Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 11/19 to 11/26.
With the holidays coming up, see what's planned in Happenings.

We scoured 30 disparate community calendars (yes, 30) so you didn’t have to. From live music to theatre, lectures to drag shows, we’ve got you covered. We encourage folks to contact the venue directly to learn of any last minute changes or cancellations.
Have a Happening? Does your business want to sponsor a newsletter? Reach out to us at news@roanokerambler.com with “Happening” in the subject line. Have fun!

This weekend
- Thursday, 11/20 through Sunday, 11/23 — “Little Women, The Musical” presented by Theatre Roanoke College at Olin Hall Theatre (240 Maxey Way, Salem). ($)
Wednesday, Nov. 19
- 5 p.m. — Author event: Bruce Bryan, “Turning Tables: Everything I Needed to Know About Business I Learned as a Server” at Crystal Spring Grocery (2205 Crystal Spring Ave., Roanoke). Mingle with the author and enjoy an interview between the author, Jen Brothers and Tad Dickens.
- 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Foster Burton at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- 6 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30) — BUZZ stars Angels of Assisi at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke).
- 6 p.m. — Sesame Street Live at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). The live show brings the beloved characters from the iconic Sesame Street to life in a brand-new interactive production. ($)
- 6 p.m. — Silent Book Club at Ursula’s Cafe (511 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). No assigned reading. No pressure.
- 6 p.m. — Wine & Pie Pairing at Well Hung Vineyard (402 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). ($)
- 6 to 9 p.m. — Jazz Nights hosted by Brian Mesko at Six and Sky Rooftop Grille (1 Market Sq., Roanoke).
- 7 to 11 p.m. — Open Mic at The Front Row (356 Salem Ave., Roanoke). Whether you're a poet, musician, comedian, or just have something to say, this is your chance to shine.
- 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7) — Live music: Paper Wings with Lillian Hackett at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
- 10 p.m. — Live music: Ben Trout Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke).
Thursday, Nov. 20
- 9 a.m. to noon — Open Art Studio Space at Wellness on Melrose (2502 Melrose Ave. NW, Roanoke). Work on your own project or get inspiration from a resource artist. Use our supplies or bring your own. All artistic levels are welcome. Repeats weekly.
- 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. — Mat Yoga at Wellness on Melrose (2502 Melrose Ave. NW, Roanoke). All fitness levels and abilities are welcome. Limited mats available. Please bring your own mat, towel or blanket if possible. Classes taught by Emilee Hall. No registration needed. Through Dec. 11.
- 4 p.m. — Gaymer Day at Roanoke Diversity Center (425 Campbell Ave. SW., Roanoke). Hang out with other local young adults in the lounge, watch the latest music videos, play board games, chat and mingle. Bring your controllers and play your friends with our Nintendo Switch or Playstation, or start an RPG, card games and board games.
- 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Freak Rangers at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- 6 to 8 p.m. — Artful Encounters: Creative Conversations at Art on 1st (300 1st St. SW, Roanoke). Join us for a relaxed evening of art, ideas, and connection. Each session starts with a walk through the current exhibition, followed by open conversation about what inspires us. Bring your own artwork to share, or just come to hang out, chat, and swap creative tips with other artists.
- 6 to 8 p.m. — MAKE Roanoke community meeting at MAKE Roanoke (128 Albemarle Ave. SE, Roanoke). A great place to meet area makers of all kinds. Meetings start with a makerspace update and then we open the floor for makers to share what they’ve been working on.
- 7 p.m. — Live music: Crowder + Zach Williams with Matt Maher at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). ($)
- 7 p.m. — Live music: Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast with Erin Lunsford at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). ($)
- 7 to 11 p.m. — Karaoke Night at The Front Row (356 Salem Ave., Roanoke). Whether you're a poet, musician, comedian, or just have something to say, this is your chance to shine.
- 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Organ Fairchild at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke).
Friday, Nov. 21
- 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Drew Freeland & the Good Time Sinners at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- 6 p.m. — Live music: Happy Thanks-Crowd-Killing at Blindhouse Beer Company (534 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). Violent Convictions (West Virginia Hardcore), Dreamkiller 276 (Tazewell Hardcore), Infamy (Lynchburg Hardcore), The Downclines (Star City Street Punk), Sex Agenda (Southwest VA Punk), Vilomah (Appalachian Sludge Violence from WV). ($)
- 6 p.m. — Live music: Adam Hill at Twisted Track Brewpub (523 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke).
