Smith Mountain Lake Events and Live Music in May (2025)
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Welcome to the ultimate guide for Smith Mountain Lake events in May!
Whether you’re in search of lively festivals, thrilling concerts or local live music, we’ve got you covered. Discover the top things to do at Smith Mountain Lake this weekend and throughout the month of May.
Please note, this post is updated throughout the year as events are finalized so please check back often or sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to hear about everything going on at SML!
May’s Best Bets
Submit an event: [email protected]
May 1, 2025
Trivia Night: At Beale’s Brewery. 7-9 p.m.
Karaoke: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Texas Hold ‘em Poker: Enjoy two games of poker (6 p.m. and 8 p.m.) in this fun-filled weekly Poker League at Hot Shots Bar & Grill.
May 2, 2025
Seussical the Musical: Based on the works of Dr. Seuss, presented by Liberty High School Performing Arts. 7-9 p.m.
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. Noon.
SupaFly Five: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
May 3, 2025
SML Triathlon: Test your endurance while swimming, cycling, and running through one of Virginia’s most beautiful state parks. 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m. at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake Cleanup Day: Annual initiative to keep SML clean, safe and healthy. Volunteers events are scheduled at various locations around the lake. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Spring Market & Pottery Outlet Sale: Come out and enjoy a fun-filled day of shopping, delicious food, and local vendors at Emerson Creek Pottery. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Riding for Tyler Fundraiser: Join Hot Shots Bar & Grill for a day full of fun, laughter, and unforgettable memories, all for a great cause. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 6 p.m.
Grease Fire: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
A Salute to Cinco de Mayo: Celebrate the colorful sights and sounds of Mexico with A Salute to Cinco de Mayo at The Coves. 7 p.m.
Karaoke: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
May 4, 2025
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 1 p.m.
Art on Tap: At Beale’s Brewery. 2-4 p.m.
Marie Anderson: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 2 p.m.
May 6, 2025
Cornhole with Mike: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30 p.m.
May 7, 2025
Music Bingo: At Beale’s Brewery. 7-9 p.m.
Open Mic Competition: Week 1 of the Hook, Lines and Singers Songwriters Festival Open Mic Competition at Mango’s Bar & Grill to benefit local children’s charities. Registration at 6:30 p.m. (come with at least four songs and your instrument if you plan to perform). Competition begins at 7 p.m.
Michael Wayne Dill: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
May 8, 2025
Texas Hold ‘em Poker: Enjoy two games of poker (6 p.m. and 8 p.m.) in this fun-filled weekly Poker League at Hot Shots Bar & Grill.
Karaoke: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Beale’s Brewery. 7-9 p.m.
Journeyman : A Tribute to Eric Clapton: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
May 9, 2025
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. Noon and 6 p.m.
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
SML Boomer Band: Live music at the SML Park Beach Pavilion. 7 p.m.
Patchwork: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Just Us: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
May 10, 2025
Smith Mountain Arts Council Arts eXpo: Featuring over 30 booths and performances showcasing the best of SMAC’s committees and affiliates. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Arts & Drafts Festival: Local craft vendors and artisans at Falling Creek Park. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. Noon and 6 p.m.
Karaoke: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Big Daddy Ray: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
The Psychology of a Murderer: Join forensic psychologist Dr. Rachel Toles for an illuminating journey into the mind of a killer at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
May 11, 2025
Mother’s Day Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 11 a.m.
Steph Custer: Live music performance at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 2 p.m.
May 13, 2025
Cornhole with Mike: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30 p.m.
May 14, 2025
Open Mic Competition: Week 2 of the Hook, Lines and Singers Songwriters Festival Open Mic Competition at Mango’s Bar & Grill to benefit local children’s charities. Registration at 6:30 p.m. (come with at least four songs and your instrument if you plan to perform). Competition begins at 7 p.m.
Music Bingo: At Beale’s Brewery. 7-9 p.m.
Jerry Wimmer: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
May 15, 2025
Moneta Farmers Market
Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, and more, plus local artisans. Adjacent to the Moneta-SML Library, 13641 Moneta Road. 3-6 p.m.
