Destination Bedford

BCPS Middle & High School Art Show
2026-04-29 13:00 - 18:00, 2026-04-30 13:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-01 13:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-02 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | 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

America’s 250th Anniversary Exhibit
2026-04-30 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-01 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-02 10:00 - 18:00 | Moneta Library, 13641 Moneta Rd
America’s 250th Anniversary Exhibit in the MOarts Gallery and Display Case
250 years ago, the founding fathers of the United States of America met in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence beginning the American Nation as we know it. Come to the Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Library to view our history as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence through a photo exhibit of historical documents and portraits related to the American Revolution and a display case of Revolutionary items that have been in use since that time.
The photos featured in this exhibit are curated from the Library of Congress and the Library of Virginia.
The exhibit may be viewed during regular library hours, April 1, 2026, through May 30, 2026.

Live Music at Portside
2026-04-30 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Portside Grill and Bar, 3619 Airport Rd., Moneta, VA, 24121, United States
Come to Portside Grill & Bar right on Smith Mountain Lake, for great food and live music! Click here to see who is playing!

Music Bingo
2026-04-30 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!

LES MISÉRABLES
2026-04-30 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Jefferson Forest Auditorium, 1 Cavalier Circle, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
The epic musical Les Misérables will be performed by Jefferson Forest High School theatre students! Show dates are April 30 – May 3.
Get your tickets at the door (while they last!) or reserve yours now at cavaliertheatre.com!

The Bloom & Gather Market at Woods Goods & Mercantile
2026-05-01 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-02 10:00 - 16:00 | Woods Goods & Mercantile, 2770 W Lynchburg Salem Tpke, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Join Woods Goods & Mercantile for their Bloom & Gather Market, a garden-inspired shopping experience filled with fresh finds, thoughtful gifts, and beautiful moments to share.

Live Music & Food Truck at Fables & Feathers
2026-05-01 16:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-02 14:00 - 17:00 | Fables & Feathers Winery, 2117 Bruno Dr., Goodview, VA, 24095
Come to Fables and Feathers Winery for live music, great wine and beautiful views! Some days there will also be food trucks on site. Click here to see who is playing and which food truck will be on site!

Live Music at Benjamin’s
2026-05-01 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.

Forest Friday Cheers
2026-05-01 18:00 - 22:00 | Apocalypse Ale Works, 1257 Burnbridge Road, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Come to Apocalypse Ale Works for Forest Friday Cheers!
Live music, local vendors, food, and local craft beer.
Inflatable bounce pad for the kids, and other fun activities.
Free admission. Click here to see who is playing each week!

First Fridays at Falling Creek Park
2026-05-01 18:30 - 21:00 | Falling Creek Park, 1257 County Farm Road, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
The First Fridays concert series is back at Falling Creek Park, brought to you by Bedford County Parks & Recreation.
Come to the park for live music, kids activities and a food truck every first Friday of the month, May – October.
The music starts around 6:30 p.m.
Bring a chair or blanket. You can also bring your own food.
Admission is free!
Click here to see who is playing each month.

Little Shop of Horrors
2026-05-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Susie G. Gibson Science & Technology Center, 600 Edmund St., Bedford, Virginia, 24523
Liberty High School Performing Arts will perform Little Shop of Horrors!
The show will be held at Susie G Gibson Auditorium while Liberty’s new auditorium is still under construction.
Tickets at the door or in advance by clicking here.

Live Music @ Apocalypse Ale Works
2026-05-01 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!

Bedford Farmers Market
2026-05-02 08:00 - 12:00 | Bedford Farmers Market, Washington and Center Streets, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
The Bedford Farmers Market will have fresh produce, vegetables, baked goods, artisan crafts and a variety of Bedford and locally grown products! Free off-street parking. The market is open Every Saturday!
Click here to see which vendors will be on site each week!

Forest Farmers Market
2026-05-02 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.

New London Academy Anniversary Celebration
2026-05-02 10:00 - 14:00 | New London Acadamy, 12400 E Salem Turnpike, Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Come to New London Academy to celebrate 230 years of excellence in education!
There will be food trucks, games & activities, tours of the school, birthday celebration with cake and more!

Living History with The Fincastle Company
2026-05-02 10:00 - 16:00 | Moneta Library, 13641 Moneta Rd
Come to the Moneta library to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Independence! Enjoy a living historic performance presented by the Fincastle Company.
Fincastle Company is a group of dedicated living historians who portray both military and civilian roles during the time of the American War of Independence. They conduct extensive research and documentation on all the clothing and equipment used by them in order to be as accurate to the period as possible.
The group performs living history displays at various historical sites in the mid-Atlantic region. They specifically portray the Fincastle/Montgomery County Militia, which was an actual unit from Southwestern Virginia that served in the American Revolution.
No registration is required. Drop in anytime between 10 and 4 PM to interact with the historians.

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.

BBQ Battle at Portside Grill & Bar
2026-05-02 12:00 - 16:00 | Portside Grill and Bar, 3619 Airport Rd., Moneta, VA, 24121, United States
Get ready for some smoky competition at the 5th Annual BBQ Battle hosted by Portside Grill & Bar on May 2nd at 12:00 PM. This exciting event will feature delicious barbecue, a lively atmosphere, and live music by Tradition from 12–4 PM. Bring your friends and come hungry—then stick around to enjoy great tunes and good vibes all afternoon. Don’t miss out—get your tickets today by clicking here!

Live Music at Harvest Moon
2026-05-02 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!