- 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Jess Klein with Rob Fraim at the 3rd Street Coffee House (305 Mountain Ave. SW, Roanoke)
- 7:30 p.m. — Live music: The Ultimate Elvis Christmas at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). ($)
- 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Water Culture, Lost In Space Camp, Oh! You Pretty Things, Regen Tate at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
- 8 p.m. — Live music: Mourn the Illusion at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke)
- 8 to 11 p.m. — Live music: Abbey & Andy at Pok-E-Joe’s (105 E. Washington Ave. Vinton).
- 10 p.m. — Live music: 65 North Pickers at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase tickets here. ($)
Saturday, Nov. 22
- 8 a.m. to noon — Star City Half Marathon & 10k starting at River’s Edge (304 Reserve Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. — November Holiday Market at Daleville Town Center (90 Town Center St., Daleville).
- 10 a.m. — Exhibition Openings: “The First People of the Roanoke Valley,” and “The Eastern Siouan of the Roanoke Valley,” at the Salem Museum (801 E. Main St., Salem).
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. — Art and Architecture Walking Tour: Both Sides of the Track led by Taubman Museum of Art Research Fellow and historian James Moser starting at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). Registration required. ($)
- 11 a.m. — Grandin Village Holiday Children’s Parade along Grandin Rd. (Between Brandon Ave. and Memorial Ave., Roanoke). Join the afterparty at Cardinal Bicycle (1312 Winborne St. SW, Roanoke) immediately following the parade, where there will be awards for best float, most creative, and biggest group.
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Potato Drop at the Berglund Center (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke) presented by the Roanoke City Police Department. Do you need fresh produce on your table? If so, join us at this drive through crop drop.
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Cranksgiving starting and ending at Golden Cactus Brewing (214 Fifth St., Roanoke). All you need is a bike, a backpack, and around $25 to purchase non-perishable food items to donate to the Roanoke Rescue Mission. Meet at Golden Cactus, receive your route, and then return to the brewery.
- 5 p.m. — Opening night: Illuminights at Explore Park (56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd., Roanoke). Wander a half-mile wooded trail filled with over 650,000 dazzling lights, new themes, and festive fun for the whole family.
- 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: The Kind at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- 6 p.m. — Live music: Eric Wayne Band at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke).
- 6 p.m. — Live music: Shoobies at Twisted Track Brewpub (523 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke).
- 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Five Shades of Gray at Twin Creeks Brewing Company (111 S. Pollard St., Vinton).
- 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Kinnfolk at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
- 7 p.m. — Live music: Handel’s Messiah Sing-Along at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church (1837 Grandin Rd., Roanoke). Bring your score (or borrow one at the door!) and sing along with our Opera Roanoke Young Artists, chorus, and the Roanoke Baroque chamber orchestra in this festive, heartwarming holiday tradition. No rehearsal, no pressure—just glorious music and the magic of raising our voices together. All are welcome!
- 7 to 9 p.m. — Line Dancing with Angela at The Alley Cat (335 S. Main St., Rocky Mount).
- 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Deaf Andrews with Hash at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
- 8 p.m. — Live music: The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). A spellbinding 90-minute spectacle that infuses iconic Rock & Metal anthems with a hauntingly beautiful energy. In ethereal candlelit settings, this band of 14 classical musicians unleash effortlessly enchanting melodies alongside powerful walls of distortion. Witness the unexpected union of Classical music and Metal. ($)
- 10 p.m. — Live music: Glam’r Kitti at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase tickets here. ($)
Sunday, Nov. 23
- 11 a.m. — Thanksgiving Drag Bingo at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke).
- 1 to 4 p.m. — Live music: Dan Carrell at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Rare Chocolate at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- 2 to 4 p.m. — Working With Weeds “Roots in Rhythm” Workshop at Maplewood Studios (1360 Maple Ave. SW, Roanoke). Come explore the power of some amazing herbal allies in this informative workshop that digs deep into identifying, using and harvesting medicinal herbal roots for a variety of applications. ($)
- 6 p.m. — Live music: IréSon at Rockfish Food & Wine (1402 Grandin Rd., Roanoke Ste. 102). Afro-Cuban Acid Jazz. The grooviest parts of soul, funk, acid jazz, blended w/ traditional Cuban rhythms, create a truly original experience.
Monday, Nov. 24
- 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
- 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). ($)
Tuesday, Nov. 25
- 4 to 7 p.m. — Open Art Studio Space at Wellness on Melrose (2502 Melrose Ave. NW, Roanoke). Work on your own project or get inspiration from a resource artist. Use our supplies or bring your own. All artistic levels are welcome. Repeats weekly.
