Destination Bedford

Live Music at Portside
2026-05-07 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-08 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-09 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-10 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Portside Grill and Bar, 3619 Airport Rd., Moneta, VA, 24121, United States
Come to Portside Grill & Bar right on Smith Mountain Lake, for great food and live music! Click here to see who is playing!

Jefferson's Curiosities
2026-05-07 18:30 - 20:00 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA, 24551, United States
About the Series: Thomas Jefferson was a man of many varied interests. Join us at Jefferson’s “best dwelling house in the state” as we delve into topics he found particularly fascinating from travel to culinary, leadership to religion. Each talk in the series includes a wine and cheese reception following the presentation.
Tickets are $25/each or $100 for all five Curiosities Series talks
2026 Jefferson’s Curiosities Series Events:

Jefferson’s Travel through the Germanies (Travis McDonald): February 19, 2026 6:30 p.m.

What Made Jefferson a Great Leader? (Dr. John Ragosta): March 26, 2026 6:30 p.m.
Jefferson and Trist’s Wild Mississippi Scheme (Karen Chase): May 7, 2026 6:30 p.m.
Jefferson’s Curiosities: Hearth Cooking (Rachel Deddens): June 11, 2026 6:30 p.m.
Jefferson & Religion (Nathan Taylor): September 24, 2026 6:30 p.m.

Music Bingo
2026-05-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Apocalypse Ale Works, 1257 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
This is where the fun of bingo meets the excitement of your favorite tunes! Each round features hit songs across various genres, and you’ll mark your card to the beat. Win the coveted Music Bingo chain, gift cards, and of course, ultimate bragging rights! It’s a lively and unique way to enjoy great music, compete with friends, and score awesome prizes. Don’t miss the fun!

Give Me Liberty – VA250 Traveling Exhibition
2026-05-08 09:00 - 2026-06-08 17:00 | Bedford Area Welcome Center, 816 Burks Hill Road, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
“Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation” is the signature exhibition of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission and organized in partnership by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. It highlights Virginia’s pivotal, complex role in the Revolution through storytelling and the perspectives of diverse historical figures, including Thomas Jefferson, whose personal retreat can be visited and toured in Bedford County at Poplar Forest.
The Bedford Area Welcome Center is proud to host a special traveling banner exhibition in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Visitors are invited to experience the exhibit through June 8 at the Bedford Area Welcome Center, open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
The Bedford Area Welcome Center serves as a hub for travelers and residents seeking information about local attractions, dining, lodging, outdoor recreation, and community events. There is also a webpage highlighting local America 250 initiatives and commemorative partners. This can be found at DestinationBedfordVA.com/VA250. A dedicated Facebook page is available at BedfordVA250.

America’s 250th Anniversary Exhibit
2026-05-08 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-09 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-11 10:00 - 18:00 | Moneta Library, 13641 Moneta Rd
America’s 250th Anniversary Exhibit in the MOarts Gallery and Display Case
250 years ago, the founding fathers of the United States of America met in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence beginning the American Nation as we know it. Come to the Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Library to view our history as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence through a photo exhibit of historical documents and portraits related to the American Revolution and a display case of Revolutionary items that have been in use since that time.
The photos featured in this exhibit are curated from the Library of Congress and the Library of Virginia.
The exhibit may be viewed during regular library hours, April 1, 2026, through May 30, 2026.

The Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz Exhibition
2026-05-08 13:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-09 11:00 - 15:00 | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Legendary cartoonist Charles M. Schulz’s legacy is one of cultural influence through his beloved Peanuts comic strip and of humble service in World War II. His wartime experience left a lasting impression on him, so much so that he became the Capital Campaign Chair of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation from 1998 until his passing in 2000.
The National D-Day Memorial is proud to bring The Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz to the Bower Center for the Arts in Bedford, Virginia. The traveling exhibition, curated by the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California, U.S.A., explores Schulz’s personal history and his role as the sole inspiration and artistic talent behind the most successful comic strip in history.
Gallery admission is free.

Live Music & Food Truck at Fables & Feathers
2026-05-08 16:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-09 14:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-10 12:00 - 17:00 | Fables & Feathers Winery, 2117 Bruno Dr., Goodview, VA, 24095
Come to Fables and Feathers Winery for live music, great wine and beautiful views! Some days there will also be food trucks on site. Click here to see who is playing and which food truck will be on site!

Live Music at Benjamin’s
2026-05-08 18:00 - 21:00 | Benjamin’s Restaurant, 14900 Forest Rd., Forest, 24551, United States
Come to Benjamins for great food and live music every Friday! Click here to see who is playing each week.

Forest Friday Cheers
2026-05-08 18:00 - 22:00 | Apocalypse Ale Works, 1257 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Come to Apocalypse Ale Works for Forest Friday Cheers!
Live music, local vendors, food, and local craft beer.
Inflatable bounce pad for the kids, and other fun activities.
Free admission. Click here to see who is playing each week!

