Baylor announced Tuesday evening that comedian John Crist will perform at Waco Hall at 7 p.m. on April 19, bringing jokes and laughter to campus through a comedy show.

Downtown Waco glistened with holiday cheer this weekend as Waco Wonderland returned to Heritage Square for its 13th year, drawing large crowds of families, students and local vendors. With the ferris wheel lighting up Austin Avenue, expanded food truck options and a busy Mistletoe Market, this year’s event blended familiar traditions with new features that kept visitors circulating through the plaza.

For generations, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has been a staple of holiday traditions. From classic films to stage productions, Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from miser to redeemed man returns each December, boasting familiar lessons and a sense of warmth. This year, Baylor University added its own twist, bringing the tale to life inside the Carroll Science Hall during Christmas on Fifth with an immersive, walk-through performance that invited visitors to step directly into the story.

Carroll Science will transform into Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” for one night only—here’s what you’ll see inside.

The Extraco Events Center hosted one of Waco’s largest community gatherings Thursday as H-E-B brought its annual Feast of Sharing back to Central Texas, serving thousands of free holiday meals and offering an evening full of music, activities and volunteer support.

One of the nation’s most iconic Christmas traditions, “The Nutcracker,” will be making its way to Baylor on Dec. 14 for an annual on-campus performance, featuring the Waco Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Frontier and young local Waco performers.

Long before Waco became a city on the map, its land was home to the Wichita tribe — a history often left untold in Texas classrooms and public life.

The event benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and combines pancakes with cornhole to entertain the attendees, according to Ringgold, Ga., senior and Tri Delt president, Savannah Friant.

Baylor hosted its first TEDxBaylor event this weekend, bringing together professors, students and community members for a day focused on sharing stories and ideas that inspire change at the Hurd Welcome Center.

The sound of cheers and the thud of footballs echoed through Touchdown Alley Sunday afternoon as Baylor University students, veterans and community members gathered for Battle of the Branches, a Veterans Day celebration hosted by the Wounded Warrior Project.

Chi Omega and Alpha Tau Omega are pairing once again to bring the heat to Baylor’s campus with their Chili Cook-off and Bed Races (CCOBR). The event will kick off on Friday from 6-9 p.m., on the Quadrangle and 5th St.

The Waco Suspension Bridge glowed Thursday night as hundreds of luminaries lined its walkway — each one representing a name, a memory and a story.

The festival will run from 4-10 p.m. on Saturday at Indian Spring Park. This year’s event will debut a bright, multicolored “alebrije” theme, said Julie Cervantes, Parade Director for Dia de los Muertos and Director of Strategic Development at Creative Waco. Cervantes said she expects attendees to go all out with the theme through their costumes and parade floats this year.

Joanna Gaines’ signature design style met a childhood icon this weekend, as her new Barbie Doll and Hearth & Hand Townhouse debuted in-person for the first time at Silobration — Magnolia’s 10th annual celebration in downtown Waco.

Phi Gamma Delta’s FIJI Fright Night haunted house took place Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 22–24, on Fountain Mall. This year, FIJI paired with Zeta Tau Alpha and the Baylor Activities Council to bring the biggest scares to Baylor’s campus yet.

Held four times each semester, the event is designed to help graduate students carve out focused writing time alongside their peers. The first 20 attendees received a free drink and no RSVP was required.

Fountain Mall was lined with tents Wednesday, each bearing baskets of fresh produce. Even a live DJ was present as Baylor students and Waco locals stopped by the Free Farmers Market, open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Beyond Us Missions Conference, which ran from Monday to Wednesday, was a partnership of Mission Waco, local churches, global leaders and the Baylor community. The group was brought together for three days of connection, worship and personal reflection.

Zeta Tau Alpha put on its annual Big Man on Campus event Wednesday night at Waco Hall. Southampton, N.Y., sophomore and Pi Kappa Phi member Enzo Barranca took home the night’s winning title.

Dressed in a black suit coat and a brand-new Baylor shirt purchased at the bookstore earlier in the day, Baylor alumnus Jeff Dunham delivered a personalized homage to his time at the university in his first performance on campus in almost 40 years, Friday night at Foster Pavilion.

Sunlight glistened through the stained-glass windows and bathed the Armstrong Browning Library in color as students, faculty and benefactors filled the Treasure Room Thursday afternoon to honor those who help preserve its stories and artwork.

Alpha Chi Omega hosted their annual Block Party event on Thursday on Fountain Mall with Sigma Chi, the first time these groups have paired for this event.

While the rodeo events and live music performances won’t begin until Friday, the grounds were for attendees to enjoy food trucks, local vendors, carnival rides, a petting zoo and even mutton busting.

Historically, the Robinson Family Farm is a perhaps best known for the autumn activities it hosts, and this year is no exception. The farm south of Waco has a pumpkin patch, a plethora of food and even helicopter rides. The farm’s fall festival started today and will run until Oct. 26.

This week’s event, “Patch in the Patch,” runs from 8-11 p.m. in Barfield Drawing Room and will offer students a chance to decorate tote bags and create custom patches.

Family, food and dancing — three cornerstones of Hispanic culture — will fill Fountain Mall from 6-9 p.m. on Friday for the Hispanic Student Association’s (HSA) annual campus-wide event, Fiesta. As far as HSA president and Fort Worth senior Daniela Lopez is concerned, this is the first time in the group’s history that the event will be held during the fall semester.

With tradition, community and spectacle woven together, the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo remains one of Waco’s biggest fall attractions. Whether it’s the thrill of bull riding, the rhythm of live music or the comfort of fair food, the event continues to draw crowds — and students — year after year.

A free concert is in order ahead of the football game on Saturday against Arizona State, featuring alumni and Texas locals, the Graham St. Clair Band.

Original songs, dance routines, beat boxing and a rap about Queen Elizabeth lit up Waco Hall Friday night as students and alumni came together to celebrate creativity during Family Weekend. The show featured a range of performances that highlighted the depth of artistry across campus.

Attendees stood with arms raised in worship as Daigle sang hits throughout the night, such as “Look Up Child,” “Trust In You,” “Rescue” and her new single, “Let It Be a Hallelujah.” In between songs, she interacted with the crowd by signing a poster, shouting out a fan who brought her Super Bowl jersey and listening to the worship as she let the voices in the crowd cry out during choruses.