Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 4/9 to 4/16.
We scoured 30 disparate community calendars (yes, 30) so you didn’t have to.

We scoured 30 disparate community calendars (yes, 30) so you didn’t have to. From live music to theatre, lectures to drag shows, we’ve got you covered. We 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!

This Weekend
- Thursday, April 10 through Sunday, April 13 — Down by Downtown Music Festival managed by the Roanoke Outside Foundation in various venues across Roanoke. The music festival features three days of live music at multiple venues. You might find a hip-hop show, an acoustic, or a rising country or independent music star all in the same night. Find the full line up here. Cover charges vary.
- Friday, April 11 through Saturday, April 12 — “Swan Lake Act II” and “Under the Tent” by Southwest Virginia Ballet at Mill Mountain Theatre’s Trinkle Main Stage (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). “Under the Tent” is an original ballet, choreographed by Artistic Director Pedro Szalay, based on an adaptation of “Water for Elephants.” Various times. ($)
- Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13 — “Closing Arguments” presented by Exit, Pursued by Bear Theatre (The Bear, for short) at Community High (302 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). Playwright and director David Walton describes his new work as “a family, a funeral and a lifetime of junk to sort through.” ($)
Wednesday, April 9
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Senior Fun & Health Fair Day at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). Geared toward Seniors 55 and over.
- 5 to 7 p.m. — Art at Perry Park (1101 Norfolk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Different activities for West End neighbors and friends every week.
- 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Sideshow Runaways at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- 6 to 8 p.m. — Easter Egg Hunt presented by the Salem Kiwanis Club at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem).
- 6:30 to 8 p.m. — Open Mic Night at Ursula’s Cafe (511 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Whether you're a poet, comedian, or singer, tonight's your chance to shine. Every voice matters.
- 6:30 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Evening with the Eagles — Franklin County High School Band fundraiser at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). ($)
- 7 to 9 p.m. — Reflections on Water: An Evening of Art, Music, and Science presented by SERCAP and Artvocate at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke).
- 10 p.m. — Reggae Night hosted by The Ambassador at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke).
Thursday, April 10
- 4 to 7 p.m. — Gaymer Night at Roanoke Diversity Center (425 Campbell Ave. SW., Roanoke). Hang out with other local young adults in the lounge, watch the latest music videos, play board games, chat and mingle. Bring your controllers and play your friends with our Nintendo Switch or Playstation, or start an RPG, card games and board games.
- 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. — Daisy Art Parade Sneak Peek presented by Carilion Clinic with members of the Daisy Art Parade Neighborhood Activation Team at Morningside Urban Farm (917 Morgan Ave. SE, Roanoke). Look at some of this year's giant parade puppets and learn how to make your own in time for the parade! Free and open to all ages. Under 18 with an adult.
- 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: GOTE at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- 6 p.m. (Doors open at 5) — Blippi: Join the Band Tour at the Berglund Center Performing Arts Theatre (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). ($)
- 6 p.m. (Doors open at 5) — Buzz Live Filming featuring VIA Center for Neurodevelopment with Michael Hemphill and Kianna Price Marshall at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke).
- 6 p.m. — Silent Book Club at the Salem Public Library (28 E. Main St., Salem). No assigned reading. No pressure.
- 6 to 9 p.m. — Live music: Solacoustix at Brady’s Distillery (711 Pocahontas Ave. NE, Roanoke).
- 7 to 8:30 p.m. — Mountain Memories: Charles Lytton’s Tales of Appalachia at the Salem Museum (802 E. Main St., Salem). All things Appalachia, from Lytton’s childhood in the Southwest Virginia mountains to the many unforgettable characters he met along the way.
- 8 p.m. — Live music: Ripe at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). ($)
- 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Fungkshui at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke).
Friday, April 11
- 1 to 2 p.m. — Art and Architecture Walking Tour: Both Sides of the Tracks led by Taubman Museum of Art Research Fellow and historian James Moser starting at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). ($)
- 3 to 5 p.m. — DJ Ruby Star at the Elmwood Park Amphitheatre (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke).
- 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Eric Wayne Band at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Jake Zeiglar at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
- 7 and 9 p.m. — Live music: Pat Bianchi Trio at the Jefferson Center’s Fostek Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). ($)
- 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Playoffs: Round One, Game Two at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). ($)
- 7:30 to 9 p.m. — Live music: Isabel and Eric with Ash Devine at the 3rd Street Coffee House (305 Mountain Ave. SW, Roanoke). Pay what you can. ($)
- 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Creedence Clearwater Recital at the Elmwood Park Amphitheatre (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Kick off the Down by Downtown with a night of classic rock.
