Top Smith Mountain Lake Events and Live Music in July (2023)
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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 more than 150 fun-filled things to do at SML this month. Keep scrolling to find the best SML activities this weekend and beyond.
July’s Best Bets
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July 1
Independence Weekend Activities: Nature programs, workshops, crafts and a fireworks campfire are scheduled at SML State Park this weekend.
Marie Anderson: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Haze & Dacey: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 2-5 p.m.
FireWorx Fest: Festivities start at 5 p.m. and include live music by The Worx, food, drinks, vendors, games and fireworks. Takes place at Downtown Moneta and benefits the Moneta Fire Department.
4th of July Celebration: The SML Pavilion will offer food, drinks and seating during Downtown Moneta’s FireWorx Fest. 5:30 p.m.
Beastlake 5K & Obstacle Course
July 1
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.
Christian Q. & the Groove: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 6-8 p.m.
SML Dance Battle: Participate or watch in categories such as salsa, pop, country, hip hop, freestyle, line dancing and jazz. 6-9 p.m. at Bottles & Bites.
Glam’r Kiti: Live music at Los Amigos Bar & Grill at Crazy Horse Marina. 6 p.m.
Sunset Saturday: Live music by the Rarely Available Band and wine tasting at Hickory Hill Vineyards. 6-10 p.m.
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
That 80s Show: Live music by Out of Spite at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
July 2
Independence Weekend Activities: Nature programs, workshops, crafts and a fireworks campfire are scheduled at SML State Park this weekend.
Wood & Strings: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 2-4 p.m.
Paul Mallory: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
The Oddfellows: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 2-5 p.m.
Dell Iron Project: Free boat-in concert to benefit the Free Clinic of Franklin County at the Coves Amphitheater (channel marker B-29). Accessibly by boat only. 4 p.m.
All-American Festival & Fireworks: Free celebration at Spring Valley Farm.Live music, food and craft vendors, pony rides, petting zoo, wagon rides and, of course, fireworks at dusk! 4-10 p.m.
Mitchell’s Point Marina Fireworks: This fun SML tradition begins at dusk. Parking is limited at the marina so fireworks are best viewed by boat near channel marker C3 on Craddock Creek.
NashAngeles: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 6 p.m.
Kelly & Willy Nilly: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6-9 p.m.
July 3
Independence Weekend Activities: Nature programs, workshops, crafts and a fireworks campfire are scheduled at SML State Park this weekend.
Hunter Overstreet: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 6-8 p.m.
July 4
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 the Tate Tuck Band, 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!
Independence Weekend Activities: Nature programs, workshops, crafts and a fireworks campfire are scheduled at SML State Park this weekend.
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
July 5
Yappy Hour: Dress up your pooch and head to Bottles & Bites for treats and prizes. A portion of proceeds benefits local animal shelters. You’re also encouraged to bring a can of pet food or a toy to donate. 4-10 p.m.
Annalyse Marie and Tim Rowlett: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill 7-10 p.m.
July 6
Historical Pontoon Boat Tour: Ride with a guide from SML State Park to learn the history of how the lake was created, the origin of the park and more. 9:30-11 a.m. at SML State Park.
Moneta Farmers Market: Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, and more, plus local artisans. Downtown Moneta. 3-7 p.m.
Game Night: Play Jenga, Yardzee, Corn Hole and Connect Four. Bingo starts at 6 p.m. at Bottles and Bites. 4-10 p.m.
Karaoke Thursdays: 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. Learn how it works.
July 7
Luke Milhoan: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-4 p.m.
Wildlife Canoe Tour: Paddle alongside a guide from SML State Park to look for wildlife on shore, in the air and below the surface of SML. 3:30-5:30 p.m. at SML State Park.
Elizabeth Davidson: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6-9 p.m.
The Frequency: Live music as part of the Summer Concert Series at SML Pavilion. 6-10 p.m.
Michael Franti & Spearhead with Fortunate Youth: Live music at the Coves Amphitheater. Gates open at 5 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m.
Brian Knowles Band: Live music at Los Amigos Bar & Grill at Crazy Horse Marina. 7 p.m.
Gasoline Alley: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Phlegar Hill: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Late-Night Karaoke: At Portside Grill and Bar. 8 p.m.
July 8
SML Boomer Band
July 8
Dance and sing to your favorite hits from the 1960s and 70s at SML Pavilion. Concert benefits the Smith Mountain Arts Council. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Music 7-9:30 p.m.
