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

• Friday, 11/28 through Sunday, 11/30 — Roanoke Valley Mineral & Gem Society Show at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). ($)

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+
• 5:30 p.m. — Live music: Jared Stout at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, 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. 
• 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Knoxville Ice Bears at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). ($)
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Solacoustix at Pollard 107 South (107 South Pollard St., Vinton).
• 8 p.m. — Friendsgiving at Corned Beef & Co. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Come meet your friends and reminisce back where it all began at Corned Beef & Co. Celebrating 40 years in business this year. Jell-O Shots, fall cocktails & 2 DJs.
• 10 p.m.  —  Live music: GAK! at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). ($)

Thursday, Nov. 27 — Thanksgiving

• 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. — Opening Day: Fashions for Evergreens at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Continues through Jan. 1.
• 9 a.m. — Drumstick Dash to benefit the Roanoke Rescue Mission, to take place all around downtown Roanoke. Starts at the corner of Williamson Rd. and Franklin Rd., Roanoke. Plan adequate time for traffic and parking. Register in advance here. ($)

Friday, Nov. 28

• All day — The Elf on the Shelf Adventure presented by Downtown Roanoke, Inc. all around Downtown Roanoke. Come on a fun scavenger hunt and find the Scout Elves hiding in downtown stores. Find them all and be entered for a chance to win $1,000. See website for rules. 
• 10 a.m. — Opening: Vintage Fantasyland exhibit at O. Winston Link Museum (101 Shenandoah Ave. NW, Roanoke). The vintage Fantasyland decorations from the old Heironomous location in downtown Roanoke will be on display at the museum this season. Regular admission applies. While you’re in the building, check out the Deck the Doors event in the Virginia’s Blue Ridge lobby, featuring doors creatively decorated by local businesses, artists, and nonprofits. Visitors can vote for their favorite door— with dollars — to support the museum’s mission. (Note: Santa will be appearing at the Taubman Museum of Art this year.) ($)
• 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. — Opening Day: A Christmas Story presented by Mill Mountain Theatre (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Set in the 1940s, the play follows the adventures of young Ralphie Parker, who desperately wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas despite warnings from his parents, teacher, and even Santa Claus. Continues through Dec. 21. ($)
• 5 to 9 p.m. — Land of Lights at Franklin County Recreation Park (2150 Sontag Rd., Rocky Mount). Drive the half mile loop and enjoy the Christmas lights with your whole family! Donations accepted.
• 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Camelcals at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 7 to 8 p.m. — Buchanan Tree Lighting at Buchanan Town Hall (19753 Main St., Buchanan). 
• 7 to 11 p.m. — Live music: Annalyse Hasty at Pok-E-Joe’s (105 E. Washington Ave. Vinton). 
• 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Fayetteville Marksmen at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). ($)
• 8 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Live music: Phat Laces at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). ($)
• 10 p.m.  — Live music: Empty Bottles (Yacht Rock) at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase tickets here. ($)

Saturday, 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. ($)
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Fall for Ursula, a fundraiser for Ursula’s Cafe (511 Jefferson St., Roanoke). We will have a day full of all original entertainment, vendors with handmade and local gifts, art and books, a raffle for fun prizes, delicious donate-what-you-can food and a hot chocolate bar! All hosted by Bromeo! Come on over and help us make sure there’s a place in our community where everyone can enjoy delicious homemade food and creative arts offerings.
• 11 a.m. to noon — Steppin’ with Nish at CommUNITY ARTSreach (3025 Frontier Rd. NW, Roanoke). A fun, high-energy step cardio session to shake off Thanksgiving and boost your vibes. 
• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Live music: Minor Strings at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Little Roger and The Cheap Thrills feat. Billy Crawford at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 6 p.m. — Live music: Lenny Marcus Trio at Montano’s International Gourmet (7813, 3722 Franklin Rd. SW, Roanoke). 
• 6 p.m. — Live music: BOCO Duo at Atheling Meadworks (123 Campbell Ave. SW, Roanoke).
• 6 to 11 p.m. — Opening night: Buchanan Festival of Trees in the Town of Buchanan (19753 Main St.). Admission by donation. Through Jan. 3. ($)
• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Eric Wayne Band at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 7 to 9 p.m. — Live music: A Celtic Christmas at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (19 Cedar Ridge Dr., Daleville). This enchanting evening will be filled with traditional Celtic Christmas music performed live by local favorites Kinnfolk, The MacKenzies, and Appalachian Piping Academy. ($)
• 7 to 9 p.m. — Line Dancing with Angela at The Alley Cat (335 S. Main St., Rocky Mount).
• 8 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Live music: The Darkside Experience: Pink Floyd Tribute at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). ($)
• 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Maiden & Crow Presents: Thin The Herd, Laniidae, Cohen Noise, To Be A King at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
• 8 to 11 p.m. — Live music: DJ Gary Scott at Pok-E-Joe’s (105 E. Washington Ave. Vinton). 
• 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. — “The Feast” with Shy Glizzy and Ferrarii at Status Restaurant & Lounge (213 Williamson Rd. SE, Roanoke). ($)
• 10 p.m.  — Live music: Dark Moon Radio + Coyote Radio: Dark Moon Hollow Farewell Tour at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase tickets here. ($)

Sunday, Nov. 30

• 11 a.m. to noon — Yoga at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). ($)
• 1 to 4 p.m. — Live music: Keith Goggin at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Mason Creek at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).