Texas Hold ‘em Poker: Enjoy two games of poker (6 p.m. and 8 p.m.) in this fun-filled weekly Poker League at Hot Shots Bar & Grill.
Karaoke: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Beale’s Brewery. 7-9 p.m.
May 16, 2025
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. Noon.
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
The Frequency: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
One Take: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
May 17, 2025
Big Little Poker Run: Once the weekend of the Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run, this beloved lake tradition lives on as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Virginia move its Big Little Poker Run from August to May. Cruise the lake, collect cards and compete for the best poker hand—all while supporting youth mentoring programs. Register your crew or stop by a card location to join the fun. Boats depart Mango’s at 11 a.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 11 a.m.
Truckin’ For Kids: Explore large trucks, fire engines and more at this free event. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
SML Woodturners Club Open House: Learn and watch woodturning demonstrations at the 4-H Conference Center. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Della Mae w/ Laurie Lewis & Alice Gerrard: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
U.B.U the Band: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Karaoke: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
May 18, 2025
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 1 p.m.
Karlee Raye: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 2 p.m.
May 20, 2025
Cornhole with Mike: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30 p.m.
May 21, 2025
Music Bingo: At Beale’s Brewery. 7-9 p.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. Noon.
Open Mic Competition: Week 3 of the Hook, Lines and Singers Songwriters Festival Open Mic Competition at Mango’s Bar & Grill to benefit local children’s charities. Registration at 6:30 p.m. (come with at least four songs and your instrument if you plan to perform). Competition begins at 7 p.m.
Makenzie Taylor: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
The Wood Brothers: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
May 22, 2025
Trivia Night: At Beale’s Brewery. 7-9 p.m.
Karaoke: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Twitty & Lynn Salute Conway & Loretta: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Texas Hold ‘em Poker: Enjoy two games of poker (6 p.m. and 8 p.m.) in this fun-filled weekly Poker League at Hot Shots Bar & Grill.
May 23, 2025
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. Noon and 6 p.m.
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Stars and Stripes Forever Patriotic Concert: At National D-Day Memorial, Bedford. 7-9 p.m.
The Dundies: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Patchwork Band: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
May 24, 2025
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. Noon.
Nash Angeles: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Karaoke: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
May 25, 2025
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 3 p.m.
Misbehavin: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
May 27, 2025
Cornhole with Mike: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30 p.m.
Steve Earle – Solo & Acoustic: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
May 28, 2025
Open Mic Competition: Week 4 of the Hook, Lines and Singers Songwriters Festival Open Mic Competition at Mango’s Bar & Grill to benefit local children’s charities. Registration at 6:30 p.m. (come with at least four songs and your instrument if you plan to perform). Competition begins at 7 p.m.
Music Bingo: At Beale’s Brewery. 7-9 p.m.
Jerry Wimmer: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
May 29, 2025
Texas Hold ‘em Poker: Enjoy two games of poker (6 p.m. and 8 p.m.) in this fun-filled weekly Poker League at Hot Shots Bar & Grill.
Trivia Night: At Beale’s Brewery. 7-9 p.m.
Karaoke: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
May 30, 2025
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. Noon.
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Travis Reigh Band: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Second Shift: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Morgan Wade: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
May 31, 2025
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 6 p.m.
Morgan Wade: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Last Call Party Band: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Karaoke: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Visit our Monthly Event Guide page for links to things to do in June, July, August and beyond!
Submit to our Smith Mountain Lake events calendar: [email protected]
Ultimate Guide to SML Events & Festivals (2025)
Fun-filled Smith Mountain Lake events take place year-round here. For the most popular annual festivals and events, be sure to check out this comprehensive blog post!
Andie Gibson
CO-PUBLISHER
Andie has been covering Smith Mountain Lake since 2000 for a variety of publications, including Smith Mountain Laker Magazine, The Roanoker, SML Visitor and Newcomer Guide, SML HOME Magazine and Life Outside. As a partner in G&C Ventures, LLC, she oversees all content for our suite of websites, including Smith-Mountain-Lake.com and LakeLubbers.com.
