Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 12/20 to 12/27.

Lindsey Hull -
Crowds observe a pet costume contest at Roanoke's Dickens of a Christmas festival downtown on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. PHOTO BY HENRI GENDREAU FOR THE ROANOKE RAMBLER. Want to see your photo in our Happenings events calendar? Send us your best recognizably-Roanoke shots to editor@roanokerambler.com.

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.

💡
Want to know about regular weekly events, including bar trivia, bingo and yoga? Check out our new recurring Happenings calendar!

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 the end of December — A Sense of Place, the Grid Art Show at The Market Gallery (22 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke).  Over 250 6” x 9” panels from artists of all ages and levels from the local and surrounding communities participated to convey their Sense of Place in a visual creation. For more information, visit this link. 

Wednesday, December 20

  • 5 to 8 p.m. — Holiday Market at Golden Cactus Brewing (214 5th St., Roanoke). Get some last minute gift shopping done all at the same time from over a dozen local makers and vendors. Find more information at this link.
  • 7:30 p.m. — Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($) 
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: The Big Whoop at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 

Thursday, December 21

  • 6 p.m. — Winter Solstice Candlelight Sound Bath presented by Greg Burns of Metta Vibrations at Glow Healing Arts (1936 W. Main St., Salem). Find more information and register at this link. ($)
  • 6:30 to 9 p.m. — Malinda’s Have a Merry Merengue Dance Party presented by Kaleidoscope Dance at Ursula’s Cafe (511 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Allies to the LGBTQ+ community are welcome. Find more information at this link. 
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Cleophus James at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Friday, December 22

  • 5 to 10 p.m. — Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
  • 6 to 9 p.m. — Live music: Corey Hunley & Matt Powell at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke). 
  • 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Conley Ray & the Joneses at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
  • 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Live music: Isaac Hadden Family Christmas Jam at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 8 to 11 p.m. — Fiesta Fridays Social at Inka Grille (611 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). The evening starts with a dance lesson, with a dance party after. Find more information at this link. ($)
  • 8 to 11 p.m. — Midnight Blue at Rosie’s Gaming Emporium (1135 Vineyard Rd., Vinton). This is a 21+ show. 
  • 9 p.m. — Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at 202 Social House (202 Market Sq., Roanoke). Get decked out in your ugliest sweater to win a special surprise and enter to win first, second or third place gift prizes by bringing in donations such as canned food or toys - winners drawn at midnight. Find more information at this link.
  • 9 p.m. to 2 p.m. — Karaoke & Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at Corned Beef & Co. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). 
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Seedpicker at The Coffee Pot Roadhouse (2902 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke).  
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Jared Stout Band (Ugly Christmas Sweater Party) at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)
  • 10 p.m. — Holiday Classics: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at The Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)

Don't miss out on what's happening!

Get our weekly Happenings calendar to your inbox by signing up for our FREE weekly newsletter

Great! Check your inbox and click the link.
Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again.

Or become a member for full access

Saturday, December 23

  • 10 a.m. — Holiday Classics: It’s a Wonderful Life at The Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • Noon to 12:45 p.m. — Yuletide Sing-along with Ukestra, the adult ukulele orchestra, at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Festivus Party at Twin Creeks Brewing Co. (111 S. Pollard St., Vinton). Air your grievances and test your strength with stein holding.Star City Mobile DJ will spin all the best 80s and 90s Christmas music and karaoke.
  • 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Fayetteville Marksmen at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($) 
  • 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Live music: Crawford & Power at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. — Ugly Sweater Party at Awful Arthur’s (108 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). Featuring music from Reverend Carbine from 9 to 10 p.m. and Gak from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Find more information at this link.
  • 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Naughty & Nice Party at Corned Beef & Co. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Pick a side and dress to the theme.
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Half Moon Christmas Jam at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)
  • 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, December 24

  • 6 to 11 p.m. — Buchanan Christmas Eve Luminaries in downtown Buchanan (19753 Main St., Buchanan). The downtown area will be lit up with luminaries throughout the evening. Started after the flood of 1985 in appreciation of the love which was shown to the town by people who sent jugs of water to the town while the town's water system was down. Volunteers started this spectacular luminary display to say "thank you," and repeat this incredible display each Christmas Eve. 

Monday, December 25 — Merry Christmas! 🎄

(No public events)

Tuesday, December 26

  • 8:30 p.m. to midnight — Line Dancing at Sidewinders Saloon – College Night (16 W. Campbell Ave., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information. 
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: JSB Variety Show at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 

Wednesday, December 27

  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Ben Trout Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 

Ongoing Festive Events

  • Now through Dec. 23 — Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Blue Ridge PBS (1215 McNeil Dr., Roanoke). This free drive-thru lights display includes interaction with Santa, Mrs. Claus, Pip, Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Roanoke Grinch. Find more information at this link, including dates and times of character appearances. 
  • Now through Dec. 23 — “Elf the Musical” at Mill Mountain Theatre (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • Now through Dec. 23 — O’ Holy Bright Drive Thru Christmas Lights at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (19 Cedar Ridge Drive, Daleville). Fridays and Saturdays in December and Christmas Eve from 5:30 to 9PM. Donations accepted. 
  • Now through Dec. 25 — Land of Lights at Franklin County Recreation Park (2150 Sontag Rd., Rocky Mount). Find more information at this link.
  • Now through Dec. 30 — Illuminights at Explore Park (56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd., Roanoke). Visit this link for opening times and to purchase tickets. ($) 
  • Now through December 31 — Deck the Rails at the Virginia Museum of Transportation (303 Norfolk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Enjoy Christmas Trees decorated by area businesses to celebrate the season. Find more information at this link. ($)
  • Now through Jan. 1 — 4th Annual Botetourt Chamber Tinsel Trail in downtown Fincastle (23 South Roanoke St., Fincastle). Step back in time and walk the Tinsel Trail to view the beauty of the trees highlighting the evening in this historic setting. For more information, visit this link.
  • Now through Jan. 1 — Fashions for Evergreens presented by United Way of the Roanoke Valley at The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Find more information at this link. 
  • Now through Jan. 1 — Buchanan Festival of Trees at Buchanan’s Main Street Library (19795 Main Street, Buchanan). Find more information at this link.
  • Now through Jan. 1 — Buchanan’s Festival of Lights at Buchanan Town Park (485 Lowe St., Buchanan). Walk through the park from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. each night. Bring your cameras for selfies in the lights or photos with Santa. There will be smores for the kids as well as hot chocolate.
  • Now through Jan. 5 — Bedford Festival of Trees at the Bedford Welcome Center (816 Burks Hill Rd., Bedford). This year’s theme is “Oh Christmas Tree.” Find more information at this link
  • Now through Jan. 7 — Barbie at the Museum at the Botetourt County Historical Society (26 E. Main St., Fincastle). To coincide with Botetourt County’s Tinsel Trail, the museum will display a collection of Holiday Barbies from the 1960s through the 2000s. Find more information at this link.
  • Now through Jan. 27 — The Christmas Train at the Salem Museum (801 E. Main St., Salem). This year, the display has expanded to three tracks, including a new, tiny N-scale train. Find more information at this link.