The Roanoke Rambler

12/26/2025

Find the full calendar: https://www.roanokerambler.com/happenings-the-only-roanoke-events-calendar-youll-ever-need-week-of-12-24-25-to-12-31-25/

All weekend:
12/26 through 1/1, daily 2 to 4 p.m. — Kwanzaa Celebration at the Harrison Museum of African American Culture (2502 Melrose Ave).

Friday, Dec. 26
🎶5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: The Floorboards at
Parkway Brewing Company. (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem)
🎸6 p.m. — Live music: TJ Ellis at Twisted Track Brewpub. (523 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke)
🎵6:30 p.m. — Live music: Eric Wayne acoustic set at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke)
🎷8 p.m. — Live music: Phat Pocket Band at Rosie’s Gaming Emporium. (1135 Vineyard Rd., Vinton)
🎼10 p.m. — Live music: Chad Nickell & The Loose Change at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill. (413 1st St., Roanoke)

Saturday, Dec. 27
🪕1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Live music: The Grassholes Bluegrass Jam at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
🕺7 to 9 p.m. — Line Dancing with Angela at The Alley Cat. (335 S. Main St., Rocky Mount)
🏒7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Knoxville Ice Bears at the Berglund Center Coliseum. (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke)
🎶8 p.m. — Live music: Sicard Hollow w. Jacoozy at 5 Points Music Sanctuary. (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke)
🎤8 to 11 p.m. — Live music: Gar-Y-Oke (Karaoke) at Pok-E-Joe’s. (105 E. Washington Ave. Vinton)

Sunday, Dec. 28
🎄11:30 a.m. — Grinch Drag Bingo at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage. (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke)
🎙️1:30 to 4 p.m. — Live music: Sasha Landon at Parkway Brewing Company. (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem)
✨2 to 4 p.m. — Guitars Under the Star Guitar Pull presented by 3rd Street Coffee House at Mill Mountain Discovery Center. (2000 JB Fishburn Parkway. SE, Roanoke)
🎵4:30 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Sittin’ In with Robby featuring The Ambassador at Parkway Brewing Company. (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem)

12/24/2025

Families who have lost loved ones to gun violence gathered this month for FEDUP’s annual Christmas of Hope, an event that offers support and relief during the holidays. The nonprofit received a new level of community support this year as it strives to help those who have suffered from shootings in the city.

Read more: https://www.roanokerambler.com/christmas-event-brings-a-little-bit-of-hope-to-those-impacted-by-gun-violence-in-roanoke/?ref=the-roanoke-rambler-newsletter

12/22/2025

Two familiar faces are departing Roanoke City Hall as the local government grapples with stresses caused by employee turnover.

City Attorney Tim Spencer is retiring March 1 and Finance Director Margaret Lindsey’s last day was Monday.

Read more: https://www.roanokerambler.com/turnover-tension-grips-roanoke-city-hall-as-two-key-figures-depart/

12/20/2025

This year, The Roanoke Rambler became a host newsroom for Report for America and hired Sinclair Holian to cover segregation in its various facets.

Since joining us in July, Sinclair has reported on everything from neighborhood disparities in gun violence to Goodwill's new grocery store in a food desert. She has followed the city's attempts to apologize for urban renewal and she has created an interactive map showing how racial lines have changed here in the last 50 years.

Will you help Sinclair tell more stories in 2026? We need 100 readers to become sustaining members by the end of the year. https://www.roanokerambler.com/support-us/

12/19/2025

When a former Roanoke Valley state senator was in court this summer on a defamation claim, our managing editor, Todd Jackson, was the only journalist in the room.

Being in the room is what The Rambler does. But we can only do it so long without your help: We need 100 readers to become sustaining members before January.

Will you join your neighbors in supporting fearless, independent journalism?: https://www.roanokerambler.com/support-us/

12/19/2025

Our top picks from this week's events calendar!: https://www.roanokerambler.com/happenings-the-only-roanoke-events-calendar-youll-ever-need-week-of-12-17-25-to-12-24-25/

Friday, Dec. 19
🎄4 to 7 p.m. — Christmas at the Farm at the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum. (20 Museum Dr., Ferrum)
🌟5 to 9 p.m. — Holiday Late Nights: Night Three at the Taubman Museum of Art. (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke)
🥼6 p.m. — Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Walter S. Claytor at the Harrison Museum of African American Culture's new location. (2502 Melrose Ave. NW, Roanoke)
🐕6 to 10 p.m. — Dickens of a Christmas Night Three: Roanoke Valley SPCA Pet Costume Contest. (1 Market Sq., Roanoke)
🪩7 p.m. — Live music: Grooves & Goods with Femme Fatales Vinyl Club at The Spot on Kirk. (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke)

