🐝 What's Happening in Waco This Weekend? (4/11-4/13)

Good morning, Waco! This is the Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that’s like a backyard BBQ—everyone’s invited and there’s always something good.

• Weekend Weather: It's officially shorts weather and porch drink season.

• Glow at the Light Up the Dark 5K Saturday Night! 👟👟

• Weekend Events, Live Music, and 50+ Reasons to Get Out🎉

• Where Are We? 📸

• Open House: 126 Sonoma Ridge, China Spring 🏠

Let’s dive in!

Buzzworthy News

Art on Elm Moves to Bridge Street

Many annual local favorites are happening this weekend. Art on Elm, Waco’s celebration of visual and performing arts, is teaming up with the Waco Downtown Farmers Market for a one-day event at Bridge Street Plaza. The festival will be a bit smaller this year—featuring 10 local artists—but still packed with creativity. You’ll find everything from oil paintings to photography, along with hands-on art activities for kids and a sensory tent designed for children who benefit from a quieter environment. It’s all happening Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and admission is free. Join the creativity! Swing by Art on Elm this Saturday and tag @Waco.Buzz with your favorite art find.

Trash Dash & Bash Needs Volunteers

Just across the Suspension Bridge from Bridge Street Plaza, Keep Waco Beautiful is hosting its second annual Trash Dash & Bash—a river cleanup turned party on the Brazos. Teams will be out collecting trash by kayak or on foot, competing for prizes like most waste collected and best costume. While team registration is closed, volunteers are still needed to help make the morning a success. You can assist with supply pickup, weigh-in stations, and general event support. After the cleanup, everyone’s invited to the Bash featuring free Helberg BBQ sandwiches, Balcones Beer, and prize announcements.

Volunteer shift: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, April 12
Location: Waco Paddle Company dock
Volunteer sign-up: Be a river hero! Sign up to volunteer right here for Trash Dash & Bash and enjoy free BBQ after.

Unbound Now’s Light Up the Dark 5K is Back on Saturday Night

Light Up the Dark 5K presented by Chick-fil-A. This annual, family-friendly run raises money and awareness for Unbound Now’s fight against human trafficking—right here in Waco and around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a stroller-pushing walker, this “glow-in-the-dark” event is for everyone. You can race in person at 8 p.m. or join virtually from anywhere.

Grab your spot in the Light Up the Dark 5K now—Register here and light up the night for a powerful cause.
Lesson from last year: Kids love the glow gear, and the fun-run atmosphere makes it a perfect event for families.

Earlier in the day, Cameron Park will be buzzing with the Toughest ‘N Texas Trail Runs, where some runners will tackle distances up to 50K through Waco’s toughest terrain. This weekend is the perfect time to get outside, meet your neighbors, and soak up the beauty of spring in Waco.

If you're heading to any of these events, snap a pic and tag @Waco.Buzz to show off your weekend fun. You may see your picture in next week’s newsletter!
^{_{*Neither of these spotlights were sponsored. Just great people doing great work in Waco. If it was sponsored, we would tell you!}}

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Where are we? 📸 

WEEKEND EVENT RUNDOWN
Weekend plans? We’ve got the lineup to get you off the couch—whether you’re flying solo, grabbing a date, or wrangling the kids.

Friday
Baylor Lifelong Learning Coffee: Mark Twain 9:30 PM | Mayborn Museum Complex
Live Music & Trivia 10:00 AM | Magnolia Market at the Silos
Fossil Friday 10:30 AM | Mayborn Museum Complex
Healthy Aging Classes 10:30 AM | McGregor Senior Center
2025 Browning Day 3:00 PM | Armstrong Browning Library
101 Dalmatians 7:00 PM | Waco Civic Theatre
Eric & Thomas Unplugged 7:00 PM | Segovia Wine Bar
Brazos Brothers 7:00 PM | Camp Fimfo
Friday Night Magic 7:00 PM | Nexus Waco
Country Throwdown: A Night of ’70s, ’80s & ’90s Hits with DJ JoJo 7:00 PM | The Will
Lake Waco Wetlands Night Hikes 7:00 PM | Lake Waco Wetlands
Brian Brown 7:30 PM | Lounge ’93
Waco Movie Club: Unbroken 7:30 PM | Texas Music Cafe
Ride the Cyclone 7:30 PM | PACC Waco
Dance Competition 8:00 PM | Melody Ranch
Steve Dansby 8:00 PM | Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar
Randy Rogers Band with Dylan Wheeler 8:30 PM | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill

