Alexandria Events November 2015
November 2015
6th – 8th
9th Annual Alexandria Film Festival
AMC Hoffman 22 Theater and Beatley Central Library
http://www.alexandriafilm.org
The Alexandria Film Festival is a yearly celebration of film, presenting short and feature length films of all genres from emerging and established, local and international filmmakers. Last year, the festival brought more than 60 films and 50 filmmakers to Alexandria from as far as Sri Lanka and Uruguay. All ticketed events will be held at the AMC Hoffman Theater 22, with Beatley Central Library offering free programs to the public.
15th
3rd Annual .US National 12K
Race starts at 7:30 a.m.
Begins and ends at Oronoco Bay Park, Old Town
Registration/$60, Members, military, police, firefighters/$55 (Prices increase on November 1st)
http://www.national12k.us
Open to runners of all abilities, the .US National 12K will unite road racers and local fitness enthusiasts with some of the best athletes USA Track & Field has to offer, on a course through Alexandria. Runners and families can enjoy a kid fun run, live entertainment and a beer garden. Festival is dog-friendly.
25th – December 27th
“A Broadway Christmas Carol” at MetroStage
Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m.; Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 & 7 p.m.
MetroStage, 1201 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-9044
$50
Created by Kathy Feininger and directed by Michael Sharp, this MetroStage holiday tradition is a delicious cross between the classic Dickens’ tale and uproarious song parodies of 33 Broadway show tune favorites by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim and many more.
27th
City of Alexandria Tree Lighting Ceremony
6-8 p.m.
Market Square in front of City Hall, 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-746-3301
Free
At this official kickoff to the holiday season, the mayor and Santa Claus will light the city tree in Market Square, accompanied by live entertainment, a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and more.
28th
Small Business Saturday in Alexandria
Boutiques in Alexandria, VA
703-746-3301
VisitAlexandriava.com
Head to the DC region’s “shop small” headquarters for Small Business Saturday on November 29th. More than 30 independent Alexandria boutiques will offer special promotions, such as merchandise discounts, gifts with purchase, complimentary services, treats, and/or festive activities.
December 4th-6th
45th Annual Campagna Center Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade
Old Town Alexandria
703-549-0111
Free for parade, holiday marketplace and heather & green sales; $110-290/Taste of Scotland; $35/Designer Tour of Homes; $20-$35/Deck the Halls with Santa
Don’t miss Old Town Alexandria’s most spectacular holiday weekend. In 1749, the city of Alexandria was officially established by three Scottish merchants and named after its original founder John Alexander, also of Scottish descent. Today, the city continues celebrating its heritage with a weekend of festivities. The iconic Scottish Christmas Walk Parade takes place on Saturday, December 5 at 11 a.m., when more than 45 Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans will parade through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands from around the region, as well as terriers and hounds. More weekend events include a Taste of Scotland (12/4), Heather and Greens sale (12/4 and 12/5), Holiday Marketplace (12/5), the Campagna Center’s Holiday Designer Tour of Homes (12/5), and Deck the Halls with Santa (12/6).
The Campagna Center partners with Mazda North America, the Government of Scotland, the St. Andrews Society, and the City of Alexandria to host the annual parade. Consistently ranked by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the top 20 events in the South, this event has grown from a small informal parade to an entire weekend filled with events and festivities. #SCWW15
December 4th-19th
The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s “A Christmas Carol”
Thursday-Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 3 & 6 p.m.
The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street
703-683-0496
$15
The family-favorite classic by Charles Dickens, equipped with special effects, Victorian carols and Tiny Tim returns to the Little Theatre of Alexandria. The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly Victorian humbug, who travels with ghostly guides through Christmas past, present and future to find the true meaning of the holidays.
December 4th–20th
Del Ray Artisans 20th Annual Holiday Market
Fridays, 6 – 9 pm, Saturdays, 11 am – 6 pm, Sundays, 11 am – 6 pm
Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue
703-838-4827
Free to browse
thedelrayartisans.org/holidaymarket
Del Ray’s annual Holiday Market offers unique handmade fine arts and crafts from local artists (including pottery/ceramics, photography, jewelry, fiber, paper crafts and glass). All artists donate a percentage of their sales back to Del Ray Artisans to help support future programs. Different artists each weekend!
December 4th-23rd
Alexandria’s Holiday Market
Friday-Sunday, December 4-6, 11-13, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday-Wednesday, December 18-23, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 24, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
John Carlyle Square, 300 John Carlyle Street
Free
While shopping for unique art and craft items for loved ones, at this unique holiday market, visitors can enjoy live entertainment, traditional European food and sweets, wine and beer. Also present will be a children’s corner featuring kids’ activities that help little ones learn more about European traditions and culture.
December 5th
Holiday on the Avenue in Del Ray
6 p.m.
Del Ray Farmers Market
Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Oxford Avenue
703-683-2570
Free
visitdelray.com
Discover your holiday spirit with a visit to Del Ray for the annual holiday tree lighting and a special appearance by Santa Claus, who will lead carols and sit for photos with children. The celebration continues with an evening stroll down Mount Vernon Avenue, which will be illuminated by thousands of candles called “luminarias.” In the true spirit of the holidays, the community will be collecting items such as canned goods, diapers and towels for the Carpenter’s Homeless Shelter. We also have 12 Christmas Trees along Mt. Vernon Avenue—each one decorated by a local non-profit or business. The public can vote on their favorite one between Dec. 5 and Christmas day. Winner receives $500!
Holiday Festival: Take a Walk in the Woods
4 – 9 p.m.
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union Street
703-838-4565
Free
Give the gift of art this year. The Torpedo Factory Art Center will transform into an enchanted winter forest this December. During the Holiday Festival, more than 140 artists will keep their studios open late for patrons to find special handmade gifts. Adding to the festive atmosphere, the Alexandria Choral Society and the Braddock Brass Quintet will perform seasonal favorites throughout the evening. Santa will visit and hold court on the 3rd floor until 7 pm. Stop in before and after the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on the waterfront to buy one-of-a-kind presents for one-of-a-kind loved ones.
A Soldiers’ Christmas at Carlyle House
1 – 4 p.m.
Carlyle House
121 N. Fairfax Street
703-549-2997
Free Admission; Suggested Donation $1
carlylehouse.org
The “Soldiers’ Christmas” event will feature re-enactors from the First Virginia Regiment, who will highlight colonial life in Alexandria during the holidays at the time of the American Revolution. Some of the activities visitors will see include demonstrations of military drill, fife and drum music, gaming, cooking, and more. The Regimental surgeon will be discussing Continental Army medicine and demonstrating 18th-century surgical instruments in the museum. There will be activities and colonial games for children. The program takes place immediately following the annual Scottish Walk parade in Old Town Alexandria.
16th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
5:30 p.m.
Alexandria’s Waterfront
Cameron Street near the Torpedo Factory Art Center703-746-3301
Admission: Free
visitalexandriava.com/holidays
At sundown on the day of the Scottish Christmas Walk parade, Alexandria’s harbor lights up as dozens of illuminated boats cruise the Potomac River at the historic waterfront, led by Alexandria’s fireboat The Vigilant and Washington, DC’s fireboat John Glenn. DC media personality Tommy McFly of 94.7 Fresh FM will be the parade announcer. At the marina before and after the parade, stop in to the Holiday Festival: Take a Walk in the Woods at the Torpedo Factory Art Center between 4 and 9 p.m. to enjoy performances by the Alexandria Harmonizers plus gift shopping in open artist studios.