Nature Expo: Join Virginia Master Naturalist and park staff at Booker T. Washington National Monument to learn about native plants and streams, bluebirds and their life cycles and more. Plus, a hike, crafts and face painting. Free. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Annalyse Marie & Tim Rowlett: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
That Guy Will: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 2-5 p.m.
Jason & the Pinschers: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 6-8 p.m.
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Pizzaz Band: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
July 9
Annalyse Marie: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 2 p.m.
Dave Owens: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
TJ Ellis: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 2-4 p.m.
July 11
Watchable Wildlife Pontoon Boat Tour: Ride with a guide from SML State Park to learn about the wildlife that call our lake home. 9:30-11 a.m. at SML State Park.
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
July 12
Moneta Farmers Market: Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, and more, plus local artisans. Downtown Moneta. 3-7 p.m.
Wildlife Wednesday Cruise
Wildlife Wednesday Cruise on the Virginia Dare: Enjoy a delicious lunch, a tour down to the dam and a presentation by an SML State Park interpreter about the wildlife that call SML home. Noon-2 p.m.
Yappy Hour: Dress up your pooch and head to Bottles & Bites for treats and prizes. A portion of proceeds benefits local animal shelters. You’re also encouraged to bring a can of pet food or a toy to donate. 4-10 p.m.
The Embers featuring Craig Woolard: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Jerry Wimmer: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill 7-10 p.m.
July 13
Historical Pontoon Boat Tour: Ride with a guide from SML State Park to learn the history of how the lake was created, the origin of the park and more. 9:30-11 a.m. at SML State Park.
Game Night: Play Jenga, Yardzee, Corn Hole and Connect Four. Bingo starts at 6 p.m. at Bottles and Bites. 4-10 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. Learn how it works.
Karaoke Thursdays: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
The Weight Band: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
SML Pirate Days
July 14-16
Celebrate a weekend of fun-filled activities for scallywags of all ages with a wide range of pirate-themed events. Pirate’s Ball with live music and a costume contest, pirate ship battles on the lake, a marketplace, magic shows, kid-friendly breakfast, and much more.
July 14
Pirate Days – Family Fun Night: Pony rides, petting zoo, wagon rides, pirate-themed temporary tattoos, coloring tent and adoptable animals from the Bedford Humane Society. Enjoy the movie “The Goonies” for free beginning at dark. Food and beverages. 6-10 p.m.
Creasy: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Pirate Days – Annalyse Marie and Tim Rowlett Band: Live music at Los Amigos Bar & Grill at Crazy Horse Marina. 6 p.m.
Shaunna Rae & Paul Mallory Band: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 6-8 p.m.
Ben Trout: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6-9 p.m.
PIrate Days – The Pirate’s Ball: Live music by Vinyl Nation at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m. Pirate costumes encouraged.
Mended Fences: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Late-Night Karaoke: At Portside Grill and Bar. 8 p.m.
July 15
Pirate Days – Pancakes With Pirates: Family-oriented breakfast at Mexico Viejo at Bridgewater Plaza. Come in costume for photos and live interactions with the Pirates of SML. Face painting, balloon animals and a treasure chest filled with goodies for the kids. Advance tickets required. 8-10 a.m.
Tate Tuck: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
3DT: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 2-5 p.m.
Percy Abell: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 6-8 p.m.
DJ Cal: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6-9 p.m.
Sunset Saturday: Live music by Dreams Gone Active and wine tasting at Hickory Hill Vineyards. 6-10 p.m.
Rodney Crowell: Live music at the Coves Amphitheater. Gates open at 5 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m.
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
U.B.U. Band: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
July 16
Pirate Cruise Aboard The Virginia Dare: Enjoy a delicious lunch, sightseeing and Pirate Days festivities. Noon-2 p.m.
Jason Hostetter: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 2-4 p.m.
Noah Spencer: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Seph Custer: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 2 p.m.
Tommy Emmanuel, C.G.P. w. Richard Smith: Live music at the Coves Amphitheater. Gates open at 5 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m.
July 18
Watchable Wildlife Pontoon Boat Tour: Ride with a guide from SML State Park to learn about the wildlife that call our lake home. 9:30-11 a.m. at SML State Park.
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
July 19
Moneta Farmers Market
July 19
Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, and more, plus local artisans. Downtown Moneta. 3-7 p.m.
