Destination Bedford

Forest Friday Cheers
2026-05-01 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-08 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-15 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Apocalypse Ale Works, 1257 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Live music, local vendors, beer, and food! Inflatable bounce pad and more for this family friendly event! Free admission. Click here to see who is playing each week!

Forest Farmers Market
2026-05-02 08:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-09 08:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-16 08:00 - 12:00 | Forest Farmers Market, 15583 Forest Road, Forest, VA, 24523, United States
Enjoy locally grown produce, meats, honey, flowers along with breads and local artisan goodies. You can also find breakfast sandwiches and a coffee truck most weeks. The market is open the last week in April until the last week in October every Saturday behind the Forest Library.

SML Triathlon
2026-05-02 09:00 - 14:00 | Smith Mountain Lake State Park, 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, VA, United States
Staged out of beautiful Smith Mountain Lake State Park this triathlon classic has clear water, mountain views and fun courses. The swim features a sandy beach start and a crisp, clear lake. The bike and run courses are rolling, but not too challenging. This is a great race if you are just starting out in the sport, or have been racing for 20 years. Smith Mountain Lake is home to numerous lodging options and attractions. There is great trail running in the park and the Blue Ridge Parkway isn’t too far away if you want to stay the night and ride again on Sunday. With numerous B&B’s, restaurants and wineries in the area this race needs to be on your “recreation” bucket list!
Click here to register and for more information.

Peaks of Otter Campground Clean Up
2026-05-02 10:00 - 13:00 | The Peaks of Otter Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 85.9, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Join the National Park Service for a volunteer opportunity at the Peaks of Otter Campground Clean Up! Enjoy the great outdoors and fresh mountain air while helping prepare the campground for the 2026 season. Volunteers will assist with removing winter storm debris, picking up sticks, raking leaves, and cleaning grills and picnic tables. Participants should bring work gloves, a rake, water, a snack, and a friend, and are encouraged to wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, and weather-appropriate clothing. The Peaks of Otter Campground is located at milepost 85.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Big Island, Virginia. For more information or to register, contact Wayne Bersch at philip_bersch@nps.gov or 540-745-9664.

Big Otter Mill Spring Festival
2026-05-02 11:00 - 15:00 | Big Otter Mill, 3533 Big Island Highway, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Enjoy springtime in Bedford at the historic Big Otter Mill!
Live music, BBQ by the Virginia Masonic District 24 Master Masons Association, vendors, and self-guided tours of the Mill!
Free admission and family friendly!
Dogs okay, must be on a leash.

BCPS Middle & High School Art Show
2026-05-02 11:00 - 15:00 | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
The Bower Center for the Arts has partnered with the Bedford County Public Schools System to showcase the amazing artistic abilities of the youth in our community. Gallery admission is free.
Middle School Reception- Thursday April 16th 5-6:30PM
High School Reception- Friday May 1st 5-6:30pm

Live Music at Harvest Moon
2026-05-02 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-03 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-09 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-10 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-16 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!

Live Music at New London Ruritan Club
2026-05-02 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-16 19:00 - 22:00 | New London Ruritan, 12411 East Lynchburg Salem Turnpike, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
This is a family friendly community dance with live entertainers!! $10/adult, doors open at 6:30pm, music 7-10pm. Please bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Supported by Ruritan volunteers. Click here to see who is playing each week.

Jefferson's Curiosities
2026-05-07 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
2026-05-07 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-14 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 at Benjamin’s
2026-05-08 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-15 18:00 - 21:00 | Benjamin’s Restaurant, 14900 Forest Rd., Forest, 24551, United States
Come to Benjamins for great food and live music every Friday! Click here to see who is playing each week.

Live Music @ Apocalypse Ale Works
2026-05-08 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-15 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!

Truck & Tractor Pull
2026-05-09 16:30 - 22:00 | Sims Farm, 2220 Harvest Lane, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Challenged Sports Exchange & Sims Events welcomes back this spring Dragon Motorsports Truck & Tractor Pull for a night of action packed fun on Saturday May 9th! Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets sold at the gate only! Cash only $20.00 per person Kids 5 & under free. Enjoy the beer garden and food vendors on site. No coolers allowed, NO PETS, lawn chairs welcome. Bring your whole family, all of your friends and get ready for an unforgettable night of horsepower and excitement!

Lakeside Local
2026-05-16 10:00 - 13:00 | Halesford Center, 16483 Moneta Rd., Moneta, United States
Boutique-style farmers market experience celebrating retail, art, and wellness at the heart of SML! A destination for both locals and visitors, offering a thoughtfully curated mix of vibrant local talent and a meaningful space for connection and gathering!

Spring Craft Sale
2026-05-16 10:00 - 15:00 | Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Library, 13641 Moneta Road, Moneta, VA, 24121, United States
Join the Friends of the Moneta SML Library in welcoming a season of blooming creativity!
You’re invited to the 2nd Annual Craft Boutique Sale, where you’ll enjoy shopping unique handcrafted items.

Armed Forces Day Parade
2026-05-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Downtown Bedford
In observance of Armed Forces Day, a military parade through downtown Bedford will honor the U.S. Armed Forces’ 250 years of securing and protecting our freedoms.

Armed Forces Day Concert
2026-05-16 14:00 - 18:00 | Sims Farm, 2220 Harvest Lane, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Join John Sines, Jr. and Hammaville at Sims Farm for an afternoon of music and family fun in celebration of our Armed Forces. Enjoy bluegrass, gospel, country and patriotic music.
Gates will open at 12:00, with the show starting at 2:00.
Admission is free!
Food trucks will be available including Dale’s Diner Express and Tacos Los Amigos. Shena’s Sweet Treats and The Messi Lemon will also be on site.
Face painting available for the kids.
Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs/blankets!
This is non-alcoholic and non-smoking event.

Spring Cabaret at the Bower Center
2026-05-16 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 a Spring Cabaret with Wynn Creasy & C.W. Markham III.
$20 in advance/$25 at the door.
Click here to purchase tickets and for more information!