- 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Stand-up: Latin Comedy Night presented by The R.E.A.L. Funny at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Performances by Danny Vee, Eulalio Magana and Tony Rodriguez. ($)
- 8 p.m. — Live music: Karaoke at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). ($)
- 8 p.m. — Live music: Of Good Nature at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). ($)
- 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Wim Tapley & The Cannons at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase advance tickets here. ($)
Saturday, April 12
- 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Blue Ridge Marathon starting and ending at Elmwood Park Amphitheater (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Find road closures here. Register to race, free to cheer!
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Salem Spring Holiday Market at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem).
- 10 to 11 a.m. — N&W Architectural History Walking Tour starting at the O. Winston Link museum (101 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Rain or shine. ($)
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Eggscellent Adventure at the Virginia Museum of Transportation (303 Norfolk Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. — “The Only Girl in the Orchestra” Film Screening and RSO Performance at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). Recognized as the Best Documentary Short Film at this year’s Academy Awards. Register to reserve a seat.
- 11 a.m. — Meet & Greet with Author Diane Fanning at Book No Further (112 Market St. SE, Roanoke). Novelist and true crime author Diane Fanning’s new book, “Lizzie,” is a fictional retelling of the notorious Lizzie Borden.
- Noon to 3:30 p.m. — DJ Ruby Star at the Elmwood Park Amphitheater (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke).
- Noon to 6 p.m. — Marathon After-Party featuring live music from Shorefire and The Eric Wayne Band at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke). Yoga with Uttara Yoga Studio starts at Noon. Drink specials for runners with race bibs.
- 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Live music: Jeremy Duvall and Dave Corbitt at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- 2 p.m. — Afro Everything Block Party to support The Humble Hustle Company at Century Plaza (12 Church Ave. SE, Roanoke). The ultimate fusion of Afro sounds, dance, and culture. ($)
- 3 p.m. — Tea Party at Our Daily Bread Bistro Downtown (1003 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Come dressed to impress in your favorite floral dress and enjoy tea time at Our Daily Bread. - A perfect outing for mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. Reservations required. ($)
- 3:30 p.m. — Live music: Empty Bottles at the Elmwood Park Amphitheater (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke).
- 5:30 p.m. — Live music: Caitlyn Krisko & The Broadcast at the Elmwood Park Amphitheater (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke).
- 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Mad Iguanas at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Sasha Landon at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
- 7 p.m. — Live music: Lenny Marcus Trio at Montano’s International Gourmet (7813, 3733 Franklin Rd. SW, Roanoke).
- 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Playoffs: Round One, Game Three at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). ($)
- 7:30 p.m. — Live music: The Hip Abduction at the Elmwood Park Amphitheater (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). ($)
- 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. — Live music: Terry Brown & Brian Mesko at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke).
- 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Golden Fest: A Benefit for Justin Goldman with The Crooked Creek Misfits & Jacob Ritter at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
- 8 p.m. — Live music: Garrett Hicks at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). ($)
- 10 p.m. — Live music: Bring Out Yer Dead at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase advance tickets here. ($)
Sunday, April 13
- 9 a.m. — SlowK: America’s Slowest 5K starting at Black Dog Salvage (902 13th St. SW, Roanoke). Leisurely 5k walk on the greenway. A great way to loosen up after the Blue Ridge Marathon. ($)
- 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. — Flashback to the 80s Drag Brunch at Well Hung Vineyard (402 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). ($)
- 11 a.m. — Live music: Yoga at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- Noon — Lick Run Grown-Up Easter Egg Hunt at 1626 10th St. NW, Roanoke. Pre-sale tickets available now. ($)
- Noon to 3 p.m. — Live music: The Catawba Cryptids at Golden Cactus Brewing (214 Fifth St., Roanoke).
- 1 to 4 p.m. — Live music: Jake Retting at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- 3 to 7 p.m. — Live music: Caitlyn Krisko & The Broadcast: acoustic set at Black Dog Salvage (902 13th St. SW, Roanoke).
- 4 to 7 p.m. — Live music: Virginia Electric at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
- 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Troublesome Blues Band at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
- 5 to 8 p.m. — A Murder Most Ghostly presented by Jump Into Murder at One Love Coffee House (40 Summers Way, Roanoke). Play a character, solve clues, and interrogate all of the suspects. Everyone will get their character role at this adults-only murder mystery event, so be sure to arrive by 4:45. ($)
Monday, April 14
- 5 to 6 p.m. — Daisy Art Parade workshop at the Melrose Branch Library (2502 Melrose Ave NW Suite D). Join various artists in creating puppets and artwork for the upcoming Daisy Art Parade; every Monday in the STEAM Lab.
- 6:15 to 7:15 — Verses in Bloom: Youth Poet Laureate workshop at the Melrose Library (2502 Melrose Ave NW Suite D). This workshop is intended to help prepare young poets who are interested in becoming the 2025-2026 Roanoke Youth Poet Laureate. Led by current Youth Poet Laureate Elani Spencer, the workshop will feature information about the application process, writing time, and a peer share.
