Destination Bedford

Bower Center Exhibit
2026-01-15 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-14 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-13 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-10 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-09 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-08 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-07 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-01-06 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Come to the Bower Center for the Arts to view two new exhibits: Through the Lens II, An Invitational Exhibit and Andrea Wild: Caught In Old Lace Between the Stars & the Earth.
Gallery admission to view the exhibits is free!
The Bower Center is open Tuesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and both of these exhibits will be on display until January 24th.

Apocalypse Trivia Night
2026-01-14 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Apocalypse Ale Works, 1257 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Every week there will be a wide range of categories to enjoy while also drinking your favorite beer or seltzer water!

SML State Park Winter Lecture Series
2026-01-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Smith Mountain Lake Discovery Center, 1235 State Park Rd., Huddleston, VA, 24104, United States
Head over to the Smith Mountain Lake State Park for the 21st annual Winter Lecture Series presented by Friends of Smith Mountain Lake. Learn something new each month!

The Discovery Center
Single ticket: $10; Season ticket: $30 (includes parking)
Friends of SMLSP members: Single ticket: $8; Season ticket: $24 (includes parking)
Click here for more information on each months topic.

Live Music @ Beacon Seafood Pub
2026-01-11 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-04 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!

Live Music at Harvest Moon
2026-01-11 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-10 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!

Open Mic Night
2026-01-10 19:00 - 22:00 | Apocalypse Ale Works, 1257 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
📅This Saturday night, January 10th at 7pm
One of our local artists, Troy Coleman, is kicking off an exciting Open Mic Night—and everyone’s invited to take the stage! Musicians, comedians, poets, storytellers, and all creative acts are welcome.
🍺 Sip on your favorite Apocalypse Ale while cheering on local talent
🍔 Enjoy food by Bunker 42 Bar Bites
🎸 Sign-ups begin at 6:30 p.m. | Performances start at 7:00 p.m.
Bring your friends, grab a drink, and be part of the show!

Social Dance at Ramulose Ridge Vineyards
2026-01-10 18:00 - 21:00 | VA
Celebrate the New Year with music, movement, and great company at Ramulose Ridge Vineyards! Learn a step or two during a fun, beginner-intermediate dance lesson—first timers welcome—then jump right into social dancing.
🕕 6:00 p.m. Beginner–Intermediate Dance Lesson (No partner required)
🕖 6:45 p.m. Social Dancing begins
🎶 Enjoy a lively mix of music, from favorite English covers to energetic salsa classics.
🍷 Wine, 🍕 pizza, 🍹 sangrias, 🧀 charcuterie boards, and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
💵 $10 cover

Live Music @ Apocalypse Ale Works
2026-01-09 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-01-02 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!

Music Bingo
2026-01-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-01 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!

New Year Kick Off
2026-01-04 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-03 13:00 - 17:00 | Harvest Moon Marketplace, 14917 Moneta Rd, Moneta, VA, 24121, United States
Kick off the New Year and the 2026 Music Series at Harvest Moon Marketplace, Wine Garden & Tavern during the first weekend of January at Smith Mountain Lake. Enjoy live music in the Tavern with the rarely available Rarely Available Band on Saturday from 1–5 p.m., followed by Chris Hammock performing soft rock and classic favorites on Sunday from 1–5 p.m. Sip award-winning wines, beers, meads, ciders, and hot cider while indulging in hearty winter specials like chicken pot pie stew, clam chowder, and chili. Sip & shop in the Marketplace featuring alpaca apparel, Amish goods, holiday treats, and unique gifts, or enjoy festive favorites like Grinch milkshakes and peppermint twists. Sleigh rides, seasonal cocktails, farm tours, and stunning lake views make this a perfect winter weekend getaway in Moneta, Virginia.

Festival of Trees
2026-01-04 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-03 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-02 09:00 - 17:00 | Bedford Area Welcome Center, 816 Burks Hill Road, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Join us for the 17th Annual Festival of Trees: Small Town Christmas!
Experience the magic of the season at this beloved, family-friendly event featuring 40 beautifully decorated trees created by local businesses and organizations.
Vote for your favorites for just $1 per vote. All proceeds benefit local charitable organizations. (Please bring cash for voting.)
Kids will love the holiday scavenger hunt and coloring sheet designed by local artist Terri Foster.
📍 Location: Bedford Area Welcome Center
🕘 Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
🌟 Extended evening hours: December 5–7 and 12–14, until 8 p.m.
📅 Event ends: January 4, 2026
The Welcome Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day, so please plan your visit accordingly.
For more information, call (540) 587-5681.

Fae Moon Fantasy Ball
2026-01-03 19:00 - 23:00 | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Join The Meadery at Graham Ordinary and World Weavers Productions for an enchanting evening at the Bower Center for the Arts, inspired by the colorful worlds of Fantasy Literature. Grab your ball gown or fancy suit and don’t forget your wings as we mix formal with fantastical! Many local artists are gathering to make this a night to remember – and some are even coming from lands far away!
Click here for more information.

Train Exhibit at the Bedford Museum
2026-01-03 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-02 10:00 - 17:00 | Bedford Museum and Genealogical Library, 201 East Main Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Don’t miss this Christmas train display featuring landmarks of Bedford and much more! The trains are located on the 3rd floor of the Museum. Admission is $5, kids are free. A train pass is also available to purchase for only $10 in the Museum gift shop, which grants unlimited admission through December.

First Day Hike
2026-01-01 13:30 - 16:00 | Smith Mountain Lake State Park, 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, VA, United States
🎊 Start the New Year outdoors at Smith Mountain Lake State Park! 🌲🥾
Kick off January 1 with a refreshing ranger-led First Day Hike, a 1.3-mile moderate trek along portions of the Striper Cove and Walton Creek trails—perfect for beginning the year on the right foot.
📅 Thursday, Jan. 1
🕧 1:30–3 p.m.
After the hike, warm up at the Discovery Center New Year’s Day Open House with hot cocoa and treats! Learn about the history of Smith Mountain Lake and get a sneak peek at the exciting programs planned for 2026.
🕧 2:30–4 p.m.
🚗 Bonus: January 1 is a fee-free parking day, so it’s the perfect time to visit. Start your year with fresh air, learning, and lake views!
