Waco, Texas Civic Calendar — 2026

Federal holidays, state holidays, school year, election dates, and local civic events tracked by The Waco.

Jan 1, 2026
New Year's Day
PublicHoliday
Jan 19, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
PublicHoliday
Feb 16, 2026
Presidents' Day
PublicHoliday
Mar 2, 2026
Texas Independence Day

Commemorates the 1836 Texas Declaration of Independence. Observed statewide.

PublicHoliday
Mar 8, 2026
Daylight Saving Time begins
Event
Apr 11, 2026
Texas Food Truck Showdown

An annual spring food festival where roughly 40 food trucks from across Texas compete for the title of Showdown Champion, with live entertainment, kids' activities and a beer & wine garden. Held at Heritage Square, Downtown Waco.

Festival
Apr 15, 2026
Tax Day (federal income tax filing deadline)

Federal income tax returns due. Extensions filable via Form 4868.

Event
Apr 21, 2026
San Jacinto Day

Marks the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto that secured Texas independence. A Texas state holiday.

PublicHoliday
May 4, 2026
Brazos Nights

A free outdoor live-music concert series that has drawn crowds to the Brazos River for more than 30 years, typically kicking off in spring with a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. Held at Indian Spring Park, Downtown Waco.

Festival
May 25, 2026
Memorial Day
PublicHoliday
Jun 1, 2026 — Nov 30, 2026
Hurricane Season

Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30. Local emergency-management offices issue regular updates during active storms.

Event
Jun 19, 2026
Juneteenth
PublicHoliday
Jul 4, 2026
Independence Day
PublicHoliday
Aug 17, 2026
Texas public schools start

Most Texas school districts begin the academic year in mid-to-late August.

Event
Sep 7, 2026
Labor Day
PublicHoliday
Sep 25, 2026
Waco Cultural Arts Fest

A free multi-day festival held the last weekend of September celebrating multicultural arts through music, performances, food and hands-on arts activities, drawing dozens of artists and hundreds of performers. Held at Indian Spring Park, Downtown Waco.

Festival
Oct 4, 2026
Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo

A roughly 10-day October fair and rodeo featuring nightly rodeo competition, livestock shows, a carnival midway, live music and fair food, drawing over 250,000 attendees annually. Held at Extraco Events Center, 4601 Bosque Blvd.

Festival
Oct 12, 2026
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day
PublicHoliday
Nov 1, 2026
Daylight Saving Time ends
Event
Nov 3, 2026
Election Day

General election day in even-numbered years.

Event
Nov 11, 2026
Veterans Day
PublicHoliday
Nov 26, 2026
Thanksgiving Day
PublicHoliday
Dec 4, 2026
Christmas at the Silos

Magnolia's annual holiday experience at the Silos with festive decorations, photos with Santa, ornament-making workshops and seasonal shopping, running through the Christmas season. Held at Magnolia Market at the Silos, 601 Webster Ave.

Event
Dec 25, 2026
Christmas Day
PublicHoliday

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About this calendar

This calendar combines federal holidays, state-specific observances for Texas, civic recurring events (Tax Day, Election Day, DST), and seasonal events that affect Waco, Texas residents. It is updated annually as official dates are confirmed.

The Waco · part of Nexcom Media Network · calendar · contributors · this week

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