Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 11/20 to 11/27.

We scoured 30 disparate community calendars (yes, 30) 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 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

• Saturday, 11/23 to Sunday, 11/24 — Opening weekend: Illuminights at Explore Park (56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd., Roanoke). Brighten your nights and explore your holiday spirit through a dazzling world of over 650,000 lights at Illuminights Winter Walk of Lights. Travel down our half-mile wooded path while taking in the sights and sounds of the season. Visitors will experience new displays, trail enhancements and family activities. Find more information at this link. ($)

Wednesday, November 20

• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Mercy Creek at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6 p.m. —  Roanoke Police Department Downtown Roanoke Residential Forum at The City Market Building (32 Market Square SE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information.
• 7 p.m. — Live music: Solacoustix at Montano’s International Gourmet (7813, 3733 Franklin Rd. SW, Roanoke). 
• 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Open Mic Night at Fork in the Market (32 Market Sq., Roanoke).
• 10 p.m. — Live music: The Band Paul with Cosmic Gorilla at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 

Thursday, November 21

• 5 to 6:30 p.m. — Lecture: Clinical Applications of Cancer Genetics with Dr. Luis Diaz Jr. at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC as part of the Maury Strauss Distinguished Public Lecture Series. Dr. Diaz, head of the Division of Solid Tumor Oncology at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, will discuss how understanding DNA can help diagnose and treat cancer. Find more information at this link.
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Seph Custer & the Flatbreaks at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 7 p.m. — Gaymer Night 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.
• 7 p.m.  — Live music: Caitlin Krisko & the Broadcast at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). New Album Release Show: Blueprints. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
• 7 to 9 p.m. — Line Dancing with Angela at Los Amigos Bar & Grill (3424 Orange Ave. NE, Roanoke). Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just looking to learn, Angela’s got the moves to get everyone out on the floor, so dust off your best western wear, round up your crew, and come on down for a boot-scootin’ good time.
• 8 p.m. — Stand-up: David Cross: The End of the Beginning of the End at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Late Night Stumblers at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 
• 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Late Night Karaoke with DJ Marshall (AKA ParMar) at Los Amigos Bar & Grill (3424 Orange Ave. NE, Roanoke). Grab that mic and sing your heart out.

Friday, November 22

• 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Mariee Siou with Donnie CoCo at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase tickets at this link. ($)
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: The Kind at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: The Eric Wayne Band at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Live music: The Wilson Springs Hotel with Mason Via at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 7:30 to 9 p.m. — Live music: Steve Clark and Friends with opener Banjo Bob at the 3rd Street Coffee House (305 Mountain Ave. SW, Roanoke). Pay-what-you-can. 
• 10 p.m. — Live music: The Local Honeys with Darrin Hacquardn at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. Purchase tickets here. ($) 

Saturday, November 23

• 8 a.m. — Star City Half Marathon & 10K starting at River’s Edge Sports Complex (304 Reserve Avenue SW., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to register. ($)
• 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — The 12th Annual Women’s Conference at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). This conference is dedicated to providing a venue for Virginia women of all ages to meet, network, hear from experts on a variety of important topics, and gather resources from federal, state, and local agencies. Find more information at this link.
• 10 a.m. — A celebration of the 75th anniversary of the lighting of the Roanoke Star. Brief remarks will be made by Mayor Lea and former Mayor Nelson Harris followed by star-themed crafts, photo opportunities, and limited giveaways. Held at the observation deck in front of the Mill Mountain Star. The Discovery Center is a backup location in case of inclement weather.
• 11 a.m. — Grandin Village Children's Parade in the Historic Grandin Village (1327 Grandin Rd., Roanoke). A decades-long tradition, the Children's Parade, always held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is a much anticipated event. You are also invited to join us for our after-party following the parade. During the parade, we will judge every group. At the after-party, we’ll present awards for best float, most creative, and biggest group. The after-party will gather in the lot behind the Cardinal Bicycle building, located at 1312 Winborne Street SW. 
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Paint a Starry Night with Leah Thompson at Art on 1st (300 1st St. SW, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to register.
• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Live music: Christian Q. at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd.)
• 4 to 8 p.m. — Holiday Night Market in Market Square (1 Market Sq.Roanoke). Find more information at this link.
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: The Mad Iguanas at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7) — Stand-up: The R.E.A.L. Funny: Latin Comedy Night at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information at this link. ($)
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Nicholas Payton: Nouveau Standards at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
• 10 p.m.  — Live music: Deep 6 — Pearl Jam Tribute at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information visit this link. ($)
• 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Vinyl & Vibes with the Star City Soul Club at Sidecar (411 1st St. SW, Roanoke). Find more information at this link.

