Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 12/7 to 12/14.

Lindsey Hull -
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. 16 — The Elf on the Shelf Adventure in Downtown Roanoke, presented by Downtown Roanoke, Inc. Sixteen elves are hidden in stores in downtown Roanoke. Find them all, turn in your adventure passport, and be entered to win $1000. Visit this link for more information, including full contest rules.
  • Through Dec. 25 — Land of Lights presented by Franklin County Parks and Recreation at Franklin County Recreation Park (2150 Sontag Rd., Rocky Mount, VA). Open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Drive the half mile loop and enjoy over 50,000 Christmas lights with your whole family.  For more information, visit this link.
  • Through Dec. 30 — Illuminights, Explore Park’s Winter Walk of Lights opens at Explore Park (56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd., Roanoke), open 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Nov. 25-27; with some adjusted hours Dec. 1 through Dec. 30. Closed Dec. 24 and 25. Half-mile wooded path has more than 600,000 lights. Santa visit, marshmallow roasting and more are part of the experience, depending on the day. For more information, visit this link. ($)
  • Through 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. 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 7

  • 7:30 to 9 a.m. — State of the County 2022 presented by Appalachian Power and the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce at Green Ridge Recreation Center (7415 Wood Haven Rd., Roanoke). Topics covered include education, innovation, and economic development projects around Roanoke County. Visit this link for more information. ($)
  • 5 to 6:30 p.m. — Networking: Holiday Happy Hour presented by the Roanoke Regional Professionals Network at The Liberty Trust  (101 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information.
  • 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. — Yoga at the Taubman Museum of Art. For more information, visit www.taubmanmuseum.org/calendar or contact info@taubmanmuseum.org or (540) 342-5760. ($)
  • 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. ($)
  • 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.

Thursday, December 8

  • 5 p.m. — Hardywood Christmas Beer Party at Town Center Tap House (90 Town Center Dr., Daleville). Grab your favorite, or grab a flight, and try 'em all! This is one event you don't want to miss. Be sure to put on your most over-the-top Holiday attire because the tap house will be rewarding a prize to the most festive, obnoxious, and maybe a little tacky, holiday get-up in the joint. Visit this link for more information.
  • 5:30 p.m. — Youth Athletics Review Board meeting in conference room 304 at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 6 p.m. — Bridging the Community Gap walk beginning at the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial (1st St. NW, Roanoke). The event will begin at the Martin Luther King Jr. bridge with caroling and a few words by distinguished guests. The crowd will then walk over the bridge and down to the city’s Christmas tree to close out the program with a community pledge, words by distinguished guests and a song. An ornament will be hung on the tree in remembrance of those lost in Roanoke to gun violence.
  • 6 to 9 p.m. — Tacky Christmas Sweater Murder Mystery at Chaos Brewing (3135 Dillons Mill Rd, Callaway). This is an adults-only event, and tickets are required. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: William Seymour at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. — Hometown Stories Storytelling Event at The Grandin Theatre (1402 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). Join WDBJ-7’s award-winning podcast team for an in-person recording. Visit this link for more information.
  • 7:30 p.m. — Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn” at Mill Mountain Theatre (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Celebrate the holiday season with this joyous musical featuring thrilling tap-dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a parade of hit Irving Berlin songs. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 7:30 p.m. — Opening Night: Southern Fried Yuletide Comedy “Christmas Belles” at Attic Productions (7490 Roanoke Rd., Fincastle). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Into These Wild Plains at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413  St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Friday, December 9

  • 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.
  • 4 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Charissa Joy at Well Hung Vineyard (402 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke).
  • 5 to 9 p.m. — Holiday Late Nights at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information.
  • 6 to 10 p.m. — Dickens of a Christmas presented by Downtown Roanoke, Inc. in Downtown Roanoke featuring the City of Roanoke Christmas Parade (The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and follows Jefferson to Campbell, ending at Williamson Rd.). For more information, visit this link.
  • 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: The Jared Stout Band at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 7 p.m. — A Holiday Concert for the Human Family with Kory and Keith Caudill + Marcus Finnie + Wordsmith at Christ Episcopal Church (1101 Franklin Rd. SW, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 7 p.m. — Holiday Brass at Cave Spring United Methodist Church (4505 Hazel Dr., Roanoke). Members of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra’s brass section will delight the audience with holiday music. Purchase tickets at this link. ($)
  • 7 p.m. — Alabama with Scotty McCreery at the Berglund Center coliseum (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 7:30 p.m. — Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn” at Mill Mountain Theatre (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Celebrate the holiday season with this joyous musical featuring thrilling tap-dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a parade of hit Irving Berlin songs. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 7:30 p.m. — Opening Night: Southern Fried Yuletide Comedy “Christmas Belles” at Attic Productions (7490 Roanoke Rd., Fincastle). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 7:30 p.m. — Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband” at Showtimers Theatre (2067 McVitty Rd., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Big Daddy Love with Captain Midnight Band at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. — Live music: Rachael Hester & The Tennessee Walkers at Olde Salem Brewing Co. (315 Market St., Roanoke).
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Sol Roots at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Saturday, December 10

  • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Salem Holiday Market at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). For more information, visit this link.
  • 11 a.m. — Downtown Roanoke food and cultural tour, starting at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Author Event: Saturday Signings with local authors featuring Betsy Ashton and Mindy Quigly at Book No Further (112 Market St. SE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information.
  • 1:30 p.m. — Live music: Hollomatt Music at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
  • 2 to 4 p.m. — Author Event: Saturday Signings with local authors featuring Melissa Gay and Mary Llewellyn McNeil at Book No Further (112 Market St. SE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information.
  • 2 and 7 p.m. — “The Nutcracker” presented by The Southwest Virginia Ballet at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). This magical performance has become a Roanoke Valley holiday tradition. SVB’s Nutcracker features original choreography by artistic director Pedro Szalay, and performances by company members of Southwest Virginia Ballet, chorus members of Botetourt Music Academy as well as a special guest “artist” from Angels of Assisi. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 2 and 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. ($)
  • 2:30 p.m. — Opening Night: Southern Fried Yuletide Comedy “Christmas Belles” at Attic Productions (7490 Roanoke Rd., Fincastle). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 4 to 5 p.m. — Buchanan Christmas Parade (19753 Main St., Buchanan). Find more information at this link.
  • 7 p.m. — Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir 36th Annual Holiday Concert, “Songs of the Season” at Church of the Holy Spirit (6011 Merriman Rd., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 7 p.m. (Gates open at 6) — Salem Red Sox movie night: Elf at the Salem Red Sox (1004 Texas St., Salem). Visit this link for more information.
  • 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Birmingham Bulls at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
  • 7:30 p.m. — Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband” at Showtimers Theatre (2067 McVitty Rd., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 8 p.m. — Live music: Patterson Hood (of Drive-by Truckers) at The Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 8 p.m. — Live music: Songwriters in the Round Christmas Special at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW., Roanoke). Purchase tickets at this link. ($)
  • 8 to 11 p.m. — Live music: Lenus Marcus Trio at 2 Chill Restaurant (312 2nd. St. SW, Roanoke).
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Cinémathèque at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Sunday, December 11

  • 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Live music: Lyndsay Bella at Well Hung Vineyard (402 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke).
  • 12:45 p.m. — Roanoke Sunday Drag Brunch at The Park (615 Salem Ave., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 1 to 5 p.m. — Holiday Open House at the Fishburn Mansion presented by Roanoke City Parks and Recreation (714 13th St. SW, Roanoke). Each room will be uniquely decorated and bring to life festive traditions. Find more information at this link.
  • 2 p.m. — Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn” at Mill Mountain Theatre (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Celebrate the holiday season with this joyous musical featuring thrilling tap-dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a parade of hit Irving Berlin songs. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 2 p.m. — Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband” at Showtimers Theatre (2067 McVitty Rd., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 2:30 p.m. — Opening Night: Southern Fried Yuletide Comedy “Christmas Belles” at Attic Productions (7490 Roanoke Rd., Fincastle). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 3 p.m. — “The Nutcracker” presented by The Southwest Virginia Ballet at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). This magical performance has become a Roanoke Valley holiday tradition. SVB’s Nutcracker features original choreography by artistic director Pedro Szalay, and performances by company members of Southwest Virginia Ballet, chorus members of Botetourt Music Academy as well as a special guest “artist” from Angels of Assisi. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 4 to 7 p.m. — Live music: Lenny Marcus & Friends at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
  • 5 p.m. Open Mic Coffey Jams at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 8 p.m. — Live music: Tab Benoit with Dirty Dozen Brass Band at The Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)

Monday, December 12

  • 1:30 p.m. — Roanoke City Planning Commission meeting at 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, December 13

  • 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — ConnectHER Conference presented by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce at Brandon Oaks (3804 Brandon Ave. SW, Roanoke). Featuring presentations by Lauren Carpenter, Becky Freemal, Renee Haltom, Deatria Muse, Verletta White, and Kimberly Whiter. New additions to this year's conference include instructor-led gentle chair yoga, plus a women's self-defense class. It will be a busy but rewarding day. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 6 p.m. — Fleet Feet Pub Run & Walk at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). Walk or run with the Fleet Feet family; 1, 3, and 5 mile routes are available, and participants can scale the distance or pace to their own needs. Check in at the Fleet Feet tent when you arrive. Visit this link for more details.
  • 6:30 p.m. — Roanoke City School Board meeting at William Fleming High School (3649 Ferncliff Ave. NW, Roanoke.
  • 7 p.m. — Handel’s Messiah presented by Chorus and Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Virtuosi at Parkway Church on the Mountain (3645 Orange Ave. NW, Roanoke). Find more information at this link. ($)
  • 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 14

  • 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. ($)
  • 5:30 p.m. — 2022 Ride Solutions Holiday Lights Tour starting at Cardinal Bicycle’s Grandin Village Location (1312 Winbourne St., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information.
  • 6 to 9 p.m. — Views and Brews presented by Roanoke Mountain Adventures, starting at 806 Wasena Ave., Roanoke. This guided e-bike tour will lead you on a cycling adventure along the Roanoke River Greenway and up Mill Mountain, and through two of Roanoke’s loveliest neighborhoods. You’ll have the opportunity to stop at breweries and local eateries during your three hour tour. Equipment rental is included in the ticket price. For more information and to book your tour, visit this link. ($)
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Phat Anchovies at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413  St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.