Top Smith Mountain Lake Events and Live Music in December (2023)
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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.
December’s Best Bets
Submit an event: [email protected]
Dec. 1, 2023
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. 2, 2024
Festival of Trees
Dec. 2, 2024- Jan. 3, 2025
Visit the Bedford Area Welcome Center to view beautiful trees decorated by community organizations and businesses and vote for your favorite. Hours vary.
Dec. 3, 2024
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30-9 p.m.
Dec. 5, 2024
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.
Dec. 6, 2024
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Jerry Wimmer: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Dec. 7, 2024
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Bedford area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Market: Handmade gifts from regional crafters, food, beverages and more at Spring Oak at Bedford (Elks Home). 2-6 p.m.
Dec. 10, 2024
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30-9 p.m.
Dec. 12, 2024
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.
Dec. 13, 2024
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Home for the Holidays Concert: Featuring Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Maestro David Stewart Wiley and friends. Location and time TBA.
Puddles Pity Party: Live performance at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Dec. 14, 2024
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Dec. 17, 2024
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30-9 p.m.
Dec. 19, 2024
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.
Dec. 20, 2024
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Supafly Five: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Dec. 21, 2024
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Dec. 27, 2024
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Dec. 28, 2024
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Did we miss any events? Email us the details!
More Events TBA
These events took place in 2023 and have yet to be finalized for 2024. Stay tuned!
Winter Wonderland Event: Golf cart parade, tree lighting ceremony and decorating showdown at Mariners Landing to benefit charity. Cookies and hot chocolate. Use your own golf cart or rent one from the golf shop for $10. Meet at The Pointe at 6:30 p.m.
Come Home to a Franklin County Christmas: Music, dancing, food, craft vendors, Santa and much more in Downtown Rocky Mount. 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Christmas Parade: Floats, antique cars, clowns, horses, marching bands and Santa in Downtown Bedford. 11 a.m.
Christmas Train: Santa and his train will make a stop at Rock Outdoors SML. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and take a free train ride. 12-4 p.m.
Christmas Home Tour at Historic Avenel: Come see how Bedford celebrated Christmas in the 1830s through the 1940s. Presented by the Bedford Council of Garden Clubs. 1- 5 p.m.
Town of Bedford Tree Lighting: Santa, ice sculpting, vendors, food, fid activities and live performances and music in Downtown Bedford. 3-6 p.m.
Dirty Santa Party & Pot Luck: At The Landing Restaurant. 6 p.m.
Rotary Christmas Parade: Floats and performances in Downtown Rocky Mount. 3- 5 p.m.
Meet Santa at the Winery: Bring the kids to meet Santa at Fables & Feathers Winery. Adults may take photos and enjoy wine tastings. 1-4 p.m.
Christmas at Smith Mountain Lake: Festival featuring lights, music, Santa photos, food and craft vendors, ice skating, Christmas tree light show and more at EastLake Community Church. 5:30-9 p.m.
Pet Photos with Santa: Bring your furry friends (and kids!) to Tractor Supply in Bedford to support the Bedford Humane Society. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Holiday Open House: Family-friendly event featuring music, food, ice cream bar, beverages and holiday cheer at Harvest Moon Marketplace. 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Steel Drum Bands Christmas Concert
TBA
SML Steel Drum Bands and Lakeside Strummers Ukulele Ensemble holiday concert and bake sale to benefit Scruggs Volunteer Fire, Rescue and Dive (2130 Bluewater Drive, Moneta). Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Performance starts at 3.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy lakeside Christmas lights aboard the Virginia Dare. 12-2 p.m.
Last Call New Year’s Eve Party: Live music, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Did we miss any events? Email us the details!
Andie Gibson
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.
