This weekend in Roanoke, VA

Roanoke Valley Cars and Coffee’s annual Toys for Tots donation event is its final gathering of the season. Guests are asked to bring at least one new, unwrapped toy, and cash donations are also welcome. All donations go directly to The Roanoke Gri-NCH and Toys for Tots Marines to distribute to children in need for Christmas.

Discover Greek favorites in a cozy café atmosphere, with Greek coffee, pastries, and sweets. Browse a marketplace featuring imported wines, olive oil, pasta, feta, olives, and more, with offerings suited to the holiday season.

The Bedford Humane Society will offer Christmas antiques for sale at the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Market. Purchases support the animals of the Bedford Humane Society.

Celebrate the start of the holiday season at Bedford Farmers Market’s annual November market. Browse offerings from familiar artisans and farmers, along with new makers and bakers.

Cyclists of all kinds can browse, buy, sell, and trade bikes, parts, apparel, and accessories. Local bike shops, private sellers, and collegiate teams will offer gear for riders from beginners to seasoned racers. The marketplace also features a bake sale, music, and a chance to support the next generation of mountain bikers.

Enjoy a free, family-friendly alpaca experience featuring hundreds of alpacas from farms across the country. Browse alpaca-related vendors for Christmas gifts and other seasonal needs.

Explore a relaxed, hands-on approach to preserving family photographs, stories, recipes, and memorabilia in meaningful scrapbook pages. Some materials will be available for creating a page and trying scrapbooking, and examples, resource information, and memory-preservation ideas will be shared. No prior experience is needed. Two members of Downsizers Club will offer guidance based on their scrapbooking experience. Participants may bring original photographs or copies, with no more than 25 images, and choose a story or memory to preserve. The workshop will also discuss interest in making this a recurring activity. Hosted by Home with Heart.

Browse a selection of handcrafted goods from local vendors at Ferrum’s annual Holiday Craft Bazaar. It’s a chance to find unique gifts and get a head start on Christmas shopping.

Browse books, DVDs, and CDs at the book sale. Fill a provided paper grocery bag for $5. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Library.

Spend a fun day swapping puzzles rather than selling them, connecting with fellow puzzle enthusiasts, and building a 2,000-piece puzzle together. The gathering aims to help participants find new puzzles for the fall and winter months. SML Coffee House, a locally owned business, will host the event, with coffee and snacks available. The event is co-sponsored by The Current SML and the Southwest VA Jigsaw Puzzle Community.

Celebrate the season of Thanksgiving at the 4th Annual Breath of Life Midwifery Fall Festival in Roanoke, VA. Families can explore offerings from 20 registered vendors featuring goods, services, information, and treats, with some activities available for purchase. The first 100 families receive a complimentary swag bag that includes information, samples, coupons, and 20 tickets for the free raffle. Children can enjoy two free bounce houses and take part in interactive demonstrations, and there will be at least 20 items awarded in the free raffle. Face painting and fall mini photo sessions are available for a fee. Optional pre-registration is offered.

Learn Korean while exploring Korean culture, traditions, and connections with Wonju, South Korea. Sponsored by the William Byrd High School International Club in collaboration with the Roanoke Valley Sister Cities – Wonju Committee and Vinton WorldTrekkers, the classes welcome students and community members at different experience levels. The first session combines introductory and beginner instruction to help determine the best placement for each participant.

Shop at Golden Shoestring Consignment and support animals in need in the Roanoke Valley. A portion of the store’s earnings will benefit the Roanoke Valley SPCA, and pet food donations will also be collected. Shopping or donating helps support the animals and a local business.

Get a start on your holiday shopping while supporting local small businesses. Browse offerings from a variety of confirmed vendors, including makers, food businesses, a mobile book shop, and a pet-sitting service. A raffle featuring gift baskets will also be held.

Open to children, teens, and adults of all experience levels, these skating sessions help participants build confidence and strong fundamentals in a safe, supportive environment led by certified coaches. Rental skates are included with registration. Helmets are not provided, but are strongly encouraged for beginner skaters.

Enjoy free tabletop and board gaming at the Bedford Central Library. Bring a game to share or join an open table to play a game brought by someone else. Drop in when you can, whether you come with a friend or on your own. There will be someone ready to play either way.

Compete in a Riftbound Radiance Summoner Skirmish featuring 1v1 Constructed matches played best of three. The tournament uses Swiss rounds followed by a top cut, with participation limited to 32 players. Prizes include store credit and Top 8 promos for top finishers, with the champion also receiving a playmat and a Round 1 bye at a Regional Qualifier. All participating players receive a participation promo. Entry is $15.