Live Music @ Apocalypse Ale Works
2026-05-08 19:00 - 22:00 | Apocalypse Ale Works, 1257 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Come to Apocalypse Ale Works for great beer and live music. For more information and to see who is playing each week, click here. Food by Bunker 42 Bar Bites will also be available for purchase!

Little Town Players presents Camelot
2026-05-08 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-05-09 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-05-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Little Town Players, 931 Ashland Avenue, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Experience the production of Camelot as Little Town Players celebrates over 50 years of live community theatre at Bedford’s historic Fred Harper Theater.
Fri. May 8th 2026, 7:30 pm
Sat. May 9th 2026, 7:30 pm
Sun. May 10th 2026, 2:00 pm
Fri. May 15th 2026, 7:30 pm
Sat. May 16th 2026, 7:30 pm
Sun. May 17th 2026, 2:00 pm
Doors open 30 minutes before start time.
Special Note: Because the theatre is a historical site, restrooms are not in the same building. Restrooms are available just across the way in the Elks Home Main Building.

Click here to purchase tickets.

Bedford Farmers Market
2026-05-09 08:00 - 12:00 | Bedford Farmers Market, Washington and Center Streets, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
The Bedford Farmers Market will have fresh produce, vegetables, baked goods, artisan crafts and a variety of Bedford and locally grown products! Free off-street parking. The market is open Every Saturday!
Click here to see which vendors will be on site each week!

Forest Farmers Market
2026-05-09 08:00 - 12:00 | Forest Farmers Market, 15583 Forest Road, Forest, VA, 24523, United States
Enjoy locally grown produce, meats, honey, flowers along with breads and local artisan goodies. You can also find breakfast sandwiches and a coffee truck most weeks. The market is open the last week in April until the last week in October every Saturday behind the Forest Library.

Emerson Creek Spring Market
2026-05-09 10:00 - 14:00 | Emerson Creek Pottery, 1068 Pottery Ln.
Join Emerson Creek Pottery for their 2026 Spring Market & Pottery Outlet Sale!
Date: Saturday, May 9th
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM (Vendors), Outlet Store open until 4pm
Come out and enjoy a fun-filled day of shopping, delicious food, and local vendors at Emerson Creek Pottery!
Here’s what you can look forward to:
Passport to Pottery Savings – Collect signatures from our vendors and unlock amazing discounts in our pottery outlet store!
Craft Vendors – Browse handcrafted goods from talented local artisans.
Food Vendors – Enjoy tasty treats from Hado’s Authentic Lebanese Kitchen
Shop for Mother’s Day – Bring your mom, grandma, aunts, sisters, and friends to find the perfect gift for the special women in your life!
Bring your family, friends, and pets for a delightful day of shopping, savings, food, and springtime cheer!

Mom's Day in the Park
2026-05-09 10:00 - 16:30 | Falling Creek Park, 1257 County Farm Road, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Treat the amazing moms in your life to a great day outside at Falling Creek Park!
This is a FREE event where you can do some Mothers Day shopping from dozens of local craft vendors & artisans, enjoy local musicians, food, drinks, activities, crafts, demonstrations, and more!

Live Music at Harvest Moon
2026-05-09 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-10 13:00 - 17:00 | Harvest Moon Marketplace, 14917 Moneta Rd, Moneta, VA, 24121, United States
Come see live music at Harvest Moon Marketplace! Click here to see who is playing this weekend!

Enjoy beer, wine, meads, ciders, and non-alcoholic drinks, along with delicious food and great shopping at the Marketplace. Free admission and free music!

Truck & Tractor Pull
2026-05-09 16:30 - 22:00 | Sims Farm, 2220 Harvest Lane, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Challenged Sports Exchange & Sims Events welcomes back this spring Dragon Motorsports Truck & Tractor Pull for a night of action packed fun on Saturday May 9th! Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets sold at the gate only! Cash only $20.00 per person Kids 5 & under free. Enjoy the beer garden and food vendors on site. No coolers allowed, NO PETS, lawn chairs welcome. Bring your whole family, all of your friends and get ready for an unforgettable night of horsepower and excitement!

Mother’s Day at Twin J Ranch
2026-05-10 10:00 - 14:00 | Twin J Ranch, 2478 Moneta Road, Bedford, VA, 24523
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Twin J Ranch with a fun-filled family day on the ranch from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Enjoy a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce house, arts and crafts, baby goat snuggles, bouquet building for Mom, and more. Admission is $5 plus tax, and moms get in free. Pony rides and bouquet building are available for an additional cost. Bring the whole family and make special memories together! For more information, call or text 540-874-6274 or email info@twinjranch.com

Live Music @ Beacon Seafood Pub
2026-05-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Beacon Seafood Pub at The Virginia Dare Marina, 3619 Airport Rd., Moneta, VA, 24121, United States
Come to Beacon Seafood Pub located at the Virginia Dare Marina at Smith Mountain Lake, and enjoy great food, drinks and live music! Click here to see who is playing each week!
