Home for the Holiday – Naughty List Edition
We’re mixing up our traditional “Home for the Holiday” guide this year, to offer a curated selection of merry-making events for the spirited soul who wants to kiss under the mistletoe and just barely escape the naughty list.😜 We’re not gonna list out every single thing you can do in the Roanoke Region, we’re just offering ONE OPTION (one might argue the best option) for the localities found within the Roanoke Region.
There are plenty of wonderful and thorough lists of things to do while visiting the area, Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge is a good one or try Roanoke Rambler for a week-by-week schedule. But only use this list, if you’re feeling frisky.
The Roanoke Region includes Alleghany County, Covington, Botetourt County, Franklin County, Roanoke County, City of Roanoke, Salem, and Vinton! So, buckle up for a jubilant adventure that will take you across the merry mountain metro we call home.
🎅 Look for the Secret Santa emoji, for festivities we’re not going to miss. But shhh don’t tell anyone.
Let The Show Begin!
We gotta kick you off with a little fa la la – with live music, shows, and performances that will fill your eardrums with love and joy. There are seriously almost 100 different acts happening between now and New Year’s Day, from breweries to music venues, Nutcrackers, choirs, Elf the Musical, country, rock, hip-hop, blue-grass, line-dancing – you name it the Roanoke Region’s playing it this holiday season. But again, we’re highlighting ONE kick a#$ show in every locality.
Dec. 7-17: Lost in Yonkers, Showtimers Community Theater (Roanoke County)
Dec. 15: Sexbruise? A Christmastime Spectacular, 5 Points Music Sanctuary (City of Roanoke)
🎅 Dec. 15: Bella’s Bartok – Free Live Show, Parkway Brewing Company (City of Salem)
Dec 16. Cherry Poppin Daddies Tiki Xmas, The Harvester (Franklin County – Rocky Mount)
Dec. 17: Shenandoah Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker, Historic Masonic Theatre (Alleghany)
Dec. 17: Christmas Storytime with Santa, Twin Creeks Brewing Co. (Vinton)
Dec 7-17: A Christmas Carol, Attic Productions, Fincastle (Botetourt County)
🎁 BONUS GIFT: Dec. 16: The Hustler’s Ball, Corinthian Ballroom (Downtown Roanoke) – These guys are so fun!
It’s Time for Holiday Cheer! Don’t Worry, We Mean Dranks.
With nearly 50 breweries, dozens of wineries, and craft cocktails galore it can be hard to choose just one place from each locality to get your jollies on, but that’s what we’re here for. Do to do the hard work! We’ll taste every delicious cocktail in town if we have to!
Dec. 13: Holiday Open House, Wine Gourmet (Roanoke County)
Dec. 19: Bingo with Santa, Town Center Tap House (Daleville-Botetourt County)
Dec. 20: Christmas Trivia, Living Proof Beer Company (Franklin County)
Dec. 23: Festivus Party, Twin Creeks Brewing Co. (Town of Vinton)
Dec. 23: Christmas Wagon Holiday Spectacular!, Olde Salem Brewing Company (City of Salem)
🎅 Now through Dec. 31: Miracle Pop-Up Bar at Stellina (City of Roanoke)
Now and forever (not an event): Let’s Be Honest, This is Where Everyone Goes to Drink, Jack Mason’s Tavern (Clifton Forge/Alleghany)
🎁 BONUS GIFT: Dec. 15 – Don’t miss our Q4 Networking Social + Swoon Exhibit at the Taubman Museum of Art (It’s free!)
The Sports Lover/Outdoor Enthusiast Mini-Guide to Making It Through the Holidays
Let’s be honest. Making it through weeks at home for the holidays can have its challenges. So having some ways to get out and blow off some steam, is a must-have. Whether you prefer to do the activities yourself, or you’re more of a spectator – we’re gonna get you out of the house and onto the turf, or ice, or turfy ice – it’s a metaphor, people.
