Destination Bedford

When We Went In: The D-Day Experience in Light and Sound
2026-06-06 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | National D-Day Memorial, 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford, VA, United States
It’s the immersive experience everyone is still talking about and asking to see again!
When We Went In, the National D-Day Memorial’s exclusive, nighttime masterpiece is back by popular demand with a new prelude to honor America’s 250th anniversary!
Created for the National D-Day Memorial by the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology at Virginia Tech – When We Went In is an immersive nighttime presentation that transforms the Memorial’s grounds into a stunning, multi-media sensory experience. Using the Memorial itself as the dramatic backdrop for the narrative, this outdoor show retells the story of the Normandy invasion through first-hand accounts of the men and women who lived through June 6, 1944, with authentic film footage, archival photographs, and wartime illustrations. The soundscape – from the roar of aircraft and gunfire to moments of solemn silence – delivered in surround-sound makes viewers feel as if they are in the throes of the historical moment and the triumph of eventual victory. The combined light-and-sound storytelling approach creates a vivid re-enactment of D-Day’s pivotal events, aiming to educate and emotionally engage the audience with the experiences of those who were there.
The show’s title comes from the first line of “Omaha Beach,” a poem by World War II veteran Peter Thomas. Thomas’s poetic account of landing at Omaha Beach acts as a thread connecting the entire narrative experience. Throughout the presentation, the words of participants – drawn from letters, oral histories, and diaries – give voice to the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and nurses of D-Day. Grounded in these true stories and memories, rather than fictional dramatization, When We Went In is as close as it gets to having lived D-Day.
When We Went In exceeded attendance estimates during its first run in June 2024, as part of the Memorial’s 80th anniversary of D-Day commemoration events. The intimate, shared experience connected with a modern audience while conveying the hope and fear that young participants felt on D-Day.
Click here for more information.

Live Music at Harvest Moon
2026-06-07 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-13 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-14 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-20 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-21 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-27 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-28 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-04 13:00 - 17:00 and 1 more date | 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!

Jefferson & Adams: A Stage Play
2026-06-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Join Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest as they welcome Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Abigail Adams in a presentation of “Jefferson & Adams” a stage play written by Howard Ginsburg. Based on the collection of letters between these prolific founding fathers – and one equally astute wife – the play fuses compelling political thoughts with passionate personal beliefs. Jefferson & Adams traces the period from the inception of the Revolution through the politics of two presidents to the wisdom of men who have lived long lives, as well as reveals each of the three as thoughtful, persevering, dedicated, innovative, relevant – and human.
$25/adults, $20/college students and youth (ages 6-18), $7 for children under 6 plus taxes and fees

Jefferson's Curiosities
2026-06-11 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
2026-06-11 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-25 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-07-02 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!

Live Music @ Apocalypse Ale Works
2026-06-12 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-06-19 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-06-26 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-07-03 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!

CAB Kids at the Bower Center
2026-06-13 12:00 - 14:00 | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Join CAB Kids at the Bower Center for the Arts for an afternoon packed with colorful, creative, sunshine-filled fun as we celebrate the start of summer. Kids will rotate through a variety of open-ended art stations, including:
• Outdoor chalk art to turn our sidewalks into masterpieces
• DIY summer drink magnets (plus other fun shapes)
• Painted rocks—one to add to our garden and one to take home
This event is all about creativity, movement, and welcoming summer with a bang!
Click here to register.
Creative Arts for Bower Kids, CAB Kids, is a program that invites youth and families to explore creativity together through free art activities, Family Art Days, and community events in a fun, inclusive space.

Concert at the Bower Center
2026-06-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Bower Center for the Arts, 305 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Come to the Bower Center to see Akeylah Simone sing live!
$20 in advance/$25 at the door.
Click here to purchase tickets and for more information on the band!

U.S. Army Birthday
2026-06-14 10:00 - 17:00 | National D-Day Memorial, 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
In honor of the Army’s birthday, all U.S. Army veterans and active duty personnel will receive free admission to the National D-Day Memorial.

Lakeside Local
2026-06-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Halesford Center, 16483 Moneta Rd., Moneta, United States
Enjoy a vibrant market bringing talented local vendors to the heart of SML! Created & hosted by LAT Wellness Studio, Hawaii Fluid Art, and JBohnBishop Mercantile. Click here to see which vendors will be at this event each month. Click here for this seasons schedule.

1776 The Musical
2026-06-25 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-06-26 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-06-27 19:30 - 22:00 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Revel in the revolutionary spirit of America’s Founding Fathers at Poplar Forest’s presentation of 1776—the Tony Award-winning comedy by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone based on the events leading up to the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence. View these events through the eyes of Ben (Franklin), Richard Henry (Lee), John (Adams) and Tom (Jefferson). Celebrate their contributions to our country’s history.
Bring a chair or blanket, a picnic dinner (no outside alcoholic beverages allowed. Wine, beer and cider will be available for sale on site), and friends and family for an evening of theatre under the stars. Rain date is June 28
$20.00/Adults (18+), $15/College and Youth (6-17), $5/under 6.
Click here for tickets.

Murder Mystery at the Bedford Moose Lodge
2026-06-27 18:00 - 21:00 | Bedford Moose Lodge, 2986 West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Join Jump into Mystery for an interactive murder mystery event where you will play a character, solve clues, and interrogate all of the suspects. You will laugh, talk, eat, drink, and meet new friends. In the end you will decide who committed the crime using your detective skills. Tickets are 50 per person and include heavy hors d’oeuvres. There will be a cash bar set up by The Bedford Moose Lodge. This is an adults only event, character roles will be given upon entry to the event, and each person attending will need to purchase a ticket. This event is open to the public and is a fundraiser for the lodge. Tickets can be purchased at The Bedford Moose Lodge or from a member of the lodge. All participants are asked to please arrive and check in between 5:30pm and 5:45pm, as the event will start promptly at 6pm. Wear your best prom attire from any era and join us for an evening of fun!

Wander & Awe Foraging Clinic
2026-06-30 18:30 - 19:30 | Bedford County Parks and Recreation, 1257 County Farm Rd, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Come learn what tasty treats and healing properties nature can provide while you explore the original grocery store, the great outdoors!
Wander: They will have a short intro into foraging safety and wildcrafting etiquette, following by a short hike where we explore what edible & medicinal plants & fungi are in season!
Awe: You will cover different resources, tools, ways to ID, look-alikes, various uses, history, and traditional practices regarding the plants & fungi. Plan on learning 10-15 different plants/Fungi each session.
Families are encouraged and all ages are welcome! You will be typically hiking less than 1 mile each session unless otherwise noted in the event discussion.
Meetings will be the LAST Tuesday of each month, Mar-Oct Sessions start at 6:30pm.
Sometimes the locations will change, click here for any updates.

Independence Day Celebration
2026-07-04 10:00 - 16:00 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Thomas Jefferson held July 4th as “the only birthday I ever commemorate…” Bring your family and friends out to Poplar Forest, his Bedford County retreat, to celebrate the 249th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in historic style. Enjoy colonial-style entertainment, demonstrations by colonial artisans and craftspeople, archaeological displays, old-fashioned children’s activities, a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1:30 p.m. and more!
Tickets are $15/person ages 16+, under 16 are free. House Tours available for a reduced rate of $10 ages 18+, $7/ages 6-17, and free under 6. House Tour tickets are available day-of only on a first come, first served basis.
Click here for tickets.
