Top Smith Mountain Lake Events and Live Music in December (2025)

Welcome to the ultimate guide for Smith Mountain Lake events in December!

The holidays are upon us at Smith Mountain Lake and there are tons of ways to celebrate the season here and around the region.

From visits with Santa to Christmas concerts and more, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy this month! Keep scrolling to find the best SML activities this weekend and beyond.

Land of Lights: Experience a dazzling drive-through display at Franklin County Recreation Park. This half-mile loop shines with festive holiday scenes that capture the spirit of the season. Open 5–9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 25. Free with donations accepted.

Train Exhibit: Christmas train display featuring landmarks of Bedford and more at the Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Plus, other dates throughout December.

Dec. 3, 2025

Teens in the Kitchen!: Christmas Cookie Edition: Get ready for the holidays by baking cookies at the Moneta Library. Registration is required. 4-7 p.m.

Dec. 5, 2025

Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.

Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.

Queensryche: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 7 p.m.

Jerry Wimmer Trio: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 8 p.m.

Dec. 6, 2025

Peaks of Otter Christmas Classic 5k: Join the 46th annual 5k run organized by the Bedford Area YMCA. Tickets on sale now. 9:30 a.m.

Bedford Christmas Parade: The parade winds through the streets of downtown from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Festivities continue with the community Christmas tree lighting at 3 p.m., featuring Santa, local vendors, children’s activities, live performances and music. The town’s tree will be lit at 6 p.m.

The Rarely Available Band: Live music at Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.

Visit with Santa: Santa makes a special stop at Rock Outdoors to hear wishes. Come for cookies, photos and surprises from 2-5 p.m.

Holiday’s at Bedford Farmer’s Market: Enjoy treats, music, and your favorite craft and artisan vendors to get your holiday spirit (and shopping!) started. 3-6 p.m.

Saturday Matinee presents A Christmas Story: Join us at the Bedford Central Library for a monthly Saturday afternoon screening of a movie for adults and teens. 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Come Home to a Franklin County Christmas: Enjoy a festive evening in downtown Rocky Mount with an opening ceremony to kick off the holiday season, dancers, live music and plenty of food and craft vendors. The Rocky Mount Train Depot transforms into the North Pole with games, inflatables and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free and fun for all ages. 4-8 p.m.

Town of Bedford Tree Lighting: Vendors, ice sculpting, kids activities and more. 3-6 p.m.

An Evening of Christmas Music: Christmas cantata at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Moneta. 7 p.m.

Concert at the Bower Center: Celtic Christmas with Kinnfolk. Tickets on sale now. 6-8 p.m.

Tim Martin: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.

Dec. 7, 2025

Pet Photos with Santa: Get your pet holiday photos while supporting the Bedford Humane Society. 12-3 p.m.

Karlee Raye: Live music at Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-4:30 p.m.

Dec. 8, 2025

Literary Lakers Book Club: Join us for the meeting of the Literary Lakers Book Club at the Moneta/SML Library. The second Monday of each month. Registration is required. 3-4 p.m.

Dec. 9, 2025

Christmas Concert with Riddle on the Harp: Celebrate the season with us as we enjoy a special holiday concert performance at Bedford Central Library. 1:30 p.m.

Paint Night: Christmas Cottages Edition: Join us at Bedford Central Library to decorate small wooden holiday-themed houses. All supplies will be provided.  This event is for adults and teens ages 15 and up. 6-7 p.m.

Dec. 11, 2025

Fiber Club Friends: The Moneta Fiber Club Friends group meets the second Thursday of every month (except on holidays). 3-5 p.m.

Christmas Concert with Riddle on the Harp: Celebrate the season with us as we enjoy a special holiday concert performance at Bedford Central Library. 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 12, 2025

Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.

Christmas at Smith Mountain Lake 2025: Craft vendors, photos with Santa, food trucks, carolers, inflatables, Christmas movie and variety show performances at Eastlake Community Church. 5-9 p.m. Also, Dec. 13 and 14.

The Christmas List: A WWII Christmas Story: The Christmas List is a touching WWII-era story of sacrifice, hope, and the enduring power of love, inspired in part by the bravery of Virginia’s own Bedford Boys. 7 p.m.

Home for the Holidays Concert: Experience the magic of the holidays as Maestro David Stewart Wiley of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra returns to Trinity Ecumenical Parish with guest soprano Adelaide Trombetta. Sponsored by the Smith Mountain Arts Council, the performance begins at 7 p.m.

Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.

Ryan Greer: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 8 p.m.

Billy Joel Tribute THE STRANGER: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.

Dec. 13, 2025

Breakfast with Santa: Enjoy breakfast and holiday fun with Santa at the Bedford Central Library. Kids can eat, chat, and snap a photo with Santa before he heads back to the North Pole. 10 a.m. – Noon.

Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Take a break from the festivities inside the Bedford Central Library and take a brisk winter walk through the Wharton Garden while completing our Holiday Scavenger Hunt. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Holiday Handbell Concert performance by the Brightwell Bells from Mainstreet United Methodist Church: Join us for a festive morning of music and merriment as the Bedford Central Library hosts a special Christmas Handbell Concert. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.

Holiday Paint Party: Tea Light Holders: Escape the holiday hustle and join Bedford Central Library for a relaxing afternoon of creative cheer. This workshop is designed for adults of all skill levels—absolutely no painting experience is required. 3-5 p.m.

Steel Drum Band Holiday Concert: Enjoy festive tunes with an island flair at the SML Steel Drum Band’s Holiday Concert, held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Saunders Volunteer Fire Company. A baked goods sale will benefit the fire company, with additional food and beverages available for purchase.

Christmas at Smith Mountain Lake 2025: Craft vendors, photos with Santa, food trucks, carolers, inflatables, Christmas movie and variety show performances at Eastlake Community Church. 5-9 p.m. Also, Dec. 12 and 14.

SML Gives Holiday Benefit: Dinner, entertainment, raffles and silent auction a Magnum Point Marina to benefit SML Gives, Inc., a nonprofit helping fight hunger and poverty in the SML Regions. Tickets required. 5:30 p.m.

Concert at the Bower Center: Christmas Cabaret with a twist. Tickets on sale now. 6 p.m.

The Christmas List: A WWII Christmas Story: The Christmas List is a touching WWII-era story of sacrifice, hope, and the enduring power of love, inspired in part by the bravery of Virginia’s own Bedford Boys. 7 p.m.

Danielle Gray: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.

Bob Schneider & Steve Poltz: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.

Dec. 14, 2025

Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.

The Christmas List: A WWII Christmas Story: The Christmas List is a touching WWII-era story of sacrifice, hope, and the enduring power of love, inspired in part by the bravery of Virginia’s own Bedford Boys. 2 p.m.

Christmas at Smith Mountain Lake 2025: Craft vendors, photos with Santa, food trucks, carolers, inflatables, Christmas movie and variety show performances at Eastlake Community Church. 5-9 p.m. Also, Dec. 12 and 13

Dec. 18, 2025

Bower After Hours: Holiday Party: Don your ugliest Christmas sweater and join us for a night of holiday cheer, music, and good company. 6-8 p.m.

Dec. 19, 2025

Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.

Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.

SupaFly: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 20, 2025

Lakeside Local: Enjoy a vibrant market bringing talented local vendors to the heart of SML. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.

Marie Anderson: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.

Supafly Five: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.

ZOSO: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.

Dec. 26, 2025

Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.

Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 27, 2025

Karlee Raye: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.

Did we miss any events? Email us the details!

Ultimate Guide to Smith Mountain Lake Events and Festivals (2025)