Saturday
Toughest N’ Texas Trail Runs 7:00 AM | Cameron Park
Park Clean Up 8:00 AM | The Mouth Of The Bosque
Waco Walks: Women of Oakwood 9:00 AM | Oakwood Cemetery
0.5K for Pre-K 9:00 AM | Indian Spring Park | Register here
Art on Elm 9:00 AM | Bridge Street Plaza
Waco Downtown Farmers Market 9:00 AM | Waco Downtown
Easter Egg Hunt 10:00 AM | South Waco Community Center
Play & Create 10:00 AM | Art Center Waco
Floating Mercado 10:00 AM | Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute
Alice in Wonderland Tea Party 10:30 AM | East Terrace House
BIPOC Spring Market 11:00 AM | Cha Community
Easter Egg Hunt 11:00 AM | Dewey Community Center
Pickleball Community Swap Shop & Demo 11:00 AM | Waco Regional Tennis & Fitness Center
Terry “TRo” Roller & Johnnie Bradshaw 1:00 PM | For Keeps Coffee
Boots & Blooms Paint Event: Cocktails & Canvas 2:00 PM | The Will
Disney’s 101 Dalmatians (matinee) 2:00 PM | Waco Civic Theatre | Tickets here
Light Up the Dark 5K 5:30 PM | Cameron Park Zoo | Register here
Teen Takeover: Year of Quantum 6:00 PM | Mayborn Museum Complex | Register here
Live Jazz Saturday with Greg Bashara & Evan Klaras 7:00 PM | Segovia Wine Bar
It’s a SMALL, SMALL WORLD! Improv Comedy 7:00 PM | Champions Barber & Beauty Academy | Tickets here
Kent Klaras 7:00 PM | Camp Fimfo
Marcelo Boccato Quartet with Jimmy Greene & Heavenly Voices 7:00 PM | Glennis McCrary Music Building
Tea Aguilar & Zach Hill 7:00 PM | Waco Ale Co.
Dr Pepper Paranormal Experience 7:00 PM | Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute | Tickets here
Fred Smith 7:30 PM | Marie’s Wine Bar
Eric & Thomas Unplugged 7:30 PM | Lounge ’93
Full Moon Paddle Night 8:00 PM | Brazos Park East
Chris Colunga 8:30 PM | BIG’s Mayberry Tavern
Ronnie & The Redwoods 8:30 PM | Backyard Bar Stage & Grill | Tickets here

Sunday
Sip + Shop 11:00 AM | Ramble & Company
Skellington Market 12:00 PM | Skellington Curiosities
Homegrown Sunday & Outdoor Market 12:00 PM | The Will
New Horizons Band 1:00 PM | Ball Performing Arts Center
Describe the Night (matinee) 2:00 PM | Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center | Tickets here
Mystery Book Club: The Thin Man 2:30 PM | South Waco Library
Miracles for the McFarlands 3:00 PM | Lee Lockwood Library and Museum

OPEN HOUSE🏡✨

Can you guess the price of this China Spring beauty listed by Amanda Cunningham with Coldwell Banker Apex?
🍷 Hidden Dream Pantry – With a sink and wine fridge.
🌞 Shaded Patio Vibes – Custom electric shades for private outdoor living.
🛁 Ensuite for Everyone – Each bedroom has its own bathroom!

How much is this house listed for? Take your best guess before scrolling to the bottom of today’s newsletter!

Jobs

Manufacturing Technician – Graphic Packaging International
Great pay, real growth. GPI needs Manufacturing Technicians in Waco to run equipment for packaging. Full-time, $26-$42/hour, $2,500 sign-on bonus. Mechanically inclined? Kickstart your career!. Apply here.

Assistant Director of Parent Programs – Baylor University
Baylor seeks a relationship-builder to boost parent engagement through workshops and events. Full-time with benefits, travel, and hybrid work options. Love connecting people? Apply here.

THANKS!

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Enjoy your weekend, Waco!