Destination Bedford

Strongest of the Blue Ridge Competition
2025-11-15 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | The Meadery at Graham Ordinary, 8578 Peaks Rd, Bedford, Virginia, 24523
Get ready to witness incredible feats of strength at Strongest of the Blue Ridge, hosted at The Meadery at Graham Ordinary.
This exciting competition will bring together men and women to test their power, endurance, and grit across a series of challenging events. Participants will take on unique strength tests like the Log Bench Press, Paul’s Stones of North, the Chain of Pain, and a Tug o’ War showdown, with a suitcase grip hold serving as the ultimate tie-breaker.
Two divisions-men’s and women’s- will compete for the title of the Strongest of the Blue Ridge, along with great prizes and bragging rights. Whether you’re competing or cheering from the sidelines, this is an unforgettable event celebrating raw strength and community spirit in the heart of the Blue Ridge.
To register for the competition, click here.
Free admission for spectators, so come enjoy some mead and cheer on the competitors!

Central VA Card Collective Card Show
2025-11-15 12:00 - 17:00 | Apocalypse Ale Works, 1257 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Card collectors and craft beer fans, this one’s for you! Spend an afternoon buying, selling, and trading sports cards and TCGs (Pokémon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh! and more) in the taproom at Apocalypse Ale Works.
What to expect
• vendors featuring vintage and modern sports, Pokémon, and other TCG singles, slabs, and sealed product
• Friendly trading environment for collectors of all ages
• Fresh brewery pours available for purchase from the bar
Good to know
• All trading is peer-to-peer—bring your binders, cases, and top loaders
• Cash and digital payments accepted at most tables (vendor policies vary)
• Family-friendly atmosphere; 21+ to purchase alcohol
• Free parking on site
Vendors / Traders
Interested in setting up a table or bringing a showcase? Fill out this google form! https://forms.gle/FVrn5nwwf1kyhSz26
Come discover grails, fill set gaps, and meet fellow collectors, cheers to great pulls and great pours!

Live Music at Drifter's
2025-11-15 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-16 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-22 14:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-23 14:00 - 17:00 | Drifter’s, 1617 Crystal Shores Drive, Moneta, VA, 24121
Live music on the water front! Enjoy the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake, great food and awesome music! Click here to see who is playing each week.

Christmas in the Country
2025-11-15 14:30 - 17:30 | Mountain View Vintage Market, 1064 Precious Memories Lane, Bedford, VA, 24523
Want to get in the holiday spirt? Shop over 20 vendors inside the two barns at Mountain View! Live music at both barns. Hungry, don’t worry, they will have two food trucks, a coffee truck and a sweets vendor.
Click here for tickets and to choose your time slot.

Little Town Players "The Diary of Anne Frank"
2025-11-15 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-11-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Little Town Players, 931 Ashland Avenue, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Experience the powerful drama The Diary of Anne Frank as Little Town Players celebrates 50 years of live community theatre at Bedford’s historic Fred Harper Theater.
Fri. Nov 7th 2025, 7:30 pm
Sat. Nov 8th 2025, 7:30 pm
Sun. Nov 9th 2025, 2:00 pm
Fri. Nov 14th 2025, 7:30 pm
Sat. Nov 15th 2025, 7:30 pm
Sun. Nov 16th 2025, 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.

Christmas Open House at Peddler Antiques
2025-11-16 13:00 - 17:00 | Peddler Antiques, 1165 Burnbridge Rd., Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Shop lots of beautiful antiques and Christmas décor at the Christmas open house at Peddler Antiques!

Live Music @ Beacon Seafood Pub
2025-11-16 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-23 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!

Exhibit at the Bower Center
2025-11-18 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-11-19 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-11-20 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-11-21 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-11-22 11:00 - 15:00 | Bower Center for the Arts, 305 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
The Bower Center for the Arts is currently showcasing the Bedford County Elementary School Student Exhibit. Free admission. Click here for more information.

Apocalypse Trivia Night
2025-11-19 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-26 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!

