⭐Welcome to 2026, Waco

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that feels like the morning paper on the kitchen table.

Let’s get to it!
— Sam Harper

⭐Welcome to 2026, Waco. A fresh year, a clean slate, and a city that keeps finding new ways to feel like home.

This year, I’m excited about what Waco can become and what we can help build together. More support for small businesses. Continued downtown momentum, especially along the river with the growth of the Waco Rowing Center. Streets and sidewalks getting repaired (no, not I-35, which seems committed to its forever project status). A new dog park. The opening of Garden City Grocery. And more real community built through dinner clubs, social studies nights, and gathering around the same tables.

One of the best ways a city gets better isn’t through big projects alone. It’s when people share what they’ve already figured out. The small, practical things that make daily life easier for someone else.

That’s the spirit behind what I call Waco hacks.

These are the local tips, shortcuts, and “wish I’d known that sooner” insights that help newcomers feel welcome faster and help longtime locals pass along what they know.

For example:

Click your answer below to join the conversation. If you have a hack, you can leave it in the comments after you make your selection.

I may compile these into a go-to guide for newcomers and locals alike, and the best tips may get a shoutout in next week’s edition.

Here’s to sharing what we know and making Waco even better together.

🏫 STEAM Center Announces Opening Date

The City of Waco will celebrate the opening of the Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center with a ribbon cutting on Friday, January 16 at 10 AM. The event includes a short program, building tours, refreshments, and a first look at the new space designed for hands-on STEAM learning. The space is designed to give kids hands-on access to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

The center is located at 300 N. MLK Blvd. and the event is free and open to the public.

🗳 City Council Election Season Is Approaching

Waco’s next City Council general election will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Voters will choose the mayor along with representatives for Districts 1 and 3.

If you’ve ever thought about running, the filing window opens January 14 and runs through February 13. Candidates must have lived in their district for at least six months.

Early voting begins April 20, and those elected will be sworn in this May. It’s a reminder that local leadership starts right here at home.

🐾Ranch House Pet-Med offers your pets comprehensive wellness care, advanced diagnostics, dental treatment, and surgery ranging from routine procedures to specialized orthopedic treatments. You can find them online, by phone at 254-544-1458, or at 149 Dosher Lane, Waco, 76712.

Meet Sweet Pea, a 10-month-old Terrier mix weighing about 15 pounds and ready to kick off 2026 with a fresh start. She’s still young and may grow a bit more over the next several months, but she’s already the kind of pup who fits right into daily life. Think walks, weekend lounging, and a new routine that includes a wagging tail.

If starting the new year with a four-legged sidekick sounds like your kind of resolution, Sweet Pea might be a perfect match.

👉 Meet Sweet Pea here or at Fuzzy Friends this weekend.

Welcome to Open House, the newsletter section that keeps changing where it drinks its morning coffee. Porch today. Balcony tomorrow. We give you the details. You guess the price.

This newly built 3,264 square-foot farmhouse-modern stunner was designed with entertaining, student living, and short-term rentals in mind. Highlights include:

• 3 beds, 3 baths
• Modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, soft-close drawers, and tons of storage
• Upstairs second living space for movies, studying, or guests
• Large covered back patio for hosting friends or quiet nights in

👉 Take your best guess of the list price, then peek at the photos and answer here.

🎈Friday, January 2:

1st Friday Kick Off with The Union Revival @ Magnolia Press - 12 PM - Worth noting that there are exclusive dining and shopping deals all day as part of 1st Friday. View all discounts and specials here.

Alaina and the Limited Edition Band @ Anthem Stories - 5 PM

Open Mic Show @ The Performing Arts Community Center - 7 PM

FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC
Gordon Pyle @ The BLVD Steakhouse - 6:30 PM (Piano / Easy‑Listening)
Darrell Ray @ Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon - 8 PM
The Ballou’s Cats @ BIG’s Mayberry Tavern

🎈 Saturday, January 3:
Resolution Run 50K, 25K, 10M, 8K, + 10M Ruck @ Cameron Park - 7 AM Register

Chipping of the Green @ Cobbs Recycling Center - 8 AM

Yoga Flow @ Milo - 9 AM

Rooftop Yoga for Wildlife @ Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits - 9 AM

Downtown Farmers Market @ Bridge Street Plaza - 9 AM

Holiday Reunion @ The Performing Arts Community Center - 7 PM

Improve Comedy @ Brazos Theatre - 7:30 PM

SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC
Gordon Pyle @ BLVD Steakhouse - 6:30 PM
Darrell Ray @ Camp Fimfo - 7 PM
Sloppy Joe Trio with Lauren January @ The Will - 8 PM

🎈Sunday, January 4:

Yoga & Mimosas @ Element Hotel - 9:30 AM

Homegrown Market @ The Will - 11 AM

Open Mic Night @ Cricket’s Grill & Draft House - 5 PM

Acoustic Open Mic Night @ Lakeside Bar - 6 PM

💛 Rooted and Ready: A New-Year Vision Board Party for Emotional Wellness – Jan 12, 5 PM to 8 PM
A calm, creative, adults-only evening at Fuzz Lab Waco focused on emotional wellness, intention-setting, and community. Hosted by Hope Again Counseling and Fuzz Lab, with a guided vision board experience, supplies included, light refreshments, and open studio time. Free to attend. Learn more and reserve a spot.

🎪 Waco Wellness Festival – Jan 17, 10 AM to 1 PM
Move, stretch, breathe, and explore all things health and wellness at this community-focused festival. Expect workshops, local vendors, fitness demos, and plenty of ways to reset for the new year. Details and tickets here.

💖 Night to Shine 2026 – Feb 13
A prom night like no other for people with special needs, hosted by Crestview Church. Expect big smiles, dancing, and an unforgettable celebration centered on dignity and joy. Learn more and register here.

✨ Skin & Body Refinery delivers top tier injectors, advanced treatments, and natural looking results that help you look and feel your best.

💧 Need a boost? IViT Hydration & Wellness offers IV therapy and wellness treatments to help you feel better, recover faster, and boost energy. Waco Buzz readers get $35 off by clicking the link.

💪Move better. Recover Faster. Live Stronger. Waco Bodymend is a world class space built for everyday movers, athletes, and anyone who wants to feel their best. From red light therapy and PEMF to alterG anti gravity treadmill sessions & home to CrushCycle Waco, we combine science backed recovery with your training that fits your life. Click the link to the get the exclusive offer for Waco Buzz readers.

Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something useful, please share it with your closest friend from high school that still lives in Waco.

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

1. Promote your business to 23,000 highly engaged Waco locals across our channels. Click the link to get the conversation started.

2. Dinner Club: Meet dozens of other locals (recent movers and lifelong Wacoans) over dinner on January 27. 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.