We handle the reservations, reminders, and logistics so you can just show up, enjoy dinner, and swap stories with new friends. When dinner wraps, every table meets up at a surprise after spot to keep the night going.

The last Dinner Club of the year is next Thursday, December 11. It is the perfect excuse to step out, meet neighbors, and end 2025 with a night that feels good.

Book your seat →

🥐 A French bakery lands on Austin Ave
Big news for downtown carbs. Un Je Ne Sais Quoi is taking over the former Neighborhood Bakery spot next to Dichotomy and plans to open mid January. Expect French pastries, fresh bread, and the kind of treats that make “I’m just grabbing a coffee” turn into a whole situation.

💛 Sascee’s closes its doors after 11 years
A tough one. Sascee’s Southern Eatery (719 S. 11th St) served its final plates this weekend as they shift fully into catering. Their goodbye note was heartfelt — a decade of family, community, and unforgettable comfort food. One more reminder that local spots matter and memories live beyond the storefront.

🌞 254TAN opening soon by Cinemark
If winter has you looking a little pale, 254TAN is opening soon next to the Cinemark at 2408 Creekview Dr. They’ll offer UV tanning, spray tanning, and custom color services for anyone looking to glow a little brighter.

👔 Suit City moves to La Salle
After years downtown, Suit City is packing up and reopening this Friday at 926 La Salle. Same sharp menswear, new address.

^{Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just the things you need to know around town.}

⚖️ City Council Meeting
On the agenda for Tuesday’s Waco City Council meeting:

🅿️ Airport paid parking update
🏘️ Strategic Housing Plan progress
🏟️ Events preview for Foster Pavilion and McLane Stadium
💸 Tax abatement policy renewals
🗺️ Two major annexations that add nearly 780 acres to Waco limits

Location: Waco Convention Center, Bosque Theatre
Time: 3 PM Work Session | 6 PM Business Session
View full agenda ›

Also this week: Texas rolls out a batch of new laws on Thursday, including a major shift in schools as the STAAR test is replaced with three shorter assessments spaced through the year. Other changes touch everything from quorum breaking penalties to protections for trafficking survivors, updated bathroom rules for public buildings, and over the counter access to Ivermectin. Read more.

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Looking Ahead

🎄 Waco Wonderland — All Weekend
Downtown’s biggest holiday festival returns with snow tubing, Santa, carnival rides, food trucks, and the full winter village experience. The Christmas tree will be lit at 7 PM on Friday. More at wacowonderland.com

😂 Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some) — Dec 4–7 and 11–14
A fast moving, musical comedy at Waco Civic Theatre that mashes every Christmas classic into one hilarious show. Tickets at wacocivictheatre.com

👩‍💼 Women of Waco Level Up 2026 Conference — Jan 30
A full day women’s business conference at the AC Hotel featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, networking, swag, a coffee bar, lunch, and a sponsored happy hour. More info.

🏈Football
Baylor closed the season with a 31–24 loss to Houston, ending year one of the fully funded NIL era and starting the offseason conversation everyone will be asking. How much investment will Baylor and its boosters put toward rebuilding this roster for 2025. In case you were wondering, the 2026 opener is already locked in with Baylor facing Auburn on September 5 in Atlanta.

🏀 Women’s Basketball (7–1, No. 14)
The Bears keep climbing with a strong start and national ranking. Two home games this week at Foster Pavilion, first against Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday at 7 PM, then UTSA on Sunday at 2 PM.

🏀 Men’s Basketball
A home tipoff comes Tuesday at 7 PM against Sacramento State before a road showdown at Memphis on Saturday at 3:30 PM.

🏐 Volleyball
Baylor is dancing for the tenth straight year, earning another NCAA Tournament berth. They open postseason play Thursday at 3:30 PM against Arkansas State, with the winner moving on to face Purdue or Wright State on Friday at 5 PM.

🎓Your Plan. Your Way. Your Breakthrough Starts Here.
Discover 140+ degrees and certificates at McLennan Community College—without the burden of debt. Whether you’re starting college or changing careers, MCC makes it simple with guidance, financial aid, and support every step of the way. Your future starts now in Waco at MCC.

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Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something informative, please share it with someone who caught the Thanksgiving sniffles over the long weekend.
Better luck next year.

Whenever you’re ready, here are three ways to get more involved:

1. Promote your business to 22,000 highly engaged Waco locals across our channels: Showcase your brand or business where thousands of local customers are actively spending their time.

2. Dinner Club: Meet dozens of other locals (recent movers and life long Wacoans) over dinner which happens once a month. You’ll make new friends regardless of stage of life and help make Waco a smaller town.

3. Waco Buzz Job Board: The best place to find open roles at growing companies in Waco with opportunities in media, marketing, sales, communication, tech, and engineering.