🎅 Dec. 1-Jan. 6: Holiday Ice Skating, Lancelot Sports Complex (Town of Vinton)
Dec. 15: NCAA Stagg Bowl, Division III Football National Championship, Salem Civic Center (City of Salem)
Dec. 15: Santa Fun Run (6pm), Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department (Fincastle/Botetourt County)
Dec. 16, 23, 29, 30, 31: Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, Berglund Center (City of Roanoke)
Dec. 17: M&M Mountain Bike Ride, Bennett Springs Parking Area of Carvins Cove (Roanoke County/City of Roanoke)
Jan 1: 31st Annual Polar Bear Ski Day, Smith Mountain Lake Water Ski Club (Moneta, Franklin County)
Anytime: Bike the Jackson River Scenic Trail (Alleghany County)
Anytime: Greenfield Disc Golf Course (Botetourt County)
🎁 Looking for more fun runs, bike rides, ski shuttles, hikes, e-bike tours, and outdoor adventures? Check out RoanokeOutside.com daily event calendar.
But It’s So Sparkly
We can’t look away. It might be basic, but it’s hard to turn down an epic display of lights around the holidays. So if you haven’t checked that box off already, then grab something furry (preferably a clothing item), get bundled up, and head out to one of the region’s top jubilees of light. Yes, we said jubilee.
🎅Nov. 18-Dec. 30: Illuminights, Explore Park (Roanoke County)
Nov. 23- Dec. 23: Land of Lights, Franklin County Recreation Park (Rocky Mount/Franklin County)
Dec. 1- Jan. 1: Botetourt Tinsel Trail, Historic Downtown Fincastle (Botetourt County)
Nov. 23-Jan. 1: Fashions for Evergreens, The Hotel Roanoke (City of Roanoke)
Dec. 16: Iron Gate Christmas Parade (11am), Town of Iron Gate (Alleghany County)
Dec. 20: Parade of Trees with Santa, Vinton War Memorial (Vinton/Roanoke County)
🎁 Dec. 18: 8th Annual Grandin Holiday Lights Extravaganza – Enjoy the lights and a little exercise with a family-friendly run/walk.
If You’re Feeling Reeeal Christmasy – But You Wanna Try Something Different
Sometimes you’re just feeling extra. And if the weird sensation you have right now is one of extra Christmasy, well then we’ve got that covered too. Grab your sleigh bells and head to one of these drippingly joyous holiday events.
Dec 4-17: Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas, Ferrum College (Franklin Co)
Dec. 15: Christmas Movie Night: The Santa Clause, Salem Memorial Ballpark (City of Salem)
Dec. 7-17: A Christmas Carol, Attic Productions, Fincastle (Botetourt County)
Dec. 16: December Holiday Market, Daleville Town Center (Botetourt County) – If you still need to do some shopping.
Dec. 20: Elf Movie Night & Ugly Sweater Party, Pollard 107 (Vinton/Roanoke County)
Now ‘Till Dec. 23: Elf the Musical, Mill Mountain Theater (City of Roanoke)
Dec. 29: Madrigal Dinner, Alleghany Highland Arts Council – Think medieval traditions of harp, wassail, figgy pudding. Must call for seats, that’s how medieval we’re talking. 540-926-ARTS (2787) (Alleghany County)
Three, Two, One – Happy New Year!!!
Just envision in your mind’s eye – that sound those cheap, rollie noisemakers make. Doesn’t it just make you want to get all dressed up and hit the town? Don’t need to tell you the date for all these, because you’re smart. But check out our sneaky Santa for a three-day live music extravaganza with one awesome band. Snag tickets now!
Hotel Roanoke is THE place for a swanky night in the city, and they have several different options if you’re looking for a full meal or just a party. But there are also some casual daytime options at breweries if you’re not a night owl. Either way, you’ve got options to ensure you celebrate National Hangover Day.
Fincastle Ringing of the Bells, Historic Fincastle (Botetourt County)
Preceptor Omicron’s New Year’s Eve Gala Celebration, Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (City of Roanoke)
Jack Mason’s New Year’s Eve Party (Alleghany County)
🎅 Dec 29, 30, & 31: 49 Winchester with Brennan Edwards, The Harvester (Franklin County)
NYE 2024: Spectrum + Willow Hill, Rosie’s Gaming and Colonial Downs (Vinton)
Mason’s Creek at Parkway Brewing Company – Daytime New Year’s Eve Outing (City of Salem)
(Roanoke County)
🎁 BONUS: Downtown Roanoke Inc. has a great list of parties going on for New Year’s Eve.
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