Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 12/28 to 1/4.

Lindsey Hull -
Illuminights, Explore Park’s Winter Walk of Lights, in 2022. PHOTO BY LINDSEY HULL. Want to see your photo in our Happenings events calendar? Send us your best recognizably-Roanoke shots to editor@roanokerambler.com.

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. This weekly listing is accessible to non-subscribers. 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 Friday, 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. ($)
  • Through Saturday, Dec. 31 — 3rd Annual Drive-Through Festival of Lights at Hermitage Roanoke (1009 Old Country Club Rd., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information.
  • Through Sunday, Jan. 1 — Fashions for Evergreens presented by the United Way of Roanoke Valley and the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Features more than 25 trees throughout the property, the event’s public vote raises money for the United Way of Roanoke Valley. For more information, visit this link.
  • Through Monday, Jan. 2 — Parade of Christmas Trees at the Vinton War Memorial (814 E. Washington Ave., Vinton). Trees are donated and decorated by Vinton businesses. For more information, visit this link.
  • Through Jan. 29 — Elmwood on Ice, presented by WDBJ (Channel 7) comes to Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Find hours and ticket information at this link. ($)

Wednesday, December 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. ($)
  • 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. — Yoga at the Taubman Museum of Art. For more information, visit www.taubmanmuseum.org/calendar or contact info@taubmanmuseum.org or (540) 342-5760. ($)
  • 7 p.m. — Live music: Eric Wayne Band– EWB Acoustic at Brambleton Deli (3655 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke).
  • 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 29

  • 7 to 10 p.m. — R&B Karaoke at 2 Chill Restaurant (312 2nd St. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Quad City Storm at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
  • 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Circles Around the Sun w. Kolumbo at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 9 p.m. — Live music: Junkyard Band at Tajzmah’s Lounge (434 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Gak! 90s Tribute and Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413  St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Friday, December 30

  • 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.
  • 7 p.m. — Salem Mayhem Opening Night: Salem Mayhem vs. Hampton Hammerheads at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets for this professional box lacrosse event. ($)
  • 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Quad City Storm at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
  • 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Isaac Hadden Organ Trio w. Rebeka Todd at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Eric Wayne Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Saturday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve)

  • 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. ($)
  • 7 p.m. — Masquerade New Year’s Eve Bash at The Park Dance Club (615 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 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. ($)
  • 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Huntsville Havoc at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
  • 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. ($)
  • 10 p.m. — Awful Arthur’s Downtown Countdown (108 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke).
  • 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.

Sunday, January 1 (New Year’s Day)

  • 3 to 5 p.m. — First Draft: A Generative Writing Workshop and Community Potluck presented by War on Books and Ursula’s Cafe at Ursula’s Cafe (511 Jefferson St., Roanoke). Everyone is welcome. Take food, something to write with, or just yourself. Find more information and reserve your spot at this link.

Monday, January 2

  • 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, January 3

  • 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, January 4

  • 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.