Waco Convention Center & Extraco Events Center: Your Guide to Waco's Top Event Venues
If you've ever tried to find an event in Waco and ended up at the wrong building, you're not alone. The Waco Convention Center and the Extraco Events Center are two completely different venues — but students, families, and even Waco residents mix them up constantly. One is a downtown conference facility. The other is a 10,000-seat arena hosting concerts, rodeos, and Waco's biggest annual fair. Here's everything you need to know about both.
The Waco Convention Center: Downtown Meetings and Family Weekend Parents
The Waco Convention Center is at 100 Washington Ave, right in the heart of downtown Waco along the Brazos River. It's a convention and conference facility — think corporate meetings, trade shows, weddings, and graduation banquets. It is not a concert arena.
If you're a Baylor student, the Convention Center is most relevant during Baylor Family Weekend and Homecoming, when parents and alumni flood downtown Waco for receptions and events. The adjacent Hilton Waco Convention Center hotel (connected to the building) is one of the best options for parents flying in — though it sells out early during busy Baylor weekends. If your parents are visiting for Family Weekend, tell them to book the Hilton months in advance.
The Convention Center is about 1.5 miles from 19Eleven, reachable by a short drive down University Parks Drive toward the river. It's also within walking distance of the Suspension Bridge, Indian Spring Park, and the Waco Riverwalk — all worth seeing if you're showing visiting family around downtown.
Waco Convention Center quick facts:
- Address: 100 Washington Ave, Waco TX 76701
- Phone: (254) 750-5810
- General office hours: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm
- Use: Conferences, conventions, weddings, corporate events
- Nearby: Hilton Waco hotel, Brazos River, Suspension Bridge, downtown restaurants
Extraco Events Center: Waco's Arena for Concerts, Rodeos & Fairs
This is the venue Baylor students actually visit for entertainment. The Extraco Events Center is a 10,000+ seat arena at 4601 Bosque Blvd — about 3.5 miles from 19Eleven and about 15 minutes by car. It hosts major concerts, the Heart o'Texas Fair & Rodeo, expos, and sporting events.
Think of it as Waco's version of an amphitheater or mid-sized arena. Country artists, touring acts, and regional performers play here regularly. If you see a Waco concert or event listed on Ticketmaster or AXS, it's almost certainly at Extraco — not the Convention Center.
Extraco Events Center quick facts:
- Address: 4601 Bosque Blvd, Waco TX 76710
- Phone: (254) 776-1660
- Box office hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm; event evenings as needed
- Capacity: 10,000+ seats
- Tickets: Ticketmaster, venue box office
Parking is available in large surface lots surrounding the arena. For smaller events, parking is free or minimal. For the biggest events — especially the Heart o'Texas Fair — arrive early because lots fill up well before peak afternoon hours on weekends.
Fall 2026 Events at Extraco Events Center
Two big events are coming up this fall that Baylor students should know about:
Brick Convention | LEGO Fan Expo — August 29–30, 2026 A community showcase for LEGO enthusiasts. Family-friendly, with massive displays from collectors and builders. Tickets run approximately $20–30/day via Eventbrite. Good group outing early in the semester.
Heart o'Texas Fair & Rodeo — October 8–18, 2026 This is Waco's biggest annual event. Carnival rides, livestock shows, nightly live music, a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo, and food booths covering every corner of the Extraco grounds. General admission tickets are $10–15 at the gate or via Ticketmaster. It runs for eleven days — plenty of time to find a night that works with your schedule. A group of friends from 19Eleven can easily make this a semester tradition. Plan ahead: weekend evenings fill up fast, and parking at Extraco goes quickly after about noon on busy days.
Getting There from Baylor and 19Eleven
Living at 19Eleven on S 8th Street puts you in a good spot for both venues:
- Waco Convention Center: Head north on S 8th St toward downtown, or take University Parks Drive along the river. About 1.5 miles, 5–8 minutes by car.
- Extraco Events Center: Head west toward Bosque Blvd. About 3.5 miles, 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. Driving is the best option — rideshare from campus runs about $8–12 each way.
Neither venue is within reasonable walking distance from campus, but both are close enough that a rideshare or a car is all you need. Most students make a night of it — grabbing dinner in the nearby area before a show at Extraco or meeting family downtown before a Convention Center event.
What Else Is Near the Convention Center
While you're downtown, the Convention Center area puts you near several of Waco's best spots. The Brazos Riverwalk, the historic Waco Suspension Bridge, and Indian Spring Park are all within a short walk. Union Hall's food hall is about 1.5 miles away. If you have visiting family in town and want to give them a full downtown Waco afternoon before a Convention Center event, it's a natural loop.
Check the neighborhood guide for a full breakdown of what's walkable from 19Eleven's location on S 8th Street.
Plan Your Semester Around Waco Events
The Heart o'Texas Fair runs the second week of October — right in the middle of fall semester when midterms are winding down. It's the kind of event where you block off a Friday or Saturday evening with your roommates and make it an actual outing rather than another study night. The fair's combination of rodeo, live music, and carnival rides makes it genuinely worth the $10–15 ticket.
For concert announcements and upcoming shows at Extraco, check the venue's website or Ticketmaster directly. Sign up for Extraco's email list if you want early notice — some shows sell out fast, and student pricing occasionally applies for select events.
Ready to Live Close to Everything Waco Offers?
From the Heart o'Texas Fair at Extraco to Family Weekend events downtown, living at 19Eleven puts you within a short drive of everything on Waco's event calendar. With an indoor pool, sports court, study rooms, and a location 0.5 miles from Baylor's campus, 19Eleven makes it easy to actually enjoy your time in Waco — not just get through it.
Schedule a tour to see the floor plans and amenities in person, or browse available units to find what fits your group.
