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. 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 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. ($)
• Through Dec. 31 — 3rd Annual Drive-Through Festival of Lights at Hermitage Roanoke (1009 Old Country Club Rd., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information.
• Through Dec. 31 — Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Trail in Rocky Mount, VA. Businesses have decorated snowmen and placed them around the downtown area. Visit this link for more information.
• Through Jan. 1 — 3rd Annual First Bank Tinsel Trail in Historic Fincastle’s Courthouse area (3 W. Main St., Fincastle). Experience the magic of beautifully decorated trees. Visit this link for more information.
• Through Jan. 1 — Fashions for Evergreens presented by the United Way of Roanoke Valley and the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Features more than 25 trees throughout the property, the event’s public vote raises money for the United Way of Roanoke Valley. For more information, visit this link.
• Through Jan. 1 — Buchanan’s Festival of Trees (19795 Main St., Buchanan). Trees and handcrafted ornaments line storefront windows. Visit this link for more information.
• Through Jan. 1 — Buchanan’s Festival of Lights (485 Lowe St., Buchanan). Walk-through light display. Visit this link for more information. ($)
• 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. 6 — Bedford Festival of Trees at the Bedford Welcome Center (816 Burks Hill Rd., Bedford). Visit this link for more information.
• 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 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. ($)
• 6 to 9 p.m. — Views and Brews presented by Roanoke Mountain Adventures, starting at 806 Wasena Ave., Roanoke. This guided e-bike tour will lead you on a cycling adventure along the Roanoke River Greenway and up Mill Mountain, and through two of Roanoke’s loveliest neighborhoods. You’ll have the opportunity to stop at breweries and local eateries during your three hour tour. Equipment rental is included in the ticket price. For more information and to book your tour, visit this link. ($)
• 7:30 p.m. — (Venue has had covid-related cancellations, so check directly with theatre): 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. ($)
• 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.

Thursday, December 22

• 2 to 5 p.m. — Public Ice Skating at Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 7:30 p.m. — (Venue has had covid-related cancellations, so check directly with theatre): Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn” at Mill Mountain Theatre (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Celebrate the holiday season with this joyous musical featuring thrilling tap-dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a parade of hit Irving Berlin songs. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Gak! 90s Tribute and Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413  St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Friday, December 23

• 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.
• 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Deck the Hops and Drink our Barley Party at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke) with live music by Chad Nickell & The Loose Change. Wear your ugliest sweater to this holiday party. Visit this link for more information.
• 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Fayetteville Marksmen at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
• 7:30 p.m. — Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn” at Mill Mountain Theatre (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Celebrate the holiday season with this joyous musical featuring thrilling tap-dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a parade of hit Irving Berlin songs. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Solacoustix at Rosie’s Gaming Emporium (1135 Vinyard Rd., Vinton).
• 10 p.m. — Diamond Lips Karaoke with music by DJ Hootie Mack at Xtr3me Bar and Grill (6419 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 10 p.m. — Live music: Eric Wayne Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Saturday, December 24 and Sunday, December 25 — Happy Christmas weekend!

Monday, December 26

• 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.

Tuesday, December 27

• 1 to 5 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: GOTE at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413  St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Wednesday, December 28

• 1 to 4 p.m. — Public Ice Skating at Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. — Yoga at the Taubman Museum of Art. For more information, visit www.taubmanmuseum.org/calendar or contact info@taubmanmuseum.org or (540) 342-5760. ($)
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Ben Trout Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413  St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Looking Ahead: Happy New Year!

Saturday, December 31

• 5 to 10 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Dinner at The River and Rail (2201 Crystal Spring Ave., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information. ($)
• 5:30 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Dinner at bloom restaurant & bar (1109 Main St. SW, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information. ($)
• 6 to 9 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Dinner Celebration at The Hotel Roanoke’s Regency Room (110 Shenandoah Ave. NW, Roanoke). Features an elegant dinner with dancing. Visit this link for more information. ($)
• 6:05 p.m. — — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs New Year’s Eve vs. Huntsville Havoc at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
• 7 p.m. — Preceptor Omicron’s New Year’s Eve Gala Celebration in The Hotel Roanoke’s Roanoke and Crystal Ballrooms (110 Shenandoah Ave. NW, Roanoke). Featuring live music from The Kings and The Uptown Trio, champagne toast, and balloon drop. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 7 p.m. — Adult Prom Night New Year’s Eve at Twisted Track Brewpub (523 Shenandoah Ave. NW, Roanoke) with live music by The Grand Total and DJ Jack Carter. Prom attire is encouraged but not required. Find more information at this link.
• 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. — 2022 New Year’s Eve Party with The Worx Band at Sinkland Farms (3060 Riner Rd., Christiansburg). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 8 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Sexbruise? New Year’s Eve Party at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
• 8 p.m to Midnight — ValleyStar Big Lick Downtown Countdown in Downtown Roanoke. Featuring live music the Low Low Chariot, Vinyl Nation and Macklyn on the Market Square Plaza outdoor stage, DJ Party at the Roanoke City Market Building, gaming at Roanoke STARCADE - Video Game Museum and Roanoke Pinball Museum and the VIP Rooftop Experience at Center in the Square's 6th & 7th floors. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — I Wanna See All my Friends at Once NYE at Golden Cactus Brewing (214 5th St. SW, Roanoke) with live music by Electric Pickle Co. and DJ Tomas C. and DJ Boomerang, and a midnight giant disco ball balloon drop. This event will sell out, so purchase your tickets early. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 11:45 p.m. — Town of Fincastle Ringing of the Bells (3 W. Main St., Fincastle). This New Year’s Eve ceremony has been occurring for 150 years. Each local church rings its bells in succession, followed by taps and a ringing of the Courthouse bells. Visit this link for more information.