Sunday, November 24

• 11 a.m. — Yoga with Blacie at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). ($)
• Noon to 2 p.m. — Cranksgiving at Golden Cactus Brewing (214 Fifth St., Roanoke). Show up on two wheels, and we’ll hand you a list of Thanksgiving food items to purchase for Feeding Southwest Virginia. You'll then ride to local grocery stores, buy whatever you'd like to donate, and carry it by bike back to the ride start/finish. Hang out afterward for some post-ride socializing and fun! Find more information at this link.
• Noon to 3 p.m. — The Queens Quest Drag Brunch presented by The House of Boleyn at Inka Peruvian Grille (14 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
• 1 to 4 p.m. — Live music: Christmas Benefit Show featuring The Kings, Cimmaron,  The Fire, and Phat Pocket 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 Star  (Prospect Rd. SE, Roanoke). Gather together outdoors with acoustic instruments in hand and celebrate music on the grassy area opposite the lower observation deck at Mill Mountain (see picture above). Originals or covers are fine. We have a range of people from touring pro’s to people who’ve never set foot on a stage, but like to play and sing. Everyone is welcome. Find more information at this link.
• 2 to 6 p.m. — Sweet Donkey Fall Makers’ Market at 2108 Broadway Ave., Roanoke. This is an outdoor event. The coffee shop will be open during this time. Find more information at this link.
• 5 to 7 p.m. — Dirt Church with Trek Roanoke at Carvins Cove – Bennett Springs (4300 Carvins Cove Road Salem). A fun-filled day of mountain biking at the cove; all levels welcome. Two rides will take place — one of around 15 miles and another of around 10. Pace will be for all riders and skill levels. Find more information at this link.
• 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Rachael Hester & the Tennessee Walkers at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 

Monday, November 25

• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 7 p.m. — Star City Secret Cinema presented by Justin Smith at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). What's the film? You won't know until you take your seat and the lights go down. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($) 

Tuesday, November 26

• 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Foster Burton at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7) — Stand-up: The R.E.A.L. Funny Comedy Show at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Open mic starts at 7:30, with performances to follow. No cover charge; tips & donations appreciated. Find more information at this link. 
• 7:30 p.m. — Mannheim Steamroller at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
• 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Karaoke Night at Fork in the Market (32 Market Sq., Roanoke).
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Christian Q & The Funky Truth at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 

Wednesday, November 27

• 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Macon Mayhem at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
• 8 p.m. — Friendsgiving at Corned Beef & Co. (107 S Jefferson St, Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.
• 10 p.m. — Live music: GAK! (90’s Covers) at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 

Ongoing

• Through December 8 — Johnny Floyd “Child Be Free” exhibit at Roanoke College’s Olin Hall Galleries, Upper Smoyer Gallery (240 High St., Salem). The exhibit explores our relationship with time and how we define ourselves within its bounds delving into questions of purpose and identity, often through the lens of recursion theory, where repetition leads to revelation. Includes experimentation with paper, sewing, and digital manipulation, to intertwine archival imagery with themes of ancestry and connection, drawing inspiration from The Center for Studying Structures of Race’s project on naming unnamed enslaved individuals who contributed to Roanoke College's history. Find more information at this link.
• Through December 8 — Sandy Williams IV “Freedom is Not a Metaphor” at Roanoke College’s Olin Hall Galleries, Olin Gallery (240 High St., Salem). The exhibition invites viewers to reconsider the construction and contestation of memory, intertwining family portraits with discussions on public space, while challenging conventional narratives and encouraging dialogue on agency and historical injustices. Williams prompts us to confront our shared consciousness and envision a more inclusive and just society built upon a deeper understanding of our history and identity. Find more information at this link.
• Through December 13 — Altered Art – Making Art Your Own at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (2 Riverside Cir., Roanoke). Local artists have joined with Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine students, faculty, and staff to present their visions of creativity with discarded art by altering existing pieces to tell new stories.The exhibition is up until Friday, Dec. 13. To arrange for a visit, contact Courtney Powell (cbrakes@vt.edu).
• Saturdays through December 28 — 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. Find more information and reserve your spot at this link. ($)
• Through the end of December — WNC Art Relief Project at Left of Center Art Space (24 Campbell Ave. SW, Roanoke). We're dedicating our gallery to western North Carolina artists displaced by Hurricane Helene, providing them a place to sell their work at no cost. This initiative runs through the end of December 2024, with all sales proceeds going directly to the artists. Find more information at this link.