Spring is on its way to the Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and it’s an exciting time of year with many upcoming events!
You’ll find lots of fun St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, as well as numerous opportunities to enjoy wonderful live music, sports, craft beer and more.
Special Feature: 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Shamrock Festival Guide >
Plan a spring break getaway to Virginia’s Blue Ridge for a metro mountain adventure and mark your calendar with these great events. Here’s a preview of what’s happening this month.
NOTE: All info is subject to change. Please check event websites and social media pages for the most updated information.
1. Roanoke Arts Pop! | March 1-2
Taubman Museum of Art
Roanoke Arts Pop is a celebration of the incredible arts & culture in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, featuring more than 25 arts & cultural organizations that will offer pop-up performances, demos, talks, and hands-on activities throughout this free, family-friendly weekend at the Taubman Museum of Art.
Roanoke Arts Pop Schedule >
2. The Trilogy Weekend Experience | March 1-3
The Humble Hustle Company
The Trilogy Weekend is a specially curated occasion showcasing the creative journey of Hmble Hstle Clothing and its partnership with the Virginia Tourism Corporation through a series of events rooted in cultural celebration. Immerse yourself in art, culture, and fashion to explore the meaning of “Roses Grow with Love.”
The Trilogy Weekend Events >
3. Monster Truck Nitro Tour | March 2
Salem Civic Center
Monster trucks will invade Virginia’s Blue Ridge with two exciting shows at the Salem Civic Center. See these incredible 10,000-pound, car-crushing giants compete in racing and wheelie contests, and then rock the house with amazing freestyle action during the Monster Truck Nitro Tour!
Nitro Tour Details >
4. Winter Cotillion | March 2
Charles Hill Senior Center - Vinton
Enjoy an exciting evening out as Southwest Virginia Pride hosts its Winter Cotillion. There will be dancing, entertainment, light refreshments, and beer & wine available for purchase for a fabulous night of fun.
Winter Cotillion Tickets >
5. Broadway in Roanoke: Johnny Cash | March 5
Berglund Center
Johnny Cash - The Official Concert Experience is the latest show in the popular Broadway in Roanoke performance series. The concert is a multi-media celebration, featuring many iconic songs and never-before-seen footage from Johnny Cash’s remarkable career.
Johnny Cash Experience Tickets >
6. Harlem Globetrotters: 2024 World Tour | March 6
Berglund Center
Get ready for a slam-dunk extravaganza as the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters make their triumphant return to the Berglund Center! This is your chance to witness the record-breaking stars of basketball live as they bring an unforgettable blend of dribbling, spinning, and dunking to the court.
Harlem Globetrotters Details >
7. Women’s History Month Film Series | Various Dates
Grandin Theatre
March is Women’s History Month and the historic Grandin Theatre in Roanoke will be celebrating with a series of films that spotlight powerful stories of women.
- March 6: A League of Their Own
- March 13: Set it Off
- March 20: Whale Rider
- March 26: Marie Antoinette
Grandin Theatre Women's History Month Series >
8. Pat Metheny | March 7
Harvester Performance Center
Over the years, Pat Metheny has performed with artists as diverse as Steve Reich to Ornette Coleman to Herbie Hancock to Jim Hall to Milton Nascimento to David Bowie. His body of work includes compositions for solo guitar, small ensembles, electric and acoustic instruments, large orchestras, and ballet pieces, with settings ranging from modern jazz to rock to classical.
Pat Metheny Tickets >
9. Riley Green w/ Tracy Lawrence & Ella Langley | March 7
Salem Civic Center
“Ain’t My Last Rodeo” is inspired by what Riley Green knows best - hard work, life outdoors, and family. The show will also feature performances by Tracy Lawrence and Ella Langley, offering a great night of country music at the Salem Civic Center.
Riley Green Tickets >
10. The Iliad, The Odyssey, and All of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less | March 7-17
Showtimers Community Theatre
With the clock ticking in front of everyone's eyes, the cast at Showtimers Community Theatre speeds through all of Greek Mythology. All the silly decisions, the absurd destinies, and the goofy characters are presented lightning-bolt fast with hysterical results. Will they make it through everything before time runs out?
Showtimers Community Theatre Website >
11. Tay Tay Laser Dance Party | March 8
Harvester Performance Center
Calling all Swifties for the most epic Taylor-themed event. The all-ages Taylor Swift Laser Dance Party is coming to the Harvester. Immerse yourself in Tay Tay's music while surrounded by synchronized lasers and lights. You'll sing and dance to all your favorite Taylor Swift songs for an unforgettable night.
Tay Tay Laser Dance Party Tickets >
12. Opera Roanoke: The Marriage of Figaro | March 8 & 10
March 8 - Moss Arts Center | March 10 - Jefferson Center
Opera Roanoke proudly brings one of the greatest of all operatic treasures to life, with a gorgeous and witty fully-staged production of The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart’s timeless and irrepressible masterpiece that levels the playing field between members of 18th-century aristocracy and the lovable human beings who are their servants.