Monday, Dec. 1

• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 7 to 8 p.m. — Live music: A Kaleidoscope Christmas presented by The Roanoke Choral Society at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church (1837 Grandin Rd., Roanoke). Free; recommended donation: $20 per person. ($)

Tuesday, Dec. 2

• Noon to 1 p.m. — Lecture: Aging with Dignity with Eric Beasly in room 409 at the Roanoke Higher Education Center (108 N. Jefferson St., Roanoke). This free lecture will address the growing needs of the elderly population. Understand the growing needs of the elderly population, identify gaps in healthcare and social services, and explore integrated care models and community-based support systems.
• 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 p.m. — Live dinner performance: Sounds of the Season, A Christmas Celebration with TFox at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Returning for his second year, TFox brings the magic of Christmas to life with a heartwarming performance filled with holiday classics, soulful melodies, and powerful vocals that capture the joy and meaning of the season. Set in the beautifully adorned Regency Room, this dinner show offers a perfect blend of holiday cheer and musical brilliance. ($)
• 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Holiday Tree Lighting at the Blue Ridge Library (28 Avery Rd., Roanoke). Listen to live piano music with Travis Payne and choir performances by the Botetourt Music Academy. Enjoy games and crafts and join us for a free dinner as well as plenty of hot cocoa and cookies (while supplies last).  
• 6 to 8 p.m. — Silent Book Club at Well Hung Vineyard (402 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). No assigned reading. No pressure.
• 7 p.m. — Live music: Holiday Handbells at Raleigh Court United Methodist Church (1706 Grandin Rd., Roanoke). 
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: The Request Line with Jared Stout at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). 

Wednesday, Dec. 3

• 6 p.m. — Live dinner performance: Sounds of the Season, A Christmas Celebration with TFox at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Returning for his second year, TFox brings the magic of Christmas to life with a heartwarming performance filled with holiday classics, soulful melodies, and powerful vocals that capture the joy and meaning of the season. Set in the beautifully adorned Regency Room, this dinner show offers a perfect blend of holiday cheer and musical brilliance. ($)
• 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Shape Note Singing at Roanoke Friends Meeting (505 Day Ave. SW, Roanoke). Shape Note takes its name from the musical notation system to aid in sight-singing where notes are written on the page with different shapes, each corresponding to the degree of the scale. All are welcome. No experience necessary. 
• 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6) — Live music: Palmyra at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). ($)
• 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. 
• 10 p.m.  —  Live music: GAK! at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). ($)

Looking ahead

• 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. ($)
• Dec. 5, 7 p.m. — Queer Karaoke Night at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke). Life is hard. Cherish Community. Can’t sing? That’s okay. Lip sync it or cheer others on. 
• Dec. 5, 8 p.m. — Make the Yuletide Gay with Crys Matthews, Flamy Grant, and Heather Mae The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Don your gay apparel and cozy up next to three award-winning songwriters for a night of holiday classics, original music, storytelling, comfort, and joy. ($)
• Dec. 9, 6 p.m. (gather at 5 p.m.) — 9th Annual Holiday Lights Tour presented by PedalSafe ROA, RIDE Solutions, and Cardinal Bicycle in the Grandin Village. Meet at Cardinal Bicycle’s Grandin Village location (1312 Winbourne St. SW, Roanoke). Get in the holiday spirit and dress up in your most festive holiday outfit- the tackier the better — for a slow-paced and family-friendly ~4-mile bike ride to view some of the best festive lights Roanoke has to offer. This tour will roll through several streets in Grandin Village to experience the holiday lights and sights before returning to Cardinal Bicycle. See you there! Registration and volunteer signups here.
• Dec. 11, 6 p.m.. — Murder at the Gin Joint at Bubba’s 33 4824 Valley View Blvd., Roanoke). Play a character, solve clues, and interrogate all of the suspects. Everyone will get their character role at this adults-only murder mystery event, so be sure to arrive by 5:45. Purchase advance tickets. ($)
• Dec. 14, 6 p.m. — DnD Comedy Night at Atheling Meadworks (123 Campbell Ave. SW, Roanoke). Get ready for a unique experience where our comedians will roll the dice and improvise their way through fantasy scenarios. Whether you're a seasoned DnD player or just looking for a good time, this event is perfect for all levels of experience. ($)

Ongoing Festive Events

• Through Dec. 20 — 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. ($)
• Nov. 27 through Dec. 21 — “A Christmas Story” presented by Mill Mountain Theatre (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Set in the 1940s, the play follows the adventures of young Ralphie Parker, who desperately wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas despite warnings from his parents, teacher, and even Santa Claus. Continues through Dec. 21. ($)
• Through Dec. 25 — Land of Lights at Franklin County Recreation Park (2150 Sontag Rd., Rocky Mount). Drive the half mile loop and enjoy the Christmas lights with your whole family! Donations accepted.
• Through Jan 1 — Fashions for Evergreens at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). 
• Through Jan. 2 — Vintage Fantasyland exhibit at O. Winston Link Museum (101 Shenandoah Ave. NW, Roanoke). The vintage Fantasyland decorations from the old Heironomous location in downtown Roanoke will be on display at the museum this season. Regular admission applies. While you’re in the building, check out the Deck the Doors event in the Virginia’s Blue Ridge lobby, featuring doors creatively decorated by local businesses, artists, and nonprofits. Visitors can vote for their favorite door— with dollars — to support the museum’s mission. (Note: Santa will be appearing at the Taubman Museum of Art this year.) ($)
• Through Jan. 3 — Buchanan Festival of Trees in the Town of Buchanan (19753 Main St.). Admission by donation. ($)
• Through Jan. 4 — 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. ($)

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.