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Happenings

Happenings: The Roanoke Events Calendar: Week of 7/29 – 8/5

Roanoke Rambler

• 6 min read

Summer's not slowing down in the Star City: we've got theater, trivia, goth nights, a country concert under the lights, and one of the country's biggest disc golf tournaments landing right in our backyard. Here's what's worth putting on the calendar.

Marquee Picks

2026 Budweiser Summer Concert Series – Russell Dickerson — Saturday, August 1, Elmwood Park, 706 South Jefferson St, Roanoke.
Elmwood Park turns into a country concert venue this weekend as the Budweiser Summer Concert Series brings Russell Dickerson to downtown Roanoke — grab a lawn chair and get there early.

The Appalachia Open Presented by Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge ~ Powered by Prodigy — Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2, Various Locations (Mayflower Hills Park, Waid Park, Greenfield Disc Golf Course), Roanoke.
Disc golfers from around the region descend on Roanoke's three top courses for a three-day tournament — even if you've never thrown a disc, it's worth wandering by to watch the pros work.

Grandin Chillage — Friday, July 31, Historic Grandin Village, Westover Ave & Grandin Rd, Roanoke.
Grandin Village's signature street festival returns to close out July — expect the neighborhood's usual mix of local shopping, food, and easy summer-night energy.

Farm Strong Obstacle Course Race 2026 — Saturday, August 1, Waid Park, 701 Waid Park Road, Rocky Mount.
If your idea of a good Saturday involves mud, obstacles, and bragging rights, Waid Park is the place to be this weekend.

1982: A Culinary & Musical Experience — Thursday, July 30, The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Curio – A Collection by Hilton, 110 Shenandoah Ave NE, Roanoke.
Part dinner, part throwback concert — this one-night event at the Hotel Roanoke pairs a curated menu with a musical trip back to 1982.

Delta Dental Party in Elmwood — weekly Thursdays through August 20, Elmwood Park, Roanoke.

Running All Week

Wednesday, July 29

Open Mic at The Front Row — weekly on Wednesdays through December 30, The Front Row, 356 Salem Ave SW, Roanoke.
Whether you're performing or just watching, this weekly open mic is a low-key way to spend a Wednesday night downtown.

Summer Music Games of Southwest Virginia — Salem Stadium, 1002 Texas Street, Salem.
Marching bands and drumlines from across the region bring their competitive edge to Salem Stadium for a night of music and showmanship.

Wednesday Morning Track Workouts — weekly on Wednesdays through December 30, Patrick Henry High School, 2102 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke.
An early-morning group workout for the runners who'd rather hit the track with company than go it alone.

Thursday, July 30

Delta Dental Party in Elmwood — weekly on Thursdays through August 20, Elmwood Park, 706 S Jefferson St, Roanoke.
Elmwood Park's Thursday-night party series keeps rolling with live entertainment right in the heart of downtown.

Lantern Tour of the Natural Bridge — weekly on Thursdays through August 20, Natural Bridge State Park Visitor Center, 6477 South Lee Highway, Natural Bridge.
See one of Virginia's most famous natural landmarks in an entirely different light — literally — on this after-dark lantern walk.

Themed Flight Thursdays – Virginia! — Barrel Chest Wine & Beer, 2601 Franklin Road SW, Roanoke.
This week's themed tasting flight keeps it local, spotlighting Virginia-made pours.

Trivia at Corned Beef & Co. — weekly on Thursdays through December 17, 107 S Jefferson Street, Roanoke.
Bring your team and your obscure-fact knowledge for Corned Beef's weekly trivia night.

Friday, July 31

Beyond The Crypt: Goth Night Presented by DJ Night Terror — The Spot on Kirk, 22 Kirk Avenue SW, Roanoke.
For a very different kind of Friday night, The Spot on Kirk goes full goth with DJ Night Terror on the decks.

Botetourt County Fair — runs through August 1, Buchanan Town Park, 550 Lowe Street, Buchanan.
Rides, food, and small-town fair charm just a short drive from Roanoke.

Friday Night Jamboree — weekly on Fridays through December 18, The Floyd Country Store, 206 South Locust Street, Floyd.
Floyd's beloved Friday-night bluegrass and old-time music tradition continues, dance floor included.

Karaoke – DJ Gary Scott — Pok-E-Joe's, 105 E Washington Ave, Vinton.

Karaoke at Corned Beef & Co. — weekly on Fridays through December 18, 107 S Jefferson Street, Roanoke.

Parkway Brewing Company Downtown Opening — 17 Campbell Avenue, Roanoke.
A new downtown taproom opens its doors — worth a first pint just to check out the space.

