Smith Mountain Lake Events and Live Music in May (2023)
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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.
May’s Best Bets
Submit an event: [email protected]
May 1-31, 2023
Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake Cleanup Days: Annual initiative throughout the month of May to keep SML clean, safe and healthy. Volunteers events are scheduled for May 6, May 13 and May 20 at various locations around the lake.
May 2, 2023
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6-8 p.m.
May 3, 2023
Jerry Wimmer: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
May 4, 2023
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. Learn how it works.
Karaoke Thursdays: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
May 5-7, 2023
Mercury Marine Blue Ridge Big Bass Classic: Fishing tournament at Crazy Horse Marina with $150,000 in prizes.
May 5, 2023
Smith Mountain Lake Business Expo
More than 100 area businesses showcase products and services from a wide variety of industries related to home, business and life. Free and open to the public from noon to 4 p.m. at EastLake Community Church.
May 5, 2023
Eddie & the Peacemakers: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 4:30-8 p.m.
Christian Q. and the Groove: Live music at Mitchell’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. 6-9 p.m.
The Bogeys: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
May 6, 2023
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.
Marie Anderson: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Melissa McSherry: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 2-5 p.m.
Cruisin’ Rocky Mount: Cruise the streets, shop with vendors, eat locally, and enjoy classic and modern vehicles in downtown Rocky Mount. 5-9 p.m.
Tate Tuck: Live music at Mitchell’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. 6-9 p.m.
The Frequency: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Mended Fences: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Kendell Marvel and A Thousand Horses: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
May 6, 2023
Knot-A-Spring Fling
Outdoor lakeside music festival featuring two fun regional bands: Breaking the Chain and Liv Sloan & Griffin Haley. Spots must be reserved in advance and festival goers bring their own chairs, blankets, food and beverages. 11 a.m to 5 p.m. at Crazy Horse Marina.
May 7, 2023
Dance Battle SML: Participate or watch in categories such as salsa, pop, country, hip hop, freestyle, line dancing and jazz. Free. Mango’s Bar & Grill. 6:30 p.m. This is the first of a weekly competition that will take place at various venues around the lake this summer.
Keith McFadden: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Marie Anderson: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 2 p.m.
May 9, 2023
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6-8 p.m.
May 10, 2023
$2 Shake: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
May 11, 2023
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. Learn how it works.
Karaoke Thursdays: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
May 12-14, 2023
“Little Shop of Horrors”: Presented by Little Town Players in Bedford. Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.
May 12, 2023
Matt Weeks: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Percy Abell: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar. 6-8 p.m.
Christian Quesenberry: Live music at Mexico Viejo Penhook. 6 p.m.
SML Good Neighbors Day: Live music by the SML Boomer Band at SML Pavilion to benefit SML Good Neighbors. Gates open at 6 p.m. Concert starts at 7 p.m.
Glam’r Kitty: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Corey Smith with Jeb Gipson: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
May 13, 2023
Christian Q. and the Groove
Live music at Portside Grill & Bar. Noon to 3 p.m. and Magnum Point Marina from 6 to 9 p.m.
May 13, 2023
Pickleball Tournament: Round Robin Pickleball Mixer and Tournament at the Smith Mountain Lake YMCA to benefit the Y’s Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s Program. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. VIP After Party at 5 p.m.
May Faire: Vintage artisan craft event at Harvest Moon Marketplace. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunshine: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 2-5 p.m.
Homegrown Music Series: The town of Rocky Mount partners with Twin Creeks Distillery to bring together some of the region’s most talented bluegrass, old time and gospel musicians for live music at the Rocky Mount Train Depot. 5:30-9 p.m.
Christian Q and The Groove: Live music at Magnum Point Marina. 6-9 p.m.
Karlee Raye Band: Live music at the Bower Center, Bedford. 7-9 p.m.
Fuzzy Logic: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Steep Canyon Rangers with Seth Walker: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
May 14, 2023
Railroad Earth: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
May 16, 2023
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6-8 p.m.
May 17, 2023
Jerry Wimmer: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
May 18, 2023
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. Learn how it works.
Karaoke Thursdays: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
May 19-21, 2023
“Little Shop of Horrors”: Presented by Little Town Players in Bedford. Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.
May 19, 2023
Annalyse Marie: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar. 6-8 p.m.
The Worx: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
SPANK: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 8 p.m.
May 20, 2023
Lake Christian Ministries Country Jubilee
Live music by Annalyse Marie and Glen Shelton at SML Pavilion to benefit Lake Christian Ministries. 6:30-10 p.m.
May 20, 2023
25th Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run: Register to participate or just head to one of the card stops to see some awe-inspiring boats, as well as lively crews decked out with fun-filled themes. Not a race but a game of chance, this popular event benefits local non-profits.
National Kids to Parks Day: Fun games learning about animals and a hay wagon ride at the SML State Park Discovery Center Pavilion. Free. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
5 Shades of Gray: Live music presented by Los Amigos SML at Crazy Horse Pon-Tune Stage. 6 p.m.
Out of Spite: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
The Gibson Brothers: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
May 21, 2023
Noah Spencer: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar. 2-4 p.m.
3DT: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 2-5 p.m.
Sierra Hull: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
May 23, 2023
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6-8 p.m.
May 24, 2023
Jared STout Duo: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
May 25, 2023
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. Learn how it works.
Karaoke Thursdays: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
May 26, 2023
Michael Tice: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Christian Q. & The Groove: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar. 6-9 p.m.
Adrenaline 6: Live music presented by Los Amigos SML at Crazy Horse Pon-Tune Stage. 6 p.m.
Stars & Stripes Forever Patriotic Concert: Live music by the Jefferson Choral Society and the Let’s Dance Band at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford. 7-9 p.m.
$5 Shake: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
May 27, 2023
Sunset Saturday
Live music and wine tastings at Hickory Hill Vineyards. 6-10 p.m.
May 27, 2023
The Oddfellows: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 2-5 p.m.
SML Kickoff to Summer: Live music presented by Los Amigos SML at Crazy Horse Pon-Tune Stage. Mended Fences (3-5 p.m.), Axis 5 (5:30-7:30 p.m.) and The Worx (8-10 p.m.)
TJ: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar. 6-8 p.m.
May 28, 2023
Iron Lion: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar. 2-4 p.m.
May 29, 2023
Paint & Sip: Enjoy an evening of painting and wine at Fables & Feathers Winery. 6:30 p.m.
Memorial Day at the D-Day Memorial: Pay tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Featured speaker Rear Adm. Michael J. Steffen. 11 a.m.
May 30, 2023
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6-8 p.m.
May 31, 2023
Moneta Farmer’s Market: Fresh local food and artisan vendors from 3 to 7 p.m. at Downtown Moneta.
Christian Quesenberry: Live music at Bull Docks. 6-9 p.m.
Jerry Wimmer: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Submit to our Smith Mountain Lake events calendar: [email protected]
Ultimate Guide to SML Events & Festivals (2023)
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
MANAGING PARTNER
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.