Celebrate Dragon Bite’s second birthday with Dragon Bite and friends made along the way. Friends will have their wares for sale on the lawn, offering a chance to shop local and get started on holiday gifts. Plans are still in progress, with more information to come.

Chaos Corner brings a paint-splatter experience to Dragon Bite Books & Crafts. For $30 per person, spend 30 minutes making a colorful mess and create your own artwork. Twenty appointment slots are available, with walk-ins welcome if space allows.

The DSAR Buddy Walk brings the community together to celebrate inclusion and support individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Participants can fundraise, compete for top fundraiser prizes, take part in a silent auction and raffles, and connect local service providers with the community. Funds raised help provide programs, resources, and support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Compete in a deck limited format with three Swiss rounds. The top 10 leaders are banned, and the list may change, so check with staff if you are unsure which leaders are currently prohibited. Entry is $5, with booster packs or store credit available as prizes.

Take part in a weekly Yu-Gi-Oh! tournament featuring Swiss rounds based on attendance. Players receive OTS packs for participating and a booster pack for each win. Most weeks, entry is $5, though specialty events may take its place.

Enjoy an afternoon of bingo, prizes, and refreshments, sponsored by Friends of the Moneta SML Library.

Learn about the pelvic floor and its role in everyday activities, yoga, strength training, and other forms of exercise. Chelsea Liller of Blue Ridge Pelvic Health will explain why these muscles matter and how to engage them during movement and exercise. The workshop is free and open to the Roanoke community, and no YogaSix membership is required.

Compete in a weekly Pokémon Standard Format tournament. Entry is $5, and players in the junior division can participate for free. The tournament uses Swiss pairings based on attendance, with prizes awarded according to final record. Players receive a Promo Pack for playing. Specialty events, including Cups, Challenges, and prereleases, may occasionally take the place of this tournament.

Bark in the Park is a community fundraiser benefiting Friends of Bedford County Animal Shelter and the Community Pet Coalition. Enjoy a pet photo booth, demonstrations, pet-themed art activities, games for children, dog-friendly vendors and community organizations, giveaways, and opportunities to meet local animal welfare groups. People with dogs, those interested in adoption, and anyone who loves animals are welcome. Admission is free, and donations supporting local animal organizations are encouraged. Dogs must stay leashed, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

Explore the Sun, Moon, and Rising signs as a starting point for understanding your natal chart in this workshop led by a certified advanced astrologer. The session draws on Traditional Astrology, also known as Ancient or Hellenistic Astrology, and includes an introduction to astrological houses and the areas of life they represent. Astrology offers a framework for considering patterns in your psyche and behavior, and how they relate to life’s complexities. The workshop is suitable for beginners and those with more astrology experience, and includes a 20-minute individual follow-up reading with the instructor via Zoom.

Explore questions of time, data, ancestry, and personal experience through works by contemporary artists Veronica Jackson, Annette Lawrence, and LaRissa Rogers. The exhibition considers whose stories are told, who is remembered, and what information is counted and recorded. Curator Samantha Meyer offers a closer look at the artists’ themes and creative processes. Guided tours are free and open to the public.

Learn about Larkin Burwell, William Keaton, and Ellis Kile, three Black Union Army veterans buried in East Hill North Cemetery. The Salem Museum’s lecture, delivered by assistant director Hunter Haskins, shares details about their lives and service in United States Colored Troops regiments during the Civil War. After the talk, visitors are invited to explore two exhibits: one examines slavery in Salem and the Roanoke Valley through Emancipation, and the other highlights the challenges, achievements, and institutions of Salem’s Black communities in the century after Emancipation.

Take part in a Digimon weekly event featuring three rounds of Swiss play. Entry is $5, and participants receive a booster pack for each win. Specialty events may replace the weekly event.

The Smith Mountain Lake Lions Club fundraiser features dinner followed by a performance by the SML Boomer Band. Proceeds benefit the Lions Club scholarship fund and the Northern Lights Alaska Kids Outreach program.

New Standard blends influences from traditional artists, contemporary bluegrass, and gospel. Founded by Virginia Tech students, the band has performed at local restaurants, festivals, and venues across the Blue Ridge. The group has also written original songs, including material featured on its release “One More Tear.”

Nashville troubadours Allen Thompson, Lilly Winwood, Lilly Hiatt, Jon Latham, and Rachel Cole, backed by The Floorboards, celebrate Todd Snider and his heartfelt, plainspoken songwriting.