- 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
- 6:30 p.m. — N3* Book Club at Book No Further (112 Market St. SE, Roanoke). This month’s selection is “Radium Girls.”
- 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. — PedalSafe ROA public meeting at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
- 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. — Manic Monday Karaoke at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke).
- 7 p.m. — Star City Secret Cinema presented by Justin Smith at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). What's the film? You won't know until you take your seat and the lights go down. ($)
- 7:30 p.m. — The Magnetic Fields (Night One) at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). ($)
Tuesday, April 15
- 4:05 p.m. — Salem Red Sox vs. Lynchburg Hillcats at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). ($)
- 7:30 p.m. — The Magnetic Fields (Night Two) at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). ($)
- 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Christian Q. & Co. at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke).
Wednesday, April 16
- 11:05 p.m. — Salem Red Sox vs. Lynchburg Hillcats at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). ($)
- 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. — Networking: Beer & Biotech presented by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Innovation Alliance at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke).
- 5 to 7 p.m. — Art at Perry Park (1101 Norfolk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Different activities for West End neighbors and friends every week.
- 6 to p.m. — Silent Book Club at Stave & Cork (115 E. Main St., Salem). No assigned reading. No pressure.
- 6:30 to 8 p.m. — Open Mic Night at Ursula’s Cafe (511 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Whether you're a poet, comedian, or singer, tonight's your chance to shine. Every voice matters.
- 7 p.m. — Live music: Tim Martin and Brian Wheeling at Brambleton Deli (3655 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke).
- 7:30 p.m. — Virginia Tech Wind Ensemble with the Bassett High School Band at the Jefferson Center (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke).
- 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7) — Live music: Kenmuju, Gaol, Dogscream, Excerow at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
- 8 p.m. — Live music: The Dip at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). ($)
- 8 p.m. — Live music: Russell Dickerson at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). ($)
- 8 p.m. — Live music: SunSquabi at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). ($)
- 10 p.m. — Live music: New Age Phonograph hosted by The Ambassador at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke).
Looking ahead
- April 18, 7:30 p.m.. — Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Pops: The Music of Billy Joel at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). The Music of Billy Joel features some of the most iconic melodies ever recorded, including Only the Good Die Young, She’s Always a Woman, We Didn’t Start the Fire, Uptown Girl and more.
- April 25 through 26 — Sounds of the Mountains Storytelling Festival at Camp Bethel (328 Bethel Rd., Fincastle). Featuring Megan Wells, Donna Washington, Michael Reno Harrell and Donald Davis. ($)
- April 25 through 27 — Roanoke Pride Weekend presented by Roanoke Pride.
- April 26, 6 pm. — Shine a Light: SARA Benefit at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Proceeds from this event will support SARA’s FREE services to survivors of sexual violence in Roanoke, Salem, Botetourt, Franklin, and Craig. ($)
Ongoing
- Through April 13 — “Dream, America” with Arden Cone at the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum at Hollins University (8009 Fishburn Dr., Roanoke). This exhibition confronts the polarization felt throughout today’s American political system. Where groups are excluded from a national narrative, this exhibition seeks to include them and validate their perspectives.
- Through April 13 — “Closing Arguments” presented by Exit, Pursued by Bear Theatre (The Bear, for short) at Community High (302 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). Bedford County playwright and director (and pastor) David Walton describes his new work as “a family, a funeral and a lifetime of junk to sort through.” We all know what happens when a family fraught with simmering feuds get together for weddings or funerals – sometimes they begin to boil, and they do in this “dramedy,” with lots of laughs – and a few tears. ($)
- Through April 19 — “Artists and Mentor” a group exhibition featuring national and international artists at Art on 1st (300 1st St. SW, Roanoke). This exhibition features the work of twenty artists from Japan, Spain, England, and across the United States who have studied under celebrated artist, teacher, and mentor Erin Raedeke.
- Through May 2 — 2025 Studio Art Exhibition at Roanoke College’s Olin Hall Galleries (240 High St., Salem). Exhibited works are from Roanoke College Art Majors and Minors.
- Saturdays through December 27 — Downtown Roanoke Food & Cultural Tour starting at 11:15 a.m. from Hotel Roanoke (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). A walking tour that connects Roanoke's local food scene with the city's colorful history. Visit six food-tasting locations within the historic and vibrant downtown historic district. Delicious samplings, enough for a hearty meal for most, are served from locally-owned eateries at iconic historic locations. ($)
- Every Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — VA Works Assistance presented by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement in Meeting Rooms B and C at the Roanoke City Main Library (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Do you need help with your job search? Looking for temporary income support or transition and training services? Visit the workforce experts at their satellite desks at the Main Library in downtown Roanoke.