Yappy Hour: Dress up your pooch and head to Bottles & Bites for treats and prizes. A portion of proceeds benefits local animal shelters. You’re also encouraged to bring a can of pet food or a toy to donate. 4-10 p.m.
Andy Burnette Trio: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill 7-10 p.m.
Sunset Cruise: Ride with a guide from SML State Park to enjoy the sunset, scenery and wildlife. 7:45-8:45 p.m. at SML State Park.
July 20
Game Night: Play Jenga, Yardzee, Corn Hole and Connect Four. Bingo starts at 6 p.m. at Bottles and Bites. 4-10 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. Learn how it works.
Karaoke Thursdays: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
July 21
Matt Weeks: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 4:30-8 p.m.
Elizabeth Davidson: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6-9 p.m.
Island Time Band: Live music as part of the Summer Concert Series at SML Pavilion. 6-10 p.m.
Robinson Treacher: Live music at Drifter’s. 6-9 p.m.
Annalyse Marie: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 6-8 p.m.
Phlegar Hill: Live music at Los Amigos Bar & Grill at Crazy Horse Marina. 6 p.m.
Out of Spite: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
21 Tribes: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Late-Night Karaoke: At Portside Grill and Bar. 8 p.m.
July 22
Benefit Cornhole Tournament: At Drifter’s. Noon-4 p.m.
Creasy: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 2-5 p.m.
Karlee Raye
July 22
Live music at Drifter’s. 5-8 p.m.
Wood & Strings: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 6-8 p.m.
Kelly & Willy Nilly: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6-9 p.m.
BlackByrd Medicine : Live music at Los Amigos Bar & Grill at Crazy Horse Marina. 6 p.m.
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Gypsy Nix: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Music in the Park: Live music by The Friday Night Band and a performance by the Old Dominion Cloggers at SML State Park. 8-10 p.m.
The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
July 23
Chris Suter: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Christian Q. Duo: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 2 p.m.
Karlee Raye: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 2-4 p.m.
July 24
Nickel Creek w. Aoife O’Donovan: Live music at the Coves Amphitheater. Gates open at 5 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m.
Youth Arts Camp: Half-day camp for kids ages 9 to 14 presented by the Smith Mountain Arts Council. Classes in photography, painting, sketching, acting, singing and writing. July 24-28 at Trinity Ecumenical Parish.
July 25
Watchable Wildlife Pontoon Boat Tour: Ride with a guide from SML State Park to learn about the wildlife that call our lake home. 9:30-11 a.m. at SML State Park.
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
July 26
Moneta Farmers Market: Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, jams, jellies, and more, plus local artisans. Downtown Moneta. 3-7 p.m.
Yappy Hour: Dress up your pooch and head to Bottles & Bites for treats and prizes. A portion of proceeds benefits local animal shelters. You’re also encouraged to bring a can of pet food or a toy to donate. 4-10 p.m.
Jerry Wimmer: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill 7-10 p.m.
July 27
Historical Pontoon Boat Tour: Ride with a guide from SML State Park to learn the history of how the lake was created, the origin of the park and more. 9:30-11 a.m. at SML State Park.
Game Night: Play Jenga, Yardzee, Corn Hole and Connect Four. Bingo starts at 6 p.m. at Bottles and Bites. 4-10 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. Learn how it works.
Karaoke Thursdays
July 27
Join the fun at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
July 28
Joey Harrington: Live music at Fables & Feathers Winery. 4:30-8 p.m.
Justin Prillaman: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 6-8 p.m.
Wood & Strings: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6-9 p.m.
Eric Wayne Band: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
$5 Shake: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Late-Night Karaoke: At Portside Grill and Bar. 8 p.m.
July 29
Open House and Touch a Truck Event: Meet rescue volunteers and get a hands-on look at the major vehicles at the Scruggs Rescue Squad (kids and adults). Donations of backpacks and school supplies will be accepted. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Raye Eanes: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Dogs, Dogs and Wine: Live music by Sunshine and pets for adoption from the Bedford Humane Society at Fables & Feathers Winery. 2-5 p.m.
220 South Band : Live music at Los Amigos Bar & Grill at Crazy Horse Marina. 6 p.m.
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
The Frequency: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
July 30
Hunter Overstreet: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 2-4 p.m.
Calvin Lawhorn: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Tate Tuck: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 2 p.m.
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.
