Top Smith Mountain Lake Events and Live Music in July (2025)
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Welcome to the ultimate guide for Smith Mountain Lake events in July!
We’re kicking things off with Independence celebrations and fireworks at Smith Mountain Lake, one of our favorite weeks of the year. Then we’ll move right into SML Pirate Days. Arrrrg!
We’ve also rounded up dozens more fun-filled things to do at SML this month. Keep scrolling to find the best SML activities in July 2025.
Please note, this post is updated throughout the year as events are finalized so please check back often or sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to hear about everything going on at SML!
July’s Best Bets
Submit an event: [email protected]
July 1, 2025
Cornhole with Mike: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30 – 9 p.m.
July 2, 2025
Andy Burnett: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Moneta Farmers Market: Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, and more, plus local artisans. Adjacent to the Moneta-SML Library, 13641 Moneta Road. 3-6 p.m.
July 3, 2025
Southlake Farmers Market: Fresh, locally grown and sourced goods like produce, poultry, eggs and breads. Artisan vendors and food trucks on site. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Live music: At Mitchell’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. 5-8 p.m.
Independence Day Festival “Before the Works”: Music, food trucks, fireworks and more at Liberty Lake Park, Bedford. 5-10 p.m.
Karaoke Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
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.
July 4, 2025
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. Noon.
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Live music: At Portside Grill & Bar. 5-7 p.m.
Parkway Marina Fireworks
July 4
The largest over-the-water fireworks display at SML, this event is a fundraiser for the Saunders Volunteer Fire Company. Live music by Tate Tuck, food and drink vendors. Gates open at 5 p.m., music at 6 and fireworks at dusk. If coming by boat, please remember this is a NO-WAKE event!
Grease Fire: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
On3: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
4th of July Fireworks Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a front-row seats for the fireworks at Parkway Marina aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 8 p.m.
July 5, 2025
Bedford Farmer’s Market: Fresh produce, vegetables, baked goods, artisan crafts and a variety of Bedford and locally grown products. Every Saturday from May 3rd to September 28th. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Westlake Farmers Market: Fresh seasonal vegetables and large and small fruits, pasture-raised eggs, herbs, bedding plants, jams, jellies, and local honey. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. Noon.
Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.
Live music: At Portside Grill & Bar. 1-7 p.m.
Live music: At Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Big Matt And The Time Machine: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6:30 p.m.
Karaoke Night: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Mitchell’s Point Marina Fireworks: This fun SML tradition runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Parking is limited at the marina so fireworks are best viewed by boat near channel marker C3 on Craddock Creek. Donations accepted for charities.
4th of July Fireworks Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a front-row seats for the fireworks at Parkway Marina aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 8 p.m.
July 6, 2025
Beastlake 5K & Obstacle Course
July 6, 2025
A fundraiser for Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy, this event features a 5k, a 5K Obstacle Course and a 1.5-mile Obstacle Course Fun Event at Eastlake Community Church. 8 a.m.
Live music: At Mitchell’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. 1-4 p.m.
Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.
Live music: At Portside Grill & Bar. 2-4 p.m.
Marie Anderson: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 2 p.m.
Live music: At Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Independence Celebration: Join the fun at this new event at Wind Vineyards featuring live music by The Church Sisters, food vendors, wine and a variety of other beverages. Enjoy family-friendly activities like slides, games, bounce houses, hayrides and monster truck rides. Gates open at 3 p.m., music and events start a 4:30, followed by fireworks around 9.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 3 p.m.
July 7, 2025
Karaoke Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
July 8, 2025
Cornhole with Mike: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30 – 9 p.m.
July 9, 2025
Moneta Farmers Market: Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, and more, plus local artisans. Adjacent to the Moneta-SML Library, 13641 Moneta Road. 3-6 p.m.
Jerry Wimmer: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Peaks & Pieces Quilt Guild Show
July 9-19, 2025
This free event at the Bedford Public Library showcases Peaks and Pieces Quilt Guild members’ quilts with entries from modern art pieces to wearable quilts to large bed quilts. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
July 10, 2025
Southlake Farmers Market: Fresh, locally grown and sourced goods like produce, poultry, eggs and breads. Artisan vendors and food trucks on site. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wagon Rides & History Tour: A Gross Orchard free wagon ride/history tour. 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Moneta Farmers Market: Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, and more, plus local artisans. Adjacent to the Moneta-SML Library, 13641 Moneta Road. 3-6 p.m.
Live music: At Mitchell’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. 5-8 p.m.
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.
July 11-12, 2025
Smith Mountain Lake Rodeo: Eight professional events, food vendors, shopping and more. 6 p.m.
July 11, 2025
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Live music: Portside Grill & Bar. 5-7 p.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 6 p.m.
Dock Wizards: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6:30 p.m.
Glen Shelton: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Creedence Clearwater Recital: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
July 12, 2025
Bedford Farmer’s Market: Fresh produce, vegetables, baked goods, artisan crafts and a variety of Bedford and locally grown products. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Westlake Farmers Market: Fresh seasonal vegetables and large and small fruits, pasture-raised eggs, herbs, bedding plants, jams, jellies, and local honey. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. Noon.
Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.
Christmas in July: Shopping, slushies, games, music, and more. 1-6 p.m.
Live music: At Portside Grill & Bar. 1-7 p.m.
Live music: At Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Sunshine Daydream Festival: Big Matt and the Time Machine, The Dock Wizards and Bigfoot County perform at Mitchell’s Point Marina starting at 2 p.m.
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Big Matt And The Time Machine: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6:30 p.m.
