🦃 Thanksgiving Week in Waco

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that shows up for Thanksgiving week like the cousin who always brings the best side.

Quick note before we dig in: this will be the only edition this week as we take the long weekend to be with family, enjoy Thanksgiving, and gear up for the full Christmas transition starting Friday morning. See you in December!

Thanksgiving in Waco, According to You
Last week I asked what Thanksgiving traditions you look forward to most, and the responses painted a pretty perfect picture of Waco in late November. Family filling the house. Football humming in the background. The Macy’s Parade on TV whether anyone’s actually watching it or not. And plenty of moments where gratitude sneaks up on you between bites of dressing.

A Conversation Starter for the Table
If you’d like to elevate this year’s meal beyond “Pass the rolls” and “Is the game still on,” here’s a family-friendly list of 20 Thanksgiving conversation questions that work for kids, cousins, and grandparents. Spark a little warmth at the table →

Before Thanksgiving turned into parade balloons and deep fried turkeys, it began as a simple moment of gratitude. The earliest celebrations were about communities pausing together after a harvest, sharing what they had, and acknowledging that the year’s blessings were worth noticing. Later, presidents from Washington to Lincoln used national Thanksgiving days to help a divided country remember what it still had in common.

That’s still the heart of it now - gathering, sharing, and taking stock of the good in front of us, even if the rolls get burned along the way.

For When Thanksgiving Prep Starts Going Sideways
Some years, everything goes exactly as planned. Other years… the turkey’s still frozen, the pie dough refuses to cooperate, you’re somehow out of butter, and you suddenly realize you never actually bought a roasting pan. If your kitchen takes a turn this week, or if you simply want a break from cooking for a small army, Waco has plenty of options.

Open on Thanksgiving Day
AC Hotel Waco, Casa Do Brasil, BLVD Steakhouse, Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, Golden Corral, Brazos Grille at the Hilton, The Brasserie at Hotel 1928, IHOP, La Madeleine, and Sascee’s.
(Full details and hours listed here by The Waco Trib ($))

Closed Thursday but offering pre-ordered Thanksgiving meals and sides
Brown House Cafe, Cafe Homestead, Cotton Patch, George’s, Helberg Barbecue, Milo All Day, The Olive Branch, and Revival Eastside Eatery. Perfect for anyone who likes cooking… just not for 12 people at once.

Whether you’re hosting, traveling, or simply trying not to burn the marshmallows on the sweet potatoes, Waco’s got plenty of ways to make Thanksgiving easy or at least easier this year.

✈️ Flight Deal of the Week
Waco to New Orleans round trip for $240. Hard to beat for a quick weekend escape while this cold front rolls in. Beignets > space heaters.
See details →

🦃 Free Thanksgiving Meal at Infamous Ink
Looking for a place to land on Thanksgiving? Infamous Ink is serving a free hot meal on Thursday at 3 PM at 1813 Speight Ave, complete with smoked turkey, ham, fixings, bounce houses, and music. Everyone’s welcome and you can bring a side if you want, but it’s not required.

🎄🎹 Get Your Piano Holiday-Ready
Waco Pianos is booking holiday piano tunings with Joshua Hammond. Check the reviews, then schedule yours at 254-218-6025 or online at wacopianos.com and get your piano singing again.

Hilltop Tavern sets its debut 🍺
The team behind Butcher’s Cellar is opening their next concept, Hilltop Tavern, on December 1. Expect a laid back tavern vibe with top notch hospitality. You’ll find it at 13701 Woodway Dr. Sneak peek here: hilltoptaverntx.com.

Wienerschnitzel 🌭🌭
Also arriving December 1. The longtime hot dog chain is opening at 305 S. Valley Mills Drive with its full lineup of classics. Yes, the famous “10 chili cheese dogs for twenty dollars” deal is on the menu. Details: wienerschnitzel.com.

Ascension Providence turns 120
Waco’s oldest hospital just marked a milestone most cities never see. Ascension Providence celebrated its 120th anniversary last week, honoring more than a century of care that began in 1905 when the Daughters of Charity opened Providence Sanitarium as the city’s first hospital.

In year one, the hospital cared for 231 patients. Today, they care for hundreds of thousands of people annually. The celebration highlighted major expansions over the decades, from Waco’s first Heart Hospital to the first Stroke Center and Interventional Neuro-Radiology Program. Their newest addition, the Salome Inpatient Rehabilitation Center, opened this year. A big moment for a healthcare institution woven into Waco’s history. Read more.

254 Craft Mall prepares for a big first weekend
Waco Drive is getting a massive new vendor marketplace. The 254 Craft Mall officially opens this weekend at 4533 W. Waco Drive, bringing dozens of local makers, small businesses, and handmade goods under one roof. Odds are high you know at least one vendor. A solid stop if you’re shopping local after Thanksgiving.

Job opening: Destination Waco
Destination Waco is hiring a part time Destination Travel and Sales Associate, and it’s a great fit for someone who loves people, stays organized without trying, and likes being in the middle of what makes Waco shine. If you’re detail minded, friendly, and excited about helping showcase Waco to visitors, this one’s worth a look. Apply here.

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🌲Waco’s Winter Wonderland returns December 5–7 at Heritage Square with tree lighting, fireworks, snow tubing, rides, Santa photos, and a full weekend of holiday magic for the whole family. Grab tickets now.

🍽️ The Waco Buzz Dinner Club — Meet new friends, share good food, and help make Waco feel a little smaller on Thursday, December 11.
Join the next dinner →

🏀 Men’s Basketball
The Bears are rolling into Las Vegas this week for the Players Era Tournament. They’ll open against St. John’s on Tuesday at 3:30 PM, then play again Wednesday with the matchup depending on the bracket. Baylor sits at 3-0 and looks sharp heading into their first neutral-site test.

🏀 Women’s Basketball
Baylor pulled out a thriller on Saturday, edging Davidson 74-72 in overtime. The Bears are now ranked No. 7 in the nation and sit at 5-1. Next up is Louisiana Tech on Wednesday at 2 PM. Grab seats here: baylorbears.evenue.net/list/WB.

🏈 Football
Baylor took a tough loss in Arizona, but they’ll aim to finish the regular season at .500 when they host Houston on Saturday at 11 AM at McLane Stadium. The Bears are 5-6, and the university confirmed Dave Aranda will return next season. Resale tickets start at $13.

⚽ Soccer
The Lady Bears saw their season end in the NCAA Tournament, falling 2-1 in overtime to Ohio State over the weekend. Amazing season team!

🏢Searching for the perfect space? Cromwell Commercial Group helps you find and acquire the right commercial property for your next big move.
🏗️Big build coming up? Arise Construction is Waco’s go-to general contractor who recently completed Uptown Cheapskate at Webster Market.
💧Heading into a busy holiday stretch? IViT Hydration & Wellness  can help you feel better, recover faster, and boost your energy with IV therapy.
💪Boost healing and energy this season with Waco Bodymend ‘s unlimited month of red light therapy.

Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something helpful, please share it with the relative who shows up with the most Tupperware on Thanksgiving.

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

1. Promote your business to 20,000 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. Last Dinner Club of the year takes place on December 11.

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.