Happy Hearts Dance offers a friendly social dance centered on music, movement, and genuine connection. The event welcomes everyone. Admission is $10 per person, and concessions will be available for purchase.

Enjoy live music from Marie Anderson at the inside bar, where you can request your favorite songs.

LouD brings high-energy, multi-genre covers with musical and lyrical twists on familiar hits. The band performs songs associated with Bruno Mars, Usher, 3 Doors Down, Prince, Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Phil Collins, Metallica, Alice in Chains, and more.

Enjoy live music and dancing, with a light dinner provided. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

The Ryan Greer Band performs at Pok-E-Joe's BBQ Vinton with a sound that blends blues and Appalachian soul. The live set combines original songs with familiar favorites, offering both fresh material and tunes many listeners will recognize.

Explore movement, recovery, nutrition, and wellness businesses from the Roanoke Valley in one place. Meet local practitioners, try their offerings, and learn what services are available close to home. Entry is free, and all ages are welcome.

Relax and recharge with a yoga class led by local artist and instructor Bonny Branch in the museum’s atrium. Bring your own mat. Admission is $10 for the public, $5 for museum members and youth, and free for museum volunteers. Classes take place outside normal museum hours.

Yoga returns to Parkway Brewing with Laura of Uttara Yoga in Roanoke leading a Sunday morning flow.

Take part in a competitive Magic: The Gathering Standard Regional Championship Qualifier. The entry fee is $25, and Spellemental players will be judged.

Bring a bagged or wrapped duck-themed gift valued at $10 or more. Each gift earns a ticket, and you may bring more than one. When a ticket is drawn, its holder can choose an unopened gift or steal one that has already been opened. Gifts can be stolen twice before they are frozen. Once all gifts are open, the person with the first ticket may keep their gift or take any other gift, including one that has been frozen.

Enjoy a free Commander hangout and meet new friends to play with, along with some friendly cardboard rivals. Please sign in with Magic Companion when you arrive. Table flipping is not allowed.

Enjoy a variety of oysters, including raw oysters on the half shell, roasted oysters, and Rockefeller-style oysters. Oyster shooters are available upon request, alongside fall beers on tap and $5 mimosas and Bloody Marys. Choose a seat indoors to watch NFL football on the big screens or relax outdoors on one of the two patios. Oysters are available while supplies last, and the regular and brunch menus are also available.

The MAMC Crawling Center opens its course for anyone interested in testing and tuning their rigs or simply enjoying some crawl time. Entry is $5 per person. Please avoid parking in front of the store and do not block the driveways leading to the garages. Heaters or fans will be available as needed. Indoor pit space is limited but includes outlets for charging, and, weather permitting, setup outside in the driveway is welcome. If the garage door is closed, knock or gently lift it to come inside.

Take part in a weekly constructed One Piece event with a $5 entry fee and four rounds of Swiss play. Players receive a promo pack for participating, plus a booster pack or store credit for each win. This is the standard weekly event and may be replaced by a prerelease or another special One Piece event. Cards for your deck may be available to order ahead for pickup at the event.

The Dock Wizards deliver a lively musical journey across genres, with great songs, extended jams, and plenty of fun. Featuring Dave Owens on guitar and vocals, Tony Wright on piano and organ, Billy Dodl on harp and vocals, Tim Echols on bass and vocals, and Dannie Snyder on drums, the group brings a wide variety of music to enjoy. Get ready to dance, sing along, or both.

A relaxed, supportive circle offering Reiki in a calm, welcoming setting. Everyone is welcome, including those new to Reiki, and it provides a low-pressure opportunity to experience it. You are welcome to bring a friend.

Take part in a Cardfight!! Vanguard draft featuring Parallactic Fate. Players compete in Swiss rounds based on attendance, with $5 in store credit awarded for each win. Promos and packs from the new set may also be given out as additional prizes or door prizes.

Play three rounds of Swiss in this weekly constructed event. Entry is $5, with a booster pack awarded per win and a gem pack for participating.

Welcome autumn and prepare for the Christmas holidays with a concert at Bethlehem United Methodist Church. Everyone is invited, and refreshments will be served afterward.

Play three rounds of Swiss in this weekly Gundam Card Game event. Entry is $5, with a booster pack or store credit awarded for each win. Special events, including Newtype Challenges, Store Championships, and Prerelease events, may replace or delay the weekly event. The store also carries Gunpla and may have cards for your deck available to check and order ahead.

Settle into a cozy, Noah Kahan-inspired evening featuring a restorative yoga practice and sound healing. Flannel, comfortable clothing, and a favorite blanket are welcome. Song requests and questions can be sent to the organizer.