Top Smith Mountain Lake Events and Live Music in December (2023)
This site contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure policy.
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.
Festival of Trees
Nov. 25, 2024- Jan. 5, 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.
Carols & Pints: A community Christmas gathering and sing-along at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6-8 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.
Trivia Night: Come out for two rounds of fun-filled trivia at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Jerry Wimmer: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Patterson Hood: Live music by singer, guitarist and member of Drive-By Truckers at The Harvester. 8 p.m.
Dec. 7, 2024
Christmas Parade: Floats, antique cars, clowns, horses, marching bands and Santa in Downtown Bedford. 11 a.m.
Visit With Santa: Bring the kids to Rock Outdoors to have Santa hear their wish lists. Bring your own camera/phone. Enjoy complimentary, cookies cocoa and coffee. 1-4 p.m.
Town of Bedford Community Tree Lighting: Santa, ice sculpting, vendors, food, fid activities and live performances and music in Downtown Bedford. 3-6 p.m.
Come Home to a Franklin County Christmas: Music, dancing, food, craft vendors, Santa and much more in Downtown Rocky Mount. 4-8 p.m.
Wood & Strings: Live music at Tony & Friends. 6-8 p.m.
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. 8, 2024
Rotary Christmas Parade: Floats and performances in Downtown Rocky Mount. 3- 5 p.m.
Emily Ann Roberts: Country candlelight Christmas concert by The Voice finalist and Nashville recording artist at Palestine Baptist Church. 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.
Bethlehem – A Christmas Musical: A theatrical retelling of Jesus’ birth presented by Eastlake Community Church. 7-9 p.m. Also Dec. 13 and 15, 7-9 p.m. and Dec. 14, 2-4 p.m.
Dec. 13, 2024
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Trivia Night: Come out for two rounds of fun-filled trivia at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Home for the Holidays Concert: Featuring Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Maestro David Stewart Wiley and friends. Trinity Ecumenical Parish. 7 p.m.
Bethlehem – A Christmas Musical: A theatrical retelling of Jesus’ birth presented by Eastlake Community Church. 7-9 p.m. Also Dec. 12 and 15, 7-9 p.m. and Dec. 14, 2-4 p.m.
Puddles Pity Party: Live performance at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Dec. 14, 2024
SML Steel Drum Bands’ Family Holiday Concert: Concert and baked goods sale to benefit SML Volunteer Fire and Rescue. 4-5:30 p.m. at the Scruggs Volunteer Fire and Rescue, 2130 Bluewater Drive, Moneta.
Bethlehem – A Christmas Musical: A theatrical retelling of Jesus’ birth presented by Eastlake Community Church. 2-4 p.m. Also Dec. 12, 13 and 15, 7-9 p.m.
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Holiday Party: To benefit Feeding Southwest Virginia at Magnum Point Marina. 6 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.
Trivia Night: Come out for two rounds of fun-filled trivia at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30-9:30 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.
Trivia Night: Come out for two rounds of fun-filled trivia at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30-9:30 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.
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.
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.
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.
