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. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Plus, other dates throughout December.
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
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.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Michael Wayne Dill: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 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.
Festival of Trees
Dec. 1, 2023- Jan. 5, 2024
Visit the Bedford Area Welcome Center to view beautiful trees decorated by community organizations and businesses and vote for your favorite. Hours vary.
Dec. 2, 2023
Christmas Open House: Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Evie’s on the Lake to hear Christmas wishes and pose for photos. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Santa & Mrs. Claus: Bring the kids to Mayberry Furniture & Antique Mall to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. They’ll hear wishes and sit for photos so bring your phone/camera. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m.
Train Exhibit: Christmas train display featuring landmarks of Bedford and more at the Bedford Museum. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Plus, other dates throughout December.
Last Illusion Concert
Dec. 2, 2023
Tribute to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Smith Mountain Lake YMCA. 6 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.
Seph Custer: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Dec. 3, 2023
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.
Rotary Christmas Parade: Floats and performances in Downtown Rocky Mount. 3- 5 p.m.
Dec. 4, 2023
Trivia Night: At Magnum Point Marina. 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 5, 2023
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30-9 p.m.
Dec. 7, 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.
Dec. 8, 2023
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-6 p.m.
An Evening with Will Kimbrough
Dec. 8, 2023
Dinner, concert and silent auction at Mariners Landing to benefit SML Good Neighbors. 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
$5 Shake: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Twitt & Lynn: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Dec. 9, 2023
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.
Karlee Raye: Live music at Beacon Seafood Pub. 2-4 p.m.
Jodie Davis: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10:30 p.m.
Sister Hazel with Midnight South: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Dec. 11, 2023
Trivia Night: At Magnum Point Marina. 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 12, 2023
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30-9 p.m.
Dec. 14, 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.
Dec. 15, 2023
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-6 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.
Home for the Holidays Concert: Featuring Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Maestro David Stewart Wiley, cellist Misha Wiley and tenor Brian Thorsett. Presented by the Smith Mountain Arts Council at Trinity Ecumenical Parish. Doors open at 6 p.m. Performance at 7.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Band TBA: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Dec. 16, 2023
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
Dec. 16, 2023
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.
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.
Terry & Raymond: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10:30 p.m.
Dec. 17, 2023
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.
Dec. 18, 2023
Trivia Night: At Magnum Point Marina. 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 19, 2023
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30-9 p.m.
Dec. 21, 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.
Dec. 22, 2023
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-6 p.m.
Ryan Greer Duo: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Dec. 23, 2023
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10:30 p.m.
Dec. 26, 2023
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30-9 p.m.
Dec. 27, 2023
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy lakeside Christmas lights aboard the Virginia Dare. 12-2 p.m.
Dec. 28, 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.
Dec. 29, 2023
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-6 p.m.
49 Winchester
Dec. 29-31, 2023
Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Doug & Robin: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Dec. 30, 2023
Christian Q.: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10:30 p.m.
49 Winchester: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Dec. 31, 2023
Last Call New Year’s Eve Party: Live music, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
49 Winchester: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Did we miss any events? Email us the details!
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.