Sunset Wagon Ride at Natural Bridge State Park — weekly on Fridays through August 14, Natural Bridge State Park, Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot, 6477 South Lee Highway, Natural Bridge.

202 Social House Happy Hour — weekly on Fridays through December 18, 202 Market Street, Roanoke.

Saturday, August 1

2026 Shakedown Street Party – A Jerry Garcia Birthday Celebration — Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill, 413 First Street, Roanoke.
Deadheads, this one's for you — Martin's Downtown throws a birthday tribute street party for Jerry Garcia.

Daleville Summer Concert Series with The Karlee Raye Band — Daleville Town Center & Performance Pavilion, 90 Town Center Street, Daleville.

Emerald City: Where Theater meets Fashion! — Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Avenue SW, Roanoke.
A runway show meets theater production — a genuinely unusual pairing worth checking out.

Her Majesty, Chesterfield Foxtrot, Times Tables at The Spot on Kirk — The Spot on Kirk, 22 Kirk Avenue SW, Roanoke.

Truck and Tractor Pull — The River Farm, 1320 Mt Joy Road, Buchanan.

Sunday, August 2

Amelia Day at The Spot on Kirk — The Spot on Kirk, 22 Kirk Avenue SW, Roanoke.

Front Porch Music Series: Dan Carrell — Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Avenue SE, Roanoke.

Sounds of Compassion with SML Boomer Band — Harvester Performance Center, 450 Franklin Street, Rocky Mount.

Speakeasy Jazz Nights at The Hotel Roanoke — SOLD OUT, Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Curio, Roanoke. Worth mentioning for how fast it moved — get on next month's list early.

Tiffany Glass: Art, Innovation, and the Permanent Collection — 2pm–3pm, Taubman Museum of Art.

Front Porch Music Series: Dan Carrell — 3pm–5pm, Taubman Museum of Art.

Monday, August 3

A quiet day on the calendar — the Monday Night Jam at Blue Ridge Institute & Museum in Ferrum is your best bet if you want to start the week with live music.

Tuesday, August 4

Teen Game Club — 4:15pm–8pm, Roanoke Public Library. Free.

Wednesday, August 5

All Day

  • Obstacle Course — Raleigh Court Library. Courses set up throughout the library to test your speed, spelling, and problem-solving all day long.

Morning

  • Storytime with Ms. Liv — 10:30am–11:15am, Roanoke Public Library. Themed books, process art, songs, and rhymes for the littlest readers.

Evening

  • Dinner and Movie — 5pm–7pm, Melrose Branch Library. A free community dinner paired with a family-friendly film screening.
  • Mid-Week Market — 5pm–7pm, Golden Cactus Brewing. Local artisans and makers set up shop with craft beer and live bluegrass from Roanoke's Olde Time Jam.
  • Back to School Market — 5pm–8pm, Golden Cactus Brewing. A separate vendor market tonight benefiting the West End Center for Youth — baked goods, flowers, books, and handmade cards for the teacher in your life.
  • Somatic Movement and Meditation — 5:30pm–6:45pm, Grandin Wellness Center, 1701 Grandin Rd. A gentle Hanna Somatics-based movement session followed by 15 minutes of guided meditation ($15, cash/check/Venmo).
  • Dan Carrell — 5:30pm–8:30pm, Parkway Brewing Company.
  • Wednesday Mountain Bike Ride — 6pm–7:30pm, Cardinal Bicycle Grandin. Two group options this week — the easygoing "Classic Mullet" loop to the star and back, or the tougher "Intermediate Mullet" with new trails on Mill Mountain. Pizza and drinks at Cardinal Café after.
  • Karaoke Night! — 10pm, Martin's Downtown Bar and Grill. Roanoke's late-night music staple keeps the mic hot into the night.

Thursday, August 6

Jason Carter Band — Thursday, August 6, 5 Points Music Sanctuary, 1217 Maple Avenue SW, Roanoke.

Maggie Baugh — Delta Dental Party in Elmwood, The REMIX — 5:30pm–8pm, Elmwood Park. Kid-friendly, outdoor, all ages.

Jason Carter Band — 6:30pm–11:30pm, 5 Points Music Sanctuary. Kid-friendly, music, arts & culture.

Live Music on the Rooftop — 7pm–10pm, Corned Beef & Company.

Friday, August 7

First Fridays with Soul Expressions — 5pm–9pm. 21 and over, outdoor, music.

Art in Conversation: Mount Vernon's Adam Erby on George Washington — 6:30pm–7:30pm, Taubman Museum of Art.

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