Music Bingo
2025-11-20 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!

Friday Field Days with Poplar Forest Archaeology
2025-11-21 13:30 - 15:00 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Join Poplar Forest’s Department of Archaeology and Landscapes every Friday at 1:30 PM through November 21 for an in-depth look into their current excavations and what they are learning about the people who lived in and around the 1857 Slave Dwelling. While the 1857 Slave Dwelling was built after Jefferson’s lifetime, it is historically important as it is the only original dwelling built for enslaved people still standing on the property. As part of the 1857 Slave Dwelling Restoration Project’s efforts to stabilize, research, and restore this structure with the community, we invite you to visit our archaeologists to see what they are finding and learning about the people who lived here.
Friday Field Days are included with regular admission which can be purchased in advance here. Admission to the property includes either a docent-guided or self-guided tour of Jefferson’s retreat home, access to exhibits in the lower level and wing of offices of the villa retreat, and outdoor exhibits throughout the property.

Forest Farmer's Market
2025-11-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Forest Farmers Market, 15583 Forest Road, Forest, VA, 24523, United States
The Forest Farmer’s Market is held each Saturday morning behind the Forest Public Library. The Market features farmers and artisans selling a variety of items including plants, meats, produce, soaps, lotions, coffee, baked goods and more!

Pet Photos with Santa
2025-11-22 10:00 - 13:00 | Tractor Supply, 1128 East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Santa Photos with the Bedford Humane Society
Get your holiday photos taken with Santa while supporting a great cause!
For just $15, you’ll receive:
A professional photo with Santa (pets or kids welcome!)
A printed photo to take home the same day
An edited digital copy sent to you afterward
Bring your furry friends or little ones to sit on Santa’s lap and capture a memory that will last a lifetime. All proceeds benefit the animals of the Bedford Humane Society.
Tractor Supply Co.
1128 E Lynchburg Salem Turnpike, Bedford, VA 24523
Dates & Times:
Saturday, November 22 | 10 AM – 1 PM
Sunday, December 7 | 12 PM – 3 PM
Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the season, create special memories, and help us continue saving lives, building families.

Holiday Market in Montvale
2025-11-22 10:00 - 14:00 | Montvale Rec Club
Come shop over 20 local vendors at the Holiday Market in Montvale! This will be located at the Montvale Rec Club.

Holiday Stop & Shop
2025-11-22 10:00 - 15:00 | Moneta Library, 13641 Moneta Rd
You’re invited to the 1st Annual Holiday Stop & Shop at the Moneta Library, where you’ll enjoy shopping for unique handcrafted items.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedication
2025-11-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Bedford County Courthouse, 123 East Main Street, Bedford, VA, 24523
All are invited to the dedication of the Bedford Vietnam Veterans Memorial on November 22, 2025. The dedication ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. in front of the Bedford County Courthouse on East Main Street. This is a rain or shine event. There will be some seating available, but you may wish to bring a chair.

Bands & Brerws
2025-11-22 13:00 - 22:00 | Apocalypse Ale Works, 1257 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Bands and Brews: Fundraiser for M4K Lynchburg
Join Apocalypse Ale Works for a full day of live music, cold beer, and community fun — all in support of M4K Lynchburg!
Live Music All Day
Enjoy an incredible lineup of local talent:
• Christian Q — 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Ben Reade — 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Open Mic hosted by Troy Coleman — 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Bring your friends, bring your voice, and enjoy great music from start to finish!
⸻
Drink & Shop for a Cause
Apocalypse Ale Works is proud to support M4K Lynchburg with special fundraiser contributions all day long:
• $1 donated per draft of Upper Lip PrePro Lager
• $1 donated per 6-pack of Upper Lip
• $5 donated per case of Upper Lip
• $3 donated from every M4K Hat sold
Every sip (and hat!) helps support an amazing cause.
⸻
Come out, enjoy great brews and tunes, and help us raise money for M4K Lynchburg!

Festival of Trees
2025-11-24 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-25 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-26 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.
