Top Smith Mountain Lake Events and Live Music in December (2025)
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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, 2025
Train Exhibit: Christmas train display featuring landmarks of Bedford and more at the Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Plus, other dates throughout December.
Festival of Trees
Nov. 24, 2025- Jan. 4, 2026
Visit the Bedford Area Welcome Center to view beautiful trees decorated by community organizations and businesses and vote for your favorite. Hours vary.
Dec. 3, 2025
Teens in the Kitchen!: Christmas Cookie Edition: Get ready for the holidays by baking cookies at the Moneta Library. Registration is required. 4-7 p.m.
Dec. 5, 2025
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Queensryche: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 7 p.m.
Jerry Wimmer Trio: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 8 p.m.
Dec. 6, 2025
Peaks of Otter Christmas Classic 5k: Join the 46th annual 5k run organized by the Bedford Area YMCA. Tickets on sale now. 9:30 a.m.
Christmas Parade: Floats, antique cars, clowns, horses, marching bands and Santa in Downtown Bedford. 11 a.m.
Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.
Saturday Matinee presents A Christmas Story: Join us at the Bedford Central Library for a monthly Saturday afternoon screening of a movie for adults and teens. 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Town of Bedford Tree Lighting: Vendors, ice sculpting, kids activities and more. 3-6 p.m.
Holiday’s at Bedford Farmer’s Market: Enjoy treats, music, and your favorite craft and artisan vendors to get your holiday spirit (and shopping!) started. 3-6 p.m.
Concert at the Bower Center: Celtic Christmas with Kinnfolk. Tickets on sale now. 6-8 p.m.
Tim Martin: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Dec. 7, 2025
Pet Photos with Santa: Get your pet holiday photos while supporting the Bedford Humane Society. 12-3 p.m.
Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.
Dec. 8, 2025
Literary Lakers Book Club: Join us for the meeting of the Literary Lakers Book Club at the Moneta/SML Library. The second Monday of each month. Registration is required. 3-4 p.m.
Dec. 9, 2025
Christmas Concert with Riddle on the Harp: Celebrate the season with us as we enjoy a special holiday concert performance at Bedford Central Library. 1:30 p.m.
Paint Night: Christmas Cottages Edition: Join us at Bedford Central Library to decorate small wooden holiday-themed houses. All supplies will be provided. This event is for adults and teens ages 15 and up. 6-7 p.m.
Dec. 11, 2025
Fiber Club Friends: The Moneta Fiber Club Friends group meets the second Thursday of every month (except on holidays). 3-5 p.m.
Christmas Concert with Riddle on the Harp: Celebrate the season with us as we enjoy a special holiday concert performance at Bedford Central Library. 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 12, 2025
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
The Christmas List: A WWII Christmas Story: The Christmas List is a touching WWII-era story of sacrifice, hope, and the enduring power of love, inspired in part by the bravery of Virginia’s own Bedford Boys. 7 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Ryan Greer: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 8 p.m.
Billy Joel Tribute THE STRANGER: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Dec. 13, 2025
Breakfast with Santa: Enjoy breakfast and holiday fun with Santa at the Bedford Central Library. Kids can eat, chat, and snap a photo with Santa before he heads back to the North Pole. 10 a.m. – Noon.
Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Take a break from the festivities inside the Bedford Central Library and take a brisk winter walk through the Wharton Garden while completing our Holiday Scavenger Hunt. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Holiday Handbell Concert performance by the Brightwell Bells from Mainstreet United Methodist Church: Join us for a festive morning of music and merriment as the Bedford Central Library hosts a special Christmas Handbell Concert. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.
Holiday Paint Party: Tea Light Holders: Escape the holiday hustle and join Bedford Central Library for a relaxing afternoon of creative cheer. This workshop is designed for adults of all skill levels—absolutely no painting experience is required. 3-5 p.m.
Concert at the Bower Center: Christmas Cabaret with a twist. Tickets on sale now. 6 p.m.
The Christmas List: A WWII Christmas Story: The Christmas List is a touching WWII-era story of sacrifice, hope, and the enduring power of love, inspired in part by the bravery of Virginia’s own Bedford Boys. 7 p.m.
Danielle Gray: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Bob Schneider & Steve Poltz: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Dec. 14, 2025
Live music: At Harvest Moon Marketplace. 1-5 p.m.
The Christmas List: A WWII Christmas Story: The Christmas List is a touching WWII-era story of sacrifice, hope, and the enduring power of love, inspired in part by the bravery of Virginia’s own Bedford Boys. 2 p.m.
Dec. 18, 2025
Bower After Hours: Holiday Party: Don your ugliest Christmas sweater and join us for a night of holiday cheer, music, and good company. 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 19, 2025
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
SupaFly: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 20, 2025
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.
Marie Anderson: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Supafly Five: Live music at Hot Shots Bar & Grill. 7:30-10:30 p.m.
ZOSO: Live music at The Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount. 8 p.m.
Dec. 26, 2025
Try Before You Buy: Free wine tastings at SML Fine Wines. 4-7 p.m.
Trivia Night: At Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 27, 2025
Karlee Raye: Live music at Mango’s Bar & Grill. 7 p.m.
Did we miss any events? Email us the details!
Andie Gibson
CO-PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Andie has been covering Smith Mountain Lake since 2000 for a variety of publications, including the SML Visitor and Newcomer Guide, SML HOME Magazine, The Roanoker 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.