Saturday, Dec. 20
🎅10:15, 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. — Songs & Stories with Santa (formerly Fantasyland) at the Taubman Museum of Art. (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke)
🐈‍⬛11 a.m. — Angels of Assisi Mega Adoption Event at the Berglund Center. (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke)
🎊6 p.m. — The Hustler’s Ball: Not Your Average Gala: An Evening of Excellence at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke).
💃8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Salsa Noke: Holiday Pajamas Dance Party at The Spot on Kirk. (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke)
🎅8 p.m. — Inaugural Santa Con at Corned Beef & Co. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke)

Sunday, Dec. 21
🧘‍♀️11 a.m. to noon — Yoga with BodyMindSoul Yoga at Parkway Brewing Company. (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem)
🎵1 p.m. — Live music and storytelling: The Santa Cares Experience at 5 Points Music Sanctuary. (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke)
🎸3 p.m. — Live music: Sittin’ In with Robbie ft. Chad Nickell at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage. (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke)
🎻3 and 7 p.m. — Live music: Vienna Light Orchestra at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre. (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke)
🎤6 to 9 p.m. — Christmas Carol Karaoke with DJ Rob at Atheling Meadworks. (123 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke)

12/18/2025

The Roanoke Rambler works for you. Now we need your help: We're seeking 100 readers to become sustaining members by the end of the year.

Will you help us keep telling stories without fear or favor? Become a supporting member today: https://www.roanokerambler.com/support-us/

12/18/2025

On Monday, Roanoke’s Equity and Empowerment Advisory Board presented a draft apology for urban renewal, a series of development projects that bulldozed the majority Black communities of Northeast and Gainsboro.

If approved, the apology would establish a reparations fund for individuals and their families who suffered financial losses as a result of urban renewal.

Read more: https://www.roanokerambler.com/roanoke-weighs-reparations-fund-as-council-warms-to-urban-renewal-apology/

12/17/2025

Roanoke is paying a lobbying firm $6,000 a month plus other potential expenses to pursue a casino license for the city — despite opposition that shows no signs of letting up.

Two Capitols Consulting’s contract with the city began Sept. 22, about three weeks before city officials announced a plan to remake the Berglund Center into a casino and entertainment district.

Read more:

The city will need to beat long odds at the moment to get a casino license.

12/15/2025

Just three months after Roanoke’s federal building was officially renamed for civil rights lawyer Reuben E. Lawson, his name disappeared from a backdrop in front of the courthouse.

Read more: https://www.roanokerambler.com/roanoke-federal-courthouse-was-renamed-for-civil-rights-leader-reuben-lawson-then-his-name-disappeared/

12/12/2025

Check out our top picks from this week’s Happenings calendar!:

Friday, Dec. 12
🖌️ 5 to 9 p.m. — Holiday Late Nights at the Taubman Museum of Art. (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke)
🎄6 to 10 p.m. — Dickens of a Christmas Night Two: City of Roanoke Christmas Parade. (1 Market Sq., Roanoke)
🕵️ 6:30 p.m. — Tacky Holiday Sweater Murder Mystery at The Claiborne House Inn and Retreat. (185 Claiborne Ave., Rocky Mount)
🎷 7 p.m. — Live music: Holiday Brass presented by Roanoke Symphony Orchestra at Cave Spring United Methodist Church. (4505 Hazel Dr., Roanoke)
🎶8 p.m. — Live music: Gangstagrass at The Spot on Kirk. (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke)

Saturday, Dec. 13
🎅 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Grinchmas at the Science Museum of Western Virginia. (1 Market Sq., Roanoke)
🎁 2 to 6 p.m. — Artists & Artisans Market at The Bibliopub. (416 Campbell Ave. SW, Roanoke)
🧙‍♂️ 6 to 10 p.m. — Yule Ball at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage. (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke)
🎵8 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Live music: Colby T. Helms Homestead Jam w. Trey Hensley, Josh Gooding, Ettore Buzzini, The VA Creepers at 5 Points Music Sanctuary. (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke)
🎤 10 p.m. — Live music: Drew Foust & The Wheelhouse at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill. (413 1st St., Roanoke)

Sunday, Dec. 14
☃️ 10 a.m. — The Holiday Spectacular presented by Leap Performing Arts Company at the Grandin Theatre. (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke)
🏠 1 to 6 p.m. — Free Holiday Open House at the Historic Fishburn Mansion. (714 13th St. SW, Roanoke)
🎸 2 p.m. — Guitars Under the Star presented by 3rd Street Coffee House at Mill Mountain Discovery Center. (2000 J.B. Fishburn Pkwy)
❄️ 2 p.m. — Winter Solstice Gathering presented by Roanoke Church of the Wild at Happy Hollow Gardens Park. (6697 Mount Chestnut Rd., Roanoke)
🪕 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Mason Creek Bluegrass at Parkway Brewing Company. (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem)

Find even more events here:

Check out our Happenings for places to go over the next week.

12/11/2025

As a new year approaches, tensions remain over the aging debate of a bold Roanoke zoning overhaul to try to increase housing options. As the issue plays out, it could become part of another city council election.

Read more: https://www.roanokerambler.com/roanoke-zoning-debate-isnt-over-and-could-seep-into-2026-council-race/