Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 12/29/21 to 1/5/22.

Roanoke Rambler -
The Mill Mountain Star as seen in the evening on Christmas Day 2020. PHOTO BY HENRI GENDREAU FOR THE ROANOKE RAMBLER

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. Want to see different formatting/information? Let us know! This weekly listing is accessible to non-subscribers. 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. 30 — Illuminights, Explore Park’s Winter Walk of Lights opens at Explore Park (56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd., Roanoke), open daily 5 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 23, afterward open until 9 p.m. 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. ($)
  • Through Jan. 1 — Fashions for Evergreens, a display of a dozen decorated trees, at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave. NE, Roanoke). Public voting on best displays will raise money for United Way of Roanoke Valley. For more information, visit https://www.uwrv.org/fashions.
  • Through Jan. 30 — Elmwood on Ice presented by WDBJ7 at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Closed Christmas Day. For more information and exceptions to hours below, visit this link. ($) 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 4 to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. Sunday

Wednesday, Dec. 29

  • 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 First St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Thursday, Dec. 30

  • 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Thursday Night Special Mountain Bike Rides. Meet at Roanoke Mountain Adventures (806 Wasena Ave. SW, Roanoke) to embark on a ride up to the Mill Mountain Star and back to RMA for BYOB post-ride refreshments. For more information, visit this link.
  • 7 p.m. — Country Club Night at Sidewinders Steakhouse and Saloon (16 W. Campbell Ave., Roanoke). More information at www.sidewindersaloon.com.
  • 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. ($)
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Grass Monkey reunion show at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 First St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Friday, Dec. 31

  • 3 p.m. to 2 a .m., Jan. 1 — New Year’s Eve Party at Hammer & Forge Brewing Co. (70 Main St., Boones Mill). Live music starting at 9 p.m. For more information, visit this link.
  • 6 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance at the Floyd Country Store (206 S. Locust St., Floyd). Featuring Twin Creeks Stringband and The New Macedon Rangers. Tickets and information can be found at this link. ($)
  • 6 to 9 p.m. — New Year’s Dinner Celebration at The Hotel Roanoke (106 Shenandoah Ave. NE, Roanoke). Dinner and dancing at The Regency Room featuring four-course meal. For reservations and more information, visit this link. ($)
  • 6:05 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. ($)
  • 7 p.m. — Preceptor Omicron's 42nd-annual New Years Eve Gala Celebration at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (106 Shenandoah Ave. NE, Roanoke) The local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, Preceptor Omicron was founded in 1975. Since 1980, the annual New Year's Eve Gala has been the chapter's main source of funding for all charitable donations. Ticket price includes buffet dinner for two, live music by The Kings & Triple Play, champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. Tickets and more information at http://newyearsevegala.org/. ($)
  • 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., Jan. 1 — New Year’s Eve Gala at The Grand at 290 (290 S. Main St., Rocky Mount). Presented by Willard Insurance Agency, benefiting Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center. For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
  • 7:30 p.m. — Celebrate the dawn of a new year with American metal band The Dead Reckoning at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW, Roanoke), featuring friends and champagne. For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
  • 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Jan. 1 — 9th annual ValleyStar Credit Union Big Lick Downtown Countdown, New Year’s Eve celebration at 1 Market Square, Roanoke. Featuring live bands The Low Low Chariot, The Jared Stout Band, Harvest Blaque, DJ Flex and Jo Jo Stockton and Soulacoustix, with gaming, cocktails, craft beer, food and fun. Benefiting Center in the Square. For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
  • 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., Jan. 1 — Gatsby New Year’s Eve Bash at The Park Dance Club (615 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke) hosted by K92’s Miss Monica of Morning’ Thang, with Jason Elliot and Miss Enya Salad. For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: The Ambassador, New Year’s Eve Show, at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 First St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Saturday, Jan. 1

  • 7 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — New Year’s Day Breakfast and Brunch at The Hotel Roanoke (106 Shenandoah Ave. NE, Roanoke). For reservations and more information, visit this link. ($)
  • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — New Year's Day Recovery Brunch at Martin's Downtown Bar and Grill (413 First St., Roanoke). For reservations, visit https://www.martinsdowntown.com/. ($)

Sunday, Jan. 2

  • 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Live music: McFadden & Friends at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). For more information, visit this link.

Monday, Jan. 3

  • 2 p.m. — Roanoke City Council regular agenda meeting at City Council chambers in the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke)
  • 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, Jan. 4

  • 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.
  • 6 p.m. — Line Dance Night at Sidewinders Steakhouse and Saloon (16 W. Campbell Ave., Roanoke). More information at www.sidewindersaloon.com.
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Seph Custer and The Flatbreaks at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 First St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Wednesday, Jan. 5

  • 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 ($)

Correction (1/3/22) — Roanoke City Council did not hold an evening meeting on Monday, Jan. 3. The post has been corrected and updated.