Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 12/14 to 12/21.

We scoured 17 disparate community calendars (yes, 17) so you didn’t have to.

Revelers gather by the City Market as The Roanoke Times Dickens of a Christmas parade takes place Dec. 9. Fake snow falls. PHOTO BY HENRI GENDREAU

We scoured 17 disparate community calendars (yes, 17) so you didn’t have to. Want to know when the next City Council meeting takes place? Curious about what there’s to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered. We list events chronologically. Want to see different formatting/information? Let us know! This weekly listing is accessible to non-subscribers. Especially with pandemic uncertainty, we strongly 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!

Ongoing

  • Through Friday, Dec. 16 — The Elf on the Shelf Adventure in Downtown Roanoke, presented by Downtown Roanoke, Inc. Sixteen elves are hidden in stores in downtown Roanoke. Find them all, turn in your adventure passport, and be entered to win $1000. Visit this link for more information, including full contest rules.
  • Through Dec. 25 — Land of Lights presented by Franklin County Parks and Recreation at Franklin County Recreation Park (2150 Sontag Rd., Rocky Mount, VA). Open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Drive the half mile loop and enjoy over 50,000 Christmas lights with your whole family.  For more information, visit this link.
  • Through Dec. 30 — Illuminights, Explore Park’s Winter Walk of Lights opens at Explore Park (56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd., Roanoke), open 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Nov. 25-27; with some adjusted hours Dec. 1 through Dec. 30. Closed Dec. 24 and 25. Half-mile wooded path has more than 600,000 lights. Santa visit, marshmallow roasting and more are part of the experience, depending on the day. For more information, visit this link. ($)
  • Through Jan. 1 — Fashions for Evergreens presented by the United Way of Roanoke Valley and the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Features more than 25 trees throughout the property, the event’s public vote raises money for the United Way of Roanoke Valley. For more information, visit this link.
  • Through Jan. 2 — Parade of Christmas Trees at the Vinton War Memorial (814 E. Washington Ave., Vinton). Trees are donated and decorated by Vinton businesses. For more information, visit this link.
  • Through Jan. 29 — Elmwood on Ice, presented by WDBJ (Channel 7) comes to Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Find hours and ticket information at this link. ($)

Wednesday, December 14

  • 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. — Yoga at the Taubman Museum of Art. For more information, visit www.taubmanmuseum.org/calendar or contact info@taubmanmuseum.org or (540) 342-5760. ($)
  • 5:30 p.m. — 2022 Ride Solutions Holiday Lights Tour starting at Cardinal Bicycle’s Grandin Village Location (1312 Winbourne St., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information.
  • 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates meeting in Room 309 at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 6 to 9 p.m. — Views and Brews presented by Roanoke Mountain Adventures, starting at 806 Wasena Ave., Roanoke. This guided e-bike tour will lead you on a cycling adventure along the Roanoke River Greenway and up Mill Mountain, and through two of Roanoke’s loveliest neighborhoods. You’ll have the opportunity to stop at breweries and local eateries during your three hour tour. Equipment rental is included in the ticket price. For more information and to book your tour, visit this link. ($)
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Phat Anchovies at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413  St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Thursday, December 15

  • 5 to 7 p.m. — Gravel Adventure Field Guide Launch Party at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). Visit this link for more information.
  • 7:30 p.m. — Southern Fried Yuletide Comedy “Christmas Belles” at Attic Productions (7490 Roanoke Rd., Fincastle). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Charissa Joy & the High Frequency at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413  St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Friday, December 16

  • 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. — Free Yoga for the People at the main Roanoke Public Library (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke.) More information can be found at this link.
  • 9 a.m. — Friday Coffee Club Ride starting at Sweet Donkey Coffee (2108 Broadway Ave., Roanoke). Meet local road cyclists at this weekly coffee club ride.
  • 4 to 7 p.m. — Christmas at the Farm at Blue Ridge Institute & Museum (20 Museum Dr., Ferrum). The farm will be lit by lanterns. Features cookies, cider, and a variety of vendors. For more information, visit this link.
  • 4 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Lindsay Bella at Well Hung Vineyard (402 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke).
  • 5 to 8 p.m. — Big Lick Comics Magical Christmas Party (3424 Orange Ave. Suite B, Roanoke). Features magician Nelson Oliver and magical creatures from Mill Mountain Zoo plus wand-making, cookie & hot cocoa bar, free comics, cosplay contest, and more. For more information, visit this link.
  • 5 to 9 p.m. — Luminary Nights at Natural Bridge State Park (Cedar Creek Trail 6477 South Lee Highway, Natural Bridge). Features festive lights and roaring fires. This is a special time of year to visit Natural Bridge. Visit this link for more information. ($)
  • 5 to 9 p.m. — Holiday Late Nights at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information.
  • 6 to 10 p.m. — Dickens of a Christmas presented by Downtown Roanoke, Inc. in Downtown Roanoke featuring the Roanoke Valley SPCA pet costume contest. For more information, visit this link.
  • 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Jesse Ray Carter Duo at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 7:30 p.m. — Southern Fried Yuletide Comedy “Christmas Belles” at Attic Productions (7490 Roanoke Rd., Fincastle). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 8 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Live music: Felix at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 8 p.m. — Live music: Southern Culture on the Skids at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 8 p.m. — Live music: The What Four / CCS at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW., Roanoke). Purchase tickets at this link. ($)
  • 9 p.m. — Def Comedy Jam Alumni Reunion at Tajzmah’s Lounge (434 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: War Chile at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Saturday, December 17

  • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Salem Gun & Knife Show at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). Visit this link for more information. ($)
  • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (ticketed showtimes at 10 and 11 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m.) — Fantasyland at the History Museum of Western Virginia (101 Shenandoah Ave. NE, Roanoke). Visit with Santa, sing songs, and share stories. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Home Alive in ’45: a WWII Christmas Celebration presented by the 24th Virginia Infantry Living Historians at the Salem Museum & Historical Society (801 E. Main St., Salem). Experience Christmas time as it was celebrated during WWII. Find more information at this link.
  • 11 a.m. — Downtown Roanoke food and cultural tour, starting at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Author Event: Saturday Signings with local authors featuring Sarah Warburton and Henry Yampolsky at Book No Further (112 Market St. SE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information.
  • Noon— Household Hazardous Waste Collection at Tinker Creek Transfer Station (1020 Hollins Rd. NE, Roanoke). Registration required. Visit this link to register in advance.
  • 1 to 5 p.m. — Miracle on 9th Street: A Blue Ridge Christmas at the Center on 9th (1910 9th St. SE, Roanoke). Stroll through the Blue Ridge Nightmares set, bedecked with holiday cheer. There will be no scare elements in place. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 2 to 4 p.m. — Author Event: Saturday Signings with local authors featuring Ken Conklin and Bill Grose at Book No Further (112 Market St. SE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information.
  • 2 and 7 p.m. — “The Nutcracker” presented by Roanoke Ballet Theatre at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 2 and 7:30 p.m. — UPDATE: CANCELED due to Covid: Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn” at Mill Mountain Theatre (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Celebrate the holiday season with this joyous musical featuring thrilling tap-dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a parade of hit Irving Berlin songs. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 2:30 p.m. — Southern Fried Yuletide Comedy “Christmas Belles” at Attic Productions (7490 Roanoke Rd., Fincastle). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 5 to 9 p.m. — Luminary Nights at Natural Bridge State Park (Cedar Creek Trail 6477 South Lee Highway, Natural Bridge). Features festive lights and roaring fires. This is a special time of year to visit Natural Bridge. Visit this link for more information. ($)
  • 6 p.m. — The Hustler Ball Anniversary Celebration presented by Humble Hustle at the Corinthian Ballroom (109 Kirk Ave., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: The Eric Wayne Band at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 8 p.m. — Live music: Mark Chestnutt at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 8 to 11 p.m. — PWR Poetry Jam presented by D. Reynolds at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW., Roanoke). Purchase tickets at this link. ($)
  • 8 to 11 p.m. — Live music: Hoppie Vaughan & the Ministers of Soul at 2 Chill Restaurant (312 2nd. St. SW, Roanoke).
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Half Moon Christmas Jam at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Sunday, December 18

  • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Salem Gun & Knife Show at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). Visit this link for more information. ($)
  • Noon to 3 p.m. — Public Ice Skating at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information. ($)
  • 1 to 5 p.m. — Miracle on 9th Street: A Blue Ridge Christmas at the Center on 9th (1910 9th St. SE, Roanoke). Stroll through the Blue Ridge Nightmares set, bedecked with holiday cheer. There will be no scare elements in place. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 2 p.m. — UPDATE: CANCELED due to Covid: Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn” at Mill Mountain Theatre (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Celebrate the holiday season with this joyous musical featuring thrilling tap-dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a parade of hit Irving Berlin songs. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 2 to 2:30 p.m. — Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Youth Strings Concert at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information.
  • 2:30 p.m. — Southern Fried Yuletide Comedy “Christmas Belles” at Attic Productions (7490 Roanoke Rd., Fincastle). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 5 to 6:30 p.m. — Bells and Candlelight Service at Greene Memorial United Methodist Church (402 Second St. SW, Roanoke). Celebrate the Christmas season during this outdoor service featuring music, stories, scripture, and candles.
  • 5 to 9 p.m. — Luminary Nights at Natural Bridge State Park (Cedar Creek Trail 6477 South Lee Highway, Natural Bridge). Features festive lights and roaring fires. This is a special time of year to visit Natural Bridge. Visit this link for more information. ($)
  • 6 to 9:30 p.m. — Murder Mystery Tacky Sweater Party at Well Hung Vineyard (402 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 8 p.m. — Live music: Southern Culture on the Skids at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)

Monday, December 19

  • 1 to 2 p.m. — Regular quarterly meeting of the Roanoke City audit committee at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 2 p.m. — Roanoke City Council meeting, regular session, in City Council Chambers at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. — Free Yoga for the People at the main Roanoke Public Library (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke.) More information can be found at this link.
  • 7 p.m. — Roanoke City Council meeting, public hearings in City Council Chambers at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).

Tuesday, December 20

  • 2 to 6 p.m. — Ice Bumper Cars at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information. ($)
  • 6 p.m. — Fleet Feet Pub Run & Walk at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). Walk or run with the Fleet Feet family; 1, 3, and 5 mile routes are available, and participants can scale the distance or pace to their own needs. Check in at the Fleet Feet tent when you arrive. Visit this link for more details.
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Seph Custer & the Flatbreaks at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413  St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Wednesday, December 21

  • 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. — Yoga at the Taubman Museum of Art. For more information, visit www.taubmanmuseum.org/calendar or contact info@taubmanmuseum.org or (540) 342-5760. ($)
  • 6 to 9 p.m. — Views and Brews presented by Roanoke Mountain Adventures, starting at 806 Wasena Ave., Roanoke. This guided e-bike tour will lead you on a cycling adventure along the Roanoke River Greenway and up Mill Mountain, and through two of Roanoke’s loveliest neighborhoods. You’ll have the opportunity to stop at breweries and local eateries during your three hour tour. Equipment rental is included in the ticket price. For more information and to book your tour, visit this link. ($)
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Josh Clark’s Visible Spectrum at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413  St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Support local, independent journalism and don't miss a single story!

Become a member

More Details