Opera Roanoke Tickets >
13. Sarah Jarosz | March 9
Harvester Performance Center
With her captivating voice and richly detailed songwriting, Sarah Jarosz has emerged as one of the most compelling musicians of her generation. A three-time Grammy Award winner at the age of 28, the Texas native started singing as a young girl and became an accomplished multi-instrumentalist by her early teens.
Sarah Jarosz Tickets >
14. 43rd Annual MDA Car Show | March 9-10
Berglund Center
The 43rd annual MDA Car Show consists of a two-day indoor show at the Berglund Center and an outside flea market. Inside, there will be a car club alley, which represents 20 different local car clubs, 120 individual cars/trucks, a silent auction, and a variety of vendors.
MDA Car Show Website >
15. Escape to Margaritaville | March 13-30
Mill Mountain Theatre
Dawn your Hawaiian shirts and kick off your flip flops for a tour of a tropical paradise led by Tully, a part-time bartender, part-time singer, and full-time charmer who thinks he’s got life all figured out—until a beautiful tourist steals his heart and makes him question everything. Escape to Margaritaville! is a musical comedy featuring the most-loved Jimmy Buffett classics, including “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Margaritaville,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” “Volcano,” and many more.
Escape to Margaritaville Tickets >
16. Trey Kennedy | March 13
Berglund Center
Trey Kennedy found fame on the mobile app Vine, amassing more than 2.5 million followers. He was a top creator on the app for more than three years and, through this experience, discovered a passion for comedy and entertainment. Trey has continued his social media success on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, where he has a combined 12+ million followers.
Trey Kennedy Tickets >
17. Freedom First St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Shamrock Festival | March 16
Downtown Roanoke
The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Shamrock Festival in Downtown Roanoke is one of the signature events of the year in Virginia’s Blue Ridge and an unofficial start to the spring season! Take part in this festive celebration of Celtic heritage and culture and enjoy the parade festivities, as well as live music, great food & drink, and more.
St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival Information >
18. Spafford | March 21-23
5 Points Music Sanctuary
Spafford is known for their astonishing improvisational ability and off-the-cuff extended jams, painting a picture in real-time each night with a musical palette known only to each other. The group is amongst the most creative and hard-traveling bands on the contemporary jam scene, performing countless sold-out headline dates along with high-profile festival sets at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Firefly Music Festival, and many others.
Spafford Tickets >
19. Butcher Brown | March 22
Jefferson Center
Butcher Brown has released forward-thinking and expansive hybrids of jazz and hip-hop since 2013. Today, they have an apt descriptor for their songs: solar music. Drawing inspiration from every sound under the sun, the Richmond, VA band adds elements of funk, soul, and rock to their foundational mix.
Butcher Brown Tickets >
20. Military Living History Day | March 23
Salem Museum
Experience a unique array of living historians representing almost every major military conflict in American history from the Revolutionary War through Operation Desert Storm. Soldiers and civilians will be represented. Talks throughout the day will focus on the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and WWII.
Salem Museum & Historical Society >
21. Roanoke Symphony Orchestra - Red, White & Rhapsody in Blue | March 23
Berglund Center
The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra presents Red, White & Rhapsody in Blue - a special performance at the Berglund Center led by Maestro David Stewart Wiley and featuring pianist Natasha Paremski. The concert will include selections from Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Tickets >
22. CIAA Women’s Bowling Championship | March 23-24
Lee-Hi Lanes
We are excited to welcome the bowling teams from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association to Virginia’s Blue Ridge this month to compete in the 2024 CIAA Women’s Bowling Championship at Lee-Hi Lanes in the City of Salem! Fans are encouraged to come out to cheer on the bowlers and watch champions be crowned in Virginia’s Championship City.
CIAA Women's Bowling >
23. REO Speedwagon & Rick Springfield | March 26
Salem Civic Center
Classic Rock hitmakers REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield are joining forces on tour, which includes a stop at the Salem Civic Center on Tuesday, March 26. Dauzat St Marie will open the show.
REO Speedwagon & Rick Springfield Tickets >
24. Eggcellent Adventure | March 30
Virginia Museum of Transportation
The Virginia Museum of Transportation is hosting the annual Eggcellent Adventure on Saturday, March 30th, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Come out for the easter egg scavenger hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny, family activities and crafts, free face painting, and more.
Virginia Museum of Transportation >
25. Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs | Various Dates
Berglund Center
The regular season is winding down for the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs as the team looks to make a strong push to the playoffs. There are 6 home games in March, including some fun promotional nights and activities:
- March 1: Baseball Night
- March 2: Wiener Dawg Races, Youth Sports Night
- March 23: Scooby Doo Night, Bring Your Dawg
- March 30: Mossy Oak Night
Save the Dates for April
- Salem Red Sox Opening Night - April 5
- Freedom First Down by Downtown Music Festival - April 18-21
- Blue Ridge Kite Festival - April 20
- Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon, Half Marathon & Anthem StarK - April 20
- Vinton Dogwood Festival - April 26-27
Visit our Calendar of Events to learn more about what’s going in Virginia’s Blue Ridge and request a free copy of our Visitor's Guide. You can also subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to keep up with what’s happening in the region.