Top Smith Mountain Lake Events and Live Music in September (2023)
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Welcome to the ultimate guide for Smith Mountain Lake events in September!
The highlight of this month’s activities is the SML Wine Festival, which will take place Sept. 23-24 at Crazy Horse Marina. Eastlake Community Church is also hosting a Labor Day concert and fireworks display on Sept. 4. Be sure to check it out!
We’ve also rounded up more than 75 other fun-filled things to do at SML this month. Keep scrolling to find the best SML activities this weekend and beyond.
September’s Best Bets
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Sept. 1, 2023
Kelly & Willy Nilly: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6-9 p.m.
Philegar Hill: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Gasoline Alley: Live music at Los Amigos Bar & Grill at Crazy Horse Marina. 7-10 p.m.
Oddfellows: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Freedom Walk: Annual walk to support the Friends of Booker T. Washington National Monument scholarship fund. Takes place through Oct. 14.
Sept. 2, 2023
Smith Mountain Lake Live Music Festival: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. $25 entry fee.
Also Sept. 3. See lineup below.
Christian Q: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 12-3 p.m.
Noah Spencer: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Lyme Aid Concert: Live music by Kay Azna & the Weapons of Mass Elation at SML Pavilion. A tribute to Live Aid for Lyme Disease relief featuring hits from the 80s, 90s and 00s. Benefits Whitney Tilley.
Epic 80s Party: Live music with That 80s Show at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Sunset Saturday: Live music by the Christian Q & The Groove and wine tasting at Hickory Hill Vineyards. 6-10 p.m.
Axis Five: Live music at Los Amigos Bar & Grill at Crazy Horse Marina. 7-10 p.m.
Sept. 3, 2023
Smith Mountain Lake Live Music Festival: At Hot Shots Bar & Grill. $25 entry fee.
Shaunna Rae: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 2-4 p.m.
Steve & Robin: Live music at Drifter’s. 2-5 p.m.
Woods & Strings: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6-9 p.m.
Brent Cobb with Josh Morningstar: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Sept. 4, 2023
Labor Day Concert and Fireworks
Sept. 4, 2023
An evening of family fun at Eastlake Community Church. Bounce houses for the kids, food vendors, music by Christian recording artist Ben Fuller, and a fireworks display. 5-10 p.m.
Sept. 5, 2023
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30-9 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Sept. 6, 2023
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.
Sept. 7, 2023
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.
Sept. 8, 2023
Ben Trout: Live music at Bottles & Bites. 6-9 p.m.
The Frequency: Live music at Los Amigos Bar & Grill at Crazy Horse Marina. 7-10 p.m.
Travis Reigh Band: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Sept. 9, 2023
One Take Band: Live music at Los Amigos Bar & Grill at Crazy Horse Marina. 6-9 p.m.
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Wood & Strings: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. Time TBA
Sept. 10, 2023
Jason Hostetter: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 2-4 p.m.
James McMurtry with BettySoo: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Sept. 12, 2023
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30-9 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Eric Johnson: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Sept. 13, 2023
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.
Michael Wayne Dill: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
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.
Sunset Cruise: Ride with a guide from SML State Park to enjoy the sunset, scenery and wildlife. 6:45-7:45 p.m. at SML State Park.
Sept. 14, 2023
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.
Sept. 15, 2023
Andy Burnette Trio: Live music at Los Amigos Bar & Grill at Crazy Horse Marina. 6-9 p.m.
Mended Fences: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Bingo Night: To benefit SML Good Neighbors at SML Pavilion. 6-10 p.m.’
Sept. 16, 2023
Smith Mountain Lake Antique and Classic Boat Show
Sept. 16, 2023
Come see beautifully restored wooden boats, meet their friendly owners and peruse a variety of vendors at the 31st edition of this popular lakeside event at Crazy Horse Marina.
SML Walk to End Poverty: 5K and 10K walk and run to benefit Lake Christian Ministries at Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Music, lunch, awards and door prizes. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
American Honey: Live music at Los Amigos Bar & Grill at Crazy Horse Marina. 6-9 p.m.
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Sunset Saturday: Live music by the Common Ground and wine tasting at Hickory Hill Vineyards. 6-10 p.m.
Panini Brothers: Live music as part of the Smith Mountain Lake Arts Council Coffee House Series. The Celebration Room at Downtown Moneta. Doors open at 6 p.m. and concert starts at 7.
Sister Hazel: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Sept. 17, 2023
The Gatlin Brothers: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Sept. 19, 2023
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30-9 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Sept. 20, 2023
Jerry Wimmer: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Sept. 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.
Sept. 22, 2023
$5 Shake: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Karaoke: at Portside Grill and Bar. 8 p.m.
Atlanta Rhythm Section: Live music at Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Sept. 23, 2023
Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival
Sept. 23-24, 2023
One of the region’s longest-running and most popular events, this festival includes wine, beer, cider and spirits, live music and artisan vendors. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Crazy Horse Marina.
220 South: Live music at Los Amigos Bar & Grill at Crazy Horse Marina. 6-9 p.m.
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Karlee Raye: Live music at Portside Grill and Bar. 6-8 p.m.
National Public Lands Day Event: Hike along SML State Park’s scenic Beechwood Trail as you assist a ranger with a trail clean-up. Tools and materials provided. 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 24, 2023
Christian Q & The Groove: Live music at Mitchell’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. 1-4 p.m.
Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival: Tastings of wine, beer, cider and spirits, live music and artisan vendors. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Crazy Horse Marina. Fundraiser for area charities.
Sept. 26, 2023
Weekly Cornhole Tournament: Come out for some fun, food and drinks at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 6:30-9 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Sept. 27, 2023
Annalyse Marie & Tim Rowlett: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 p.m.
Sept. 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.
Full Moon Boat Tour: Enjoy a ride with a guide from SML State Park and watch as the full moon rises over the surface of the lake. 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29, 2023
10th Annual Alpaca Farm Days: Workshops, guided tours, demonstrations and more at Alpacas of Smith Mountain Lake Farm. 11 a.m.-5 pm.
The Worx: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Karaoke: at Portside Grill and Bar. 8 p.m.
Sept. 30, 2023
150 Fest: Huge, free festival in Downtown Rock Mount to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary. Live music, kids activities, vendors and more. 3-10 p.m .
10th Annual Alpaca Farm Days: Workshops, guided tours, demonstrations and more at Alpacas of Smith Mountain Lake Farm. 11 a.m.-5 pm.
Karaoke: at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7-10 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.
