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Happenings

Happenings: The Roanoke Events Calendar: Week of 7/22 to 7/30

Roanoke Rambler

• 4 min read

Happenings: The Roanoke Events Calendar. Week of 7/22 to 7/30.

This stretch has a little bit of everything: a sold-out outlaw-country legend, a yacht rock throwback on the river, a Vince Gill night that'll sell out your group chat, and enough trivia, karaoke, and happy hours to fill every gap in between.

Marquee Picks

Vince Gill — Friday, July 24, Berglund Center, 710 Williamson Road.
A country legend with more Grammys than most artists have albums, playing a room this size — grab tickets before your neighbors beat you to it.

Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters: The 2026 Morro Rock Tour — Tuesday, July 28, Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. SOLD OUT.
The actor-turned-rocker's stop sold out fast — proof Rocky Mount can pack a house, even for a Tuesday.

Yächtley Crëw: Yacht Rock — Friday, July 24, Dr Pepper Park @ The Bridges, 9 Old Whitmore Avenue.
Smooth sailing meets riverfront summer nights — bring a lawn chair and your best captain's hat energy.

Wednesday, July 22

David Ramey Collection Reception — Gainsboro Branch Library, 15 Patton Ave. NW.
A hometown collection gets its moment — a quiet, community-first way to kick off the week.

Salem RidgeYaks vs. Augusta Greenjackets — Salem Memorial Ballpark, 1004 Texas Street.
Minor league baseball on a summer night is still one of the Valley's best cheap dates.

America at 250: An Art Fundraiser for WBRA — Fridays through July 31 (also running Wed–Fri, July 22–24), evenings from roughly 4:40 PM to 7:40 PM.
A summer-long art fundraiser benefiting WBRA, timed to the run-up to America's 250th — a low-key, culture-forward way to spend an evening if the beach music crowd isn't your scene.

Thursday, July 23

Party in Elmwood with The Band of Oz — Thursday, July 23, 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Elmwood Park Amphitheater, 505 Williamson Rd SE.
Carolina beach music's biggest name rolls into Elmwood with horns blaring and a setlist built for dancing — this is the kind of Thursday that makes the whole week feel like it was worth it. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, grab food and a drink on-site, and settle in; parking in the Elmwood lot and garage is free after 5 p.m. No outside food, drinks, or coolers allowed. Season passes are still available online.

Build & Brew — Tech, Startups & AI Networking — Big Lick Brewing Company, 409 Salem Ave SW.
Roanoke's founders, builders, and AI-curious crowd trade business cards over beer — arguably the best-value networking hour in town.

The Young Sinclairs, The Ar-Kaics, Films on Song — The Spot on Kirk, 22 Kirk Avenue SW.
A triple bill of local rock that'll make you forget it's a weeknight.

Salem RidgeYaks vs. Augusta Greenjackets: Murder Mystery Night — Salem Memorial Ballpark, 1004 Texas Street.
Whodunit meets who's-on-first — baseball with a plot twist.

Friday, July 24

Concerts by Canoe — Martha Spencer & the Wonderland Country Band — Twin Ridge Recreation Area, Philpott Lake.
Paddle up, tie off, and let old-time country drift across the water — about as Southwest Virginia as an evening gets.

Movies in the Park: Lilo & Stitch — Kiwanis Park, Salem.
Free family movie night under the stars, ohana-style.

Salem RidgeYaks vs. Augusta Greenjackets: Christmas in July — Salem Memorial Ballpark, 1004 Texas Street.
Tinsel in July because why not — the RidgeYaks never miss a chance for a theme night.

Saturday, July 25

Mingle at the Market w. Abby & Andy Neikirk & Gasoline Alley — Vinton Farmers Market, 204 W. Lee Avenue.
Fresh produce, local tunes, and the kind of Saturday morning that makes you glad you set an alarm.

Tennessee Whiskey & Bell Bottom Revival: Chris Stapleton & Lainey Wilson Tributes — Dr Pepper Park @ The Bridges, 9 Old Whitmore Avenue.
Two of country's biggest voices, tribute-band style, on a riverfront stage built for singalongs.

Christmas in July — Twisted Track Brewpub, 523 Shenandoah Ave NW.
Ugly sweaters optional, cold beer mandatory.

Illumination of the Bridge — Natural Bridge State Park (runs nightly through October 31).
The bridge lights up after dark all season — worth the drive down 81 at least once this summer.

Sunday, July 26

Lúnasa Gathering: First Harvest — Happy Hollow Gardens Park, 6697 Mt Chestnut Rd.
A Celtic harvest festival tucked into the mountains — small, seasonal, and a little bit magic.

Monday, July 27

Monday Night Jam at Blue Ridge Institute & Museum — Ferrum College, 20 Museum Drive.
Old-time and bluegrass pickers gather weekly — bring an instrument or just your ears.

Tuesday, July 28

Freehub Mountain Bike Film Festival — Grandin Theatre, 1310 Grandin Road SW.
Big-screen mountain bike stunts for a city that treats its trail system like a badge of honor.

The R.E.A.L. Funny Comedy Open Mic — The Spot on Kirk, 22 Kirk Avenue SW.
Local comics test new material — cheap laughs, occasionally at their own expense.

Wednesday, July 29

Summer Music Games of Southwest Virginia — Salem Stadium, 1002 Texas Street.
Regional bands compete for bragging rights on the same turf where the football team plays.

Hotel Roanoke Conference Center Commission Meeting — Wednesday, July 29, 1:00 PM, Hotel Roanoke Conference Center, Jefferson Board Room, 106 Shenandoah Ave.
The commission overseeing one of Roanoke's signature civic assets convenes for its monthly business — not flashy, but worth a look if you're tracking how the hotel and conference center's public-private partnership is being run. Open to the public, per the commission's standard practice.

Thursday, July 30

1982: A Culinary & Musical Experience — The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.
Dinner and a decade — a curated night pairing food with the sounds of '82.

Themed Flight Thursdays: Virginia! — Barrel Chest Wine & Beer, 2601 Franklin Road SW.
An all-Virginia pour lineup for readers who like to drink local and brag about it.

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