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

• 12/26 through 1/1, daily 2 to 4 p.m.— Kwanzaa Celebration at the Harrison Museum of African American Culture (2502 Melrose Ave. NW, Roanoke). Seven days of cultural celebration honoring the Nguzo Saba principles through storytelling, music, hands-on activities, and community unity at Melrose Plaza. See details about each day’s events at this link. 

Wednesday, Dec. 24 

• 6 p.m. — Buchanan Christmas Eve Luminary Display along Main Street in the Town of Buchanan. Volunteers begin placing luminaries at 3:00 p.m. and lighting begins at 5 p.m. with the candles burning through midnight.

Thursday, Dec. 25 

• Christmas Day

Friday, Dec. 26

• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: The Floorboards at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6 p.m. — Live music: TJ Ellis at Twisted Track Brewpub (523 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). 
• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Eric Wayne acoustic set at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Phat Pocket Band at Rosie’s Gaming Emporium (1135 Vineyard Rd., Vinton). 
• 8 to 11 p.m. — Live music: Abby & Andy at Pok-E-Joe’s (105 E. Washington Ave. Vinton). 
• 10 p.m.  — Live music: Chad Nickell & The Loose Change at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase tickets here. ($)

Saturday, Dec. 27

• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Live music: The Grassholes Bluegrass Jam at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: McFadden and Friends at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 6 p.m. — Live music: Sasha Landon at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke).
• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: William Seymour at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 7 to 9 p.m. — Line Dancing with Angela at The Alley Cat (335 S. Main St., Rocky Mount).
• 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Knoxville Ice Bears at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). ($)
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Sicard Hollow w. Jacoozy at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). ($)
• 8 to 11 p.m. — Live music: Gar-Y-Oke (Karaoke) at Pok-E-Joe’s (105 E. Washington Ave. Vinton). 
• 10 p.m.  — Live music: Jared Stout Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase tickets here. ($)

Sunday, Dec. 28

• 11 a.m. to noon — Yoga with BodyMindSoul Yoga at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). ($)
• 11:30 a.m. — Grinch Drag Bingo at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke). Equal parts festive, shady, and just the right amount of mean-spirited joy. ($)
• 1:30 to 4 p.m. — Live music: Sasha Landon at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 2 to 4 p.m. — Guitars Under the Star Guitar Pull presented by 3rd Street Coffee House at Mill Mountain Discovery Center (2000 JB Fishburn Parkway. SE, Roanoke). Gather together with acoustic instruments in hand and celebrate music. Originals or covers are fine. Everyone is welcome.
• 4:30 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Sittin’ In with Robby featuring The Ambassador at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).

Monday, Dec. 29

• 5 p.m. — Live music: Drew Freeland & The Goodtime Sinners at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 

Tuesday, Dec. 30

• 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). 
• 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. 31 — New Year’s Eve

• Open to 2 a.m. — New Year’s Eve Party at Corned Beef & Co. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke).
• 4 p.m. — Rudolph’s New Year’s Eve Celebration with live music by Hot Fuss at Six and Sky Rooftop Grille (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). ($)
• 6 p.m. — Live music: New Year’s Eve Celebration with the Klaxton Brown Band at the  Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). ($)
• 6 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Gala presented by Preceptor Omicron at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). ($)
• 6 p.m. — Killer Countdown Murder Mystery at Stave & Cork (115 E. Main St., Salem). Play a character, solve clues, and interrogate all of the suspects. Everyone will get their character role at this adults-only murder mystery event, so be sure to arrive on time. Purchase advance tickets. ($)
• 6 p.m. — Live music: New Year’s Eve Party at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). ($)
• 6 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Ball Celebration at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Ring in the New Year with style! Enjoy a fabulous four-course prix-fixe dinner that will tantalize your taste buds, complete with delightful party favors to keep the festive spirit alive. ($)
• 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. — A Night at the Oscars New Year’s Eve Dance Party at The Park Dance Club (615 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
• 6:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Fayetteville Marksmen at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). ($)
• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Same As it Ever Was: Talking Heads Tribute ft. Mojo Sauce Hornsmen at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). ($)
• 7 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Concert with Kam’ron Smith & Connor Hunt at The Copper Still (25156 Virgil H Goode Hwy, Boones Mill). Live country music from Kam’ron Smith and Connor Hunt With Dj sets in between! Free champagne toast at midnight. ($)
• 7 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Celebration on the Rooftop at 1772 Rooftop on Main (18 South Roanoke St., Fincastle). ($)
• 7 p.m. to midnight — New Year’s Eve at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke).
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Grace Potter w/ Holy Roller at The Exchange Music Hall (201 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke
• 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. — Live music: New Year's Eve Celtic Fiddling at Atheling Meadworks (123 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). 
• 9 p.m. — Live music: GAK! New Year’s Eve Party at Fork in the Alley (2123 Crystal Spring Ave., Roanoke). We’ll be partying in the inside patio of the alley that night to bring in the New Year right! ($)
• 9 to 11 p.m. — Live music: Solacoustix at Pok-E-Joe’s (105 E. Washington Ave. Vinton). 
• 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. — New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). Live music with The Klaxton Brown Band, heavy hors d’oeuvres and delectable desserts, and a champagne toast. Registration required. 18+ ($) 
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: New Year’s Eve Party with Eric Wayne Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase tickets here. ($)
• 11:45 p.m. — Ringing of the Bells in historic Fincastle (3 W. Main St., Fincastle). A synchronized and solemn requiem to end the old year and a joyous tolling to celebrate the beginning of the New Year. 

Ongoing Festive Events

• Through Dec. 31 — Botetourt Chamber Tinsel Trail Opening Night in downtown Fincastle.  Beautifully decorated trees, specially designed by local businesses and organizations. 
• 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. 3 — Buchanan Festival of Lights in the Town of Buchanan (19753 Main St., Buchanan). The Lights will be on each evening beginning November 29th through January 3rd, with admission by donation. For additional information please call the Buchanan Town Hall at 540-254-1212. ($)
• Through Jan. 4 — Illuminights at Explore Park (56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd., Roanoke). Wander a half-mile wooded trail filled with over 650,000 dazzling lights, new themes, and festive fun for the whole family. ($)
• Through Jan. 5 — 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. 

Ongoing

• 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. ($)
• Weekends through Dec. 31 — S’mores on the Courtyard at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Pick up the S'mores Kit in STEAM Coffee + Eatery while making new friends, sharing stories and enjoying the tradition of making S’mores. ($)
• 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.