Top Smith Mountain Lake Events and Live Music in October (2023)
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Welcome to the ultimate guide for Smith Mountain Lake events in October!
The highlight of this month’s activities is the SML Charity Home Tour, which takes place Oct. 6-8 at various locations around the lake. This long-time lake event allows you to tour eight spectacular waterfront homes while raising money for area charities.
We’ve also rounded up dozens of other fun-filled things to do at SML this month. Keep scrolling to find the best SML activities this weekend and beyond.
October’s Best Bets
Submit an event: [email protected]
Oct. 1, 2023
Virtual Freedom Walk: Annual walk to support the Friends of Booker T. Washington National Monument scholarship fund. Takes place through Oct. 14.
Oct. 4, 2023
Annalyse Marie Duo: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Shovels & Rope: Live music at The Coves Amphitheater. Gates open at 5 p.m. Show starts at 7.
Oct. 5, 2023
Moonshine Bandits: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Oct. 6, 2023
Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour
Oct. 6-8, 2023
Eight beautiful lakefront homes are opened to the public for touring on Columbus Day weekend. All are accessible by road and by water. Proceeds benefit eight area charities.
Charity Cheers 5: Live music by the SML Boomer Band and wine tastings at Hickory Hill Vineyards to benefit Bedford Domestic Violence Services. 6-10 p.m.
Wine Tasting: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-6 p.m.
Annalyse Marie Duo: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Christian Q.: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar. 6-8 p.m.
Late-Night Karaoke: At Portside Grill and Bar. 8 p.m.
Oct. 7, 2023
Woods & Strings.: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar.
Harvest Fall Fest: Family -friendly event featuring live music by 3DT, wings, ice cream, moonshine and wine tastings, and more at Harvest Moon Marketplace. 11 a.m.
Camper Crafts: Kids explore camping life with a ranger then create crafts at SML State Park campground. 3-4 p.m.
Creatures of the Night Campfire: Enjoy a relaxing evening as a park ranger shares fun animal facts at SML State Park. 6-7 p.m.
Brandy Clark and Lori McKenna: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Oct. 11, 2023
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.
Oct. 13, 2023
SML Fall Classic Golf Tournament: Presented by the SML Regional Chamber of Commerce at Mariners Landing. Pre-registration required. Noon.
Wine Tasting: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-6 p.m.
Lady Supreme – A Diana Ross Experience: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Late-Night Karaoke: At Portside Grill and Bar. 8 p.m.
Oct. 14, 2023
Blue Ridge Draft Legal Triathlon Festival
Oct. 14, 2023
Test your endurance while swimming, cycling, and running through one of Virginia’s most beautiful state parks. Or bring the family to watch the excitement. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at SML State Park.
Woods & Strings.: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar. 6-8 p.m.
Fall Craft Fair: 40+ craft vendors, baked goods and more. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Resurrection Catholic Church.
Oktoberfest: Music by Sunshine (12-3 p.m.) and The Oddfellows (4-7 p.m.), food truck, wine and beer tastings and more at Fables & Feathers Winery. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
All Ears Reading Program: Event for kids (K-8) to read books to horses to increase reading skills and confidence. Plus, crafts and snacks. New Life Center for Thoroughbreds. 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Southern Culture on the Skids: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Oct. 15, 2023
Christian Q..: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar. 2-4 p.m.
Oct. 18, 2023
Kitchen Dwellers with Fireside Collective: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Oct. 20, 2023
34th Annual Art Show: Presented by the Smith Mountain Arts Council at Kaleidoscope Church in Hardy. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Wine Tasting: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-6 p.m.
$5 Shake: Live music at Crazy Horse Marina Pon-Tune Stage presented by Los Amigos Bar & Grill. 6 p.m.
Suggesting Rhythm: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Late-Night Karaoke: At Portside Grill and Bar. 8 p.m.
Oct. 21, 2023
34th Annual Art Show
Oct. 20-22, 2023
Presented by the Smith Mountain Arts Council at Kaleidoscope Church in Hardy. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fall Festival: Live music by the Common Bluegrass Band, hot cider, beer, wine, food, games, contests, pumpkin painting and face painting at Deerhead Nature Preserve/One Forest School. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
What Bird Am I?: Challenge yourself to name various birds found around Smith Mountain Lake. Join the SML State Park interpreter and see how many of our common birds you can identify. 1-2 p.m.
Camper Crafts: Kids explore camping life with a ranger then create crafts at SML State Park campground. 3-4 p.m.
Tim Rowlett.: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar. 2-4 p.m.
5 Mile Mountain Road: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 7 p.m.
Southwest Virginia Songwriters Association Concert: Live music, food and beverates at The Celebration Room at Downtown Moneta. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show starts at 7.
Oct. 22, 2023
34th Annual Art Show: Presented by the Smith Mountain Arts Council at Kaleidoscope Church in Hardy. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Jason Hostetter.: Live music at Portside Grill & Bar. 2 p.m.
Oct. 25, 2023
SML Women’s Night Out: Presented by the SML Regional Chamber of Commerce at The Waterfront Country Club. Guest speaker Dr. Mirta Martin, president of Ferrum College. Networking, cocktails, dinner, raffles and door prizes. Pre-registration required. 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 27, 2023
Wine Tasting: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-6 p.m.
Breaking the Chain: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill’s Halloween Bash. 7:15 p.m.
Albert Cummings: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Late-Night Karaoke: At Portside Grill and Bar. 8 p.m.
Oct. 28, 2023
Blue Ridge Folklife Festival
Oct. 28, 2023
50th anniversary celebration of the rich heritage and traditions of the region. Enjoy live music, horse pulls, mule jumping, coon dog contests, crafts, country food, custom and vintage cars, sheep herding demos and much more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Ferrum College.
Trick or Treat Event: Bring the kids dressed in their Halloween costumes to the shops of Halesford Center for for door-to-door trick or treating. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Oyster Fest ’23: Live music by Surrender Dorothy, oysters and more at Harvest Moon Marketplace. 12-4 p.m.
Goblins and Goodies: Halloween event for families at SML State Park Discovery Center. Kids’ costume contest, pumpkin decorating crafts, candy and games. 1:30-4:30 p.m.
EastLake Jamboree: Free family event with live bluegrass music by E41, hay rides, bounce houses, car show, flag football, candy trail and more. 3-8 p.m. at EastLake Community Church.
Stone Country: Live music and Halloween Bash at Crazy Horse Marina Pon-Tune Stage. Presented by Los Amigos Bar & Grill. 6 p.m.
Portside Halloween Party: Live music by Christian Q. & The Groove, costume contest, drink specials and more. 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 29, 2023
Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 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.