- 4 to 8 p.m. — Happy Hour for All at A Few Old Goats Brewing –– Roanoke (515 8th St. SW, Suite 228, Roanoke).
- 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Drew Freeland at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
- 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Set in the 1930s in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, this unforgettable musical imagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town, where his callous greed blinds him to the joys and gifts of the season. ($)
- 7:30 p.m. — Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). Featuring an international cast, whimsical puppetry and opulent costumes and sets, hand-crafted by the finest artisans of Europe. ($)
- 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Christian Q. & Co. at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase tickets here. ($)
Wednesday, Nov. 26
- 5 to 11 p.m. — Thanksgiving Throwdown Block Party at Fork in the Alley (2123 Crystal Spring Ave., Roanoke). Two stages with live music: Chad Nickel and the Loose Change, Phat Anchovies, and Eric Wayne Band, plus the ever-talented Stimulator Jones! Bring your chairs and wear warm clothes. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
- 5:30 p.m. — Annual Friendsgiving Party at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). Live music on the main stage and DJs on The Next Level. 21+
- 6 to 9 p.m. — Jazz Nights hosted by Brian Mesko at Six and Sky Rooftop Grille (1 Market Sq., Roanoke).
- 7 p.m. — Live music: Champions of Magic: Holiday Spectacular at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Featuring dazzling illusions, breathtaking, grand-scale magic, and festive surprises for the whole family. ($)
- 7 to 11 p.m. — Open Mic at The Front Row (356 Salem Ave., Roanoke). Whether you're a poet, musician, comedian, or just have something to say, this is your chance to shine.
- 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Knoxville Ice Bears at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). ($)
- 8 p.m. — Live music: Solacoustix at Pollard 107 South (107 South Pollard St., Vinton).
- 8 p.m. — Friendsgiving at Corned Beef & Co. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Come meet your friends and reminisce back where it all began at Corned Beef & Co! Celebrating 40 years in business this year! Jell-O Shots, fall cocktails & 2 DJs!
- 10 p.m. — Live music: GAK! at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). ($)
Looking ahead
- Nov. 29, 10:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — Songs & Stories with Santa (formerly Fantasyland) at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). Santa teaches important lessons of love and sharing as he tells original stories, sings, plays guitar, and interacts with the children through fun activities. Santa has set program times; advanced tickets are required, and tickets are non-transferrable. Every Saturday until Christmas. ($)
- Dec. 4, 7 p.m.. — Live music: Last Illusion: Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tribute at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). The premier musical tribute to The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ($)
Ongoing
- Through Nov. 29 — Raven Skye McDonough’s “Redefining the Art of Collage” at Left of Center Art Space (24 Campbell Ave. SW, Roanoke).
- Through Dec. 11 — Mat Yoga at Wellness on Melrose (2502 Melrose Ave. NW, Roanoke). 3:15 to 4:15 every Thursday. All fitness levels and abilities are welcome. Limited mats available. Please bring your own mat, towel or blanket if possible. Classes taught by Emilee Hall. No registration needed.
- Through Dec. 12 — “Curator Off Duty” Exhibition at Olin Hall Galleries at Roanoke College (240 High St. Salem). This is an open exhibition for any and all artists living in Virginia. This exhibition invites artists and creators of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to submit a work of art to be shown at Olin Hall Galleries. Each submission must fit within one cubic foot. Curator Off Duty aims to unite the Virginia visual arts community through diversity and inclusion.
- Through Dec. 27: “Colors” at Art on 1st (300 1st St. SW, Roanoke). Color can transform a space, evoke emotion, or shift perspective. For this group exhibition, we invite artists to explore the role of color in their work and how it influences the way we see and feel. All styles, mediums, and experience levels are welcome.
- Saturdays through Dec. 27 — Downtown Roanoke Food & Cultural Tour starting at 11:15 a.m. from Hotel Roanoke (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). A walking tour that connects Roanoke's local food scene with the city's colorful history. Visit six food-tasting locations within the historic and vibrant downtown historic district. Delicious samplings, enough for a hearty meal for most, are served from locally-owned eateries at iconic historic locations. ($)
- Every Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — VA Works Assistance presented by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement in Meeting Rooms B and C at the Roanoke City Main Library (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Do you need help with your job search? Looking for temporary income support or transition and training services? Visit the workforce experts at their satellite desks at the Main Library in downtown Roanoke.