Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 12/27 to 1/3.

Lindsey Hull -
The Mill Mountain Star. 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.

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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

  • Friday, Dec. 29 through Sunday, Dec. 31 — Live music: 49 Winchester 3 Night Stand at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). 49 Winchester says goodby to 2023 by playing three shows in three nights, at 8 p.m. each evening. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 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 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. 

Thursday, December 28

  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Old Heavy Hands at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Friday, December 29

  • 4:30 to 7 p.m. — Networking: COBI Networking Circle presented by the Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce along with Circle of Botetourt Business Influence and the Ambassadors at the Town Center Taphouse (90 Town Center St., Daleville). Current and future members are welcome to attend. Find more information at this link.
  • 6 to 9 p.m. — Live music: Jordan Harman & Chris Blankenship at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke). 
  • 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Mercy Creek at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
  • 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Huntsville Havoc at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($) 
  • 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Live music: Zappa Experience with Shred is Dead at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 8 p.m. — Blackberry Smoke with special guests Robert Jon & The Wreck at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($) 
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Modern Groove Syndicate and Ripejive at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Saturday, December 30

  • 6 to 9 p.m. — Live music: The Duo at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke). 
  • 6 to 9 p.m. — All that Glitters New Year’s Eve Eve Bash featuring live music by Midnight Envy at Twisted Track Brewpub (523 Shenandoah Ave. NW, Roanoke). Find more information at this link.
  • 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Huntsville Havoc at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($) 
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Dark Moon Hollow at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)
  • 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 31 – New Year’s Eve 🥳

  • 4 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Party at Corned Beef & Co. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke).
  • 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. — The Met Gala New Year’s Eve Black & White Ball at The Park (615 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke), celebrating The Park’s 45 years in Southwest Virginia. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 7 p.m. — Live music: New Year’s Eve Party with Chance Carter and The Dundees at Sidewinders (16 W. Campbell Ave., Roanoke). Chance Carter will play on the first floor; The Dundees will play upstairs. Champagne toast at midnight. A breakfast buffet will be served at 12:30 a.m. This is a 21+ event. Purchase tickets in advance at this link. ($)
  • 7 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Gala presented by the Preceptor Omicron Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority at Hotel Roanoke (106 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Features a delicious dinner, live music from The Kings and The Uptown Trio, dancing, a balloon drop, and a champagne toast at midnight. Black tie optional. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Huntsville Havoc at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($) 
  • 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Live music: (Earth, Wind &) Fireside Collective New Year’s Eve Party ft. Caitlin Krisko at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 9 p.m. — New Year’s Eve at Golden Cactus (214 Fifth St., Roanoke). Features craft brews, free live music from the Megan Jean Duo, and endless celebration. FoodHutRke will be open until 11 p.m.
  • 9 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Party at Tajzmah’s Lounge (434 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Wild Night In: New Year’s Eve Pajama Party featuring live music by Murder Wagon at Olde Salem Brewing Co. (315 Market St., Roanoke). This is a 21+ event.
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Empty Bottles with special guest Star City Soul Club at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.  
  • 11:45 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Ringing of the Bells in Historic Fincastle (3 West Main St., Fincastle). Church bells chime in succession until midnight, when taps are played to signify respect for the dying of the past year. Bells then ring to welcome the new year. Find more information at this link.

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Monday, January 1 – New Year’s Day

(No public events)

Tuesday, January 2

  • 2 p.m. — Roanoke City Council Meeting, regular session in city council chambers at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 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: Appalachian Spacetrain at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 

Wednesday, January 3

  • 10 p.m. — Karaoke Night at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 

Ongoing Festive Events

  • 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.