Karaoke Night: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Misbehavin: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Sister Hazel: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
July 13, 2025
Jimmie Wilson: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 2 p.m.
Live music: At Portside Grill & Bar. 2-4 p.m.
Live music: At Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.
Live music: At Mitchell’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. 1-4 p.m.
Emily Ann Roberts: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 1 p.m.
July 14, 2025
FJ – A Tribute to Foreigner & Journey: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
July 15, 2025
Cornhole with Mike: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30 – 9 p.m.
July 16, 2025
Moneta Farmers Market: Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, and more, plus local artisans. Adjacent to the Moneta-SML Library, 13641 Moneta Road. 3-6 p.m.
Wildlife Wednesday Cruise
July 16, 2025
Enjoy a meal, a tour down to the dam and a presentation by an SML State Park interpreter about the wildlife that call SML home. Noon.
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Annalyse Marie: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
July 17, 2025
Moneta Farmers Market: Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, and more, plus local artisans. Adjacent to the Moneta-SML Library, 13641 Moneta Road. 3-6 p.m.
Southlake Farmers Market: Fresh, locally grown and sourced goods like produce, poultry, eggs and breads. Artisan vendors and food trucks on site. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wagon Rides & History Tour: A Gross Orchard free wagon ride/history tour. 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Live music: At Mitchell’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. 5-8 p.m.
Karaoke Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
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.
July 18, 2025
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. Noon.
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Live music: At Portside Grill & Bar. 5-7 p.m.
The Wallflowers: Live performance at the Coves Amphitheater. 6 p.m.
Big Matt And The Time Machine: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6:30 p.m.
Funky Bone: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Supafly: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
July 19, 2025
Bedford Farmer’s Market: Fresh produce, vegetables, baked goods, artisan crafts and a variety of Bedford and locally grown products. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Westlake Farmers Market: Fresh seasonal vegetables and large and small fruits, pasture-raised eggs, herbs, bedding plants, jams, jellies, and local honey. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lakeside Local
July 19, 2025
Enjoy a vibrant market bringing talented local vendors to the heart of SML. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Pancakes with Pirates: Bring the kids out for breakfast and the experience of a lifetime – Pancakes with the Pirates of Smith Mountain Lake. Face painting, balloon animals and a treasure chest filled with goodies for the kids. 8-10:30 a.m.
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.
Live music: At Portside Grill & Bar. 1-7 p.m.
Live music: At Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Rodeo at Wind Vineyards: BLM Bull and Rodeo Company will be at Wind Vineyards for all of your Cowboy entertainment. 3-8 p.m.
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 6 p.m.
Tim Martin: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6:30 p.m.
Karaoke Night: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Pizzaz: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
July 20, 2025
Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.
Live music: At Mitchell’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. 1-4 p.m.
Karlee Raye: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 2 p.m.
Live music: At Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Live music: At Portside Grill & Bar. 2-4 p.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 5 p.m.
July 22, 2025
Cornhole with Mike: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30 – 9 p.m.
July 23, 2025
Moneta Farmers Market: Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, and more, plus local artisans. Adjacent to the Moneta-SML Library, 13641 Moneta Road. 3-6 p.m.
Jerry Wimmer: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
July 24, 2025
Southlake Farmers Market: Fresh, locally grown and sourced goods like produce, poultry, eggs and breads. Artisan vendors and food trucks on site. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wagon Rides & History Tour: A Gross Orchard free wagon ride/history tour. 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Live music: At Mitchell’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. 5-8 p.m.
Karaoke Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
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.
July 25, 2025
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Live music: At Portside Grill & Bar. 5-7p.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 6 p.m.
Elizabeth Davidson: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6:30 p.m.
Stone Country: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
In The Meantime: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Stephen Kellogg & Pat McGee: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
July 26, 2025
Bedford Farmer’s Market: Fresh produce, vegetables, baked goods, artisan crafts and a variety of Bedford and locally grown products. 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Westlake Farmers Market: Fresh seasonal vegetables and large and small fruits, pasture-raised eggs, herbs, bedding plants, jams, jellies, and local honey. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.
Live music: At Portside Grill & Bar. 1-7 p.m.
Live music: At Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Big Matt And The Time Machine: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6:30 p.m.
A Killer Christmas in July: Join Jump into Mystery at Fables and Feathers Winery for a Christmas in July interactive murder mystery event 6:30 p.m.
Karaoke Night: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Cimmaron: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Judy Collins: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 6 p.m.
July 27, 2025
Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.
Live music: At Mitchell’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. 1-4 p.m.
Annalyse Marie: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 2 p.m.
Live music: At Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Live music: At Portside Grill & Bar. 2-4 p.m.
The Gatlin Brothers: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 1 p.m.
July 28, 2025
Sightseeing Cruise: Enjoy a meal and a 2-hour tour of Smith Mountain Lake aboard the Virginia Dare cruise boat. 3 p.m.
July 29, 2025
Cornhole with Mike: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30 – 9 p.m.
July 30, 2025
Moneta Farmers Market: Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, and more, plus local artisans. Adjacent to the Moneta-SML Library, 13641 Moneta Road. 3-6 p.m.
Justin Prillaman: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
July 31 2025
Southlake Farmers Market: Fresh, locally grown and sourced goods like produce, poultry, eggs and breads. Artisan vendors and food trucks on site. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wagon Rides & History Tour: A Gross Orchard free wagon ride/history tour. 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Live music: At Mitchell’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. 5-8 p.m.
Karaoke Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
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.
Submit to our Smith Mountain Lake events calendar: [email protected]
Ultimate Guide to SML Events & Festivals (2024)
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
CO-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.
