First Thursdays Del Ray
First Thursday of the month from 6-9 p.m.
Admission: Free; pets welcome
Mt. Vernon Avenue
http://www.VisitDelRay.com/page-1718168

First Thursdays is a series of free outdoor street festivals along Mt. Vernon Avenue in the spring and summer. Every first Thursday of the months of April, May, June, July, August and September the Del Ray Business Association features businesses along Mt. Vernon Avenue, special events, food and music from 6-9 p.m. Each month has a different theme with activities for children, live music and a festive atmosphere.

4th

Fort Ward Civil War Camp Day
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: Free; $5 suggested donation
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
4301 W. Braddock Rd.
703-746-4848
http://www.AlexandriaVA.gov/FortWard

Union and Confederate reenactors interpret Civil War military activities in camp settings, present drills, infantry and artillery demonstrations, and civilian impressions.

5th

8th Annual Taste of Del Ray Food Festival
1-3 p.m.
Admission: $10 adults; $5 children
Mt. Vernon Avenue
http://www.VisitDelRay.com

Mark your calendars, clean your palates and prepare to taste some of the yummiest flavors ever at the 8th Annual Taste of Del Ray, sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association. More than 15 neighborhood restaurants will participate in the outdoor competition that will name the 2016 Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice awards. Ticket holders will enjoy a variety of tastes and cast their votes while enjoying live music and various exhibits tied to food.

11th

Hospital Adventures of the Civil War: Hands on History Tent
Noon -3 p.m.
Admission: Free; $5 suggested donation
Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St.
703-549-2997
http://www.carlylehouse.org

Step through the doors of the Mansion House Hospital for our annual Hands on History Tent! Children and their families are invited to explore the history that inspired PBS’ Mercy Street through various crafts and hands-on activities. Visitors will have the chance to meet a Union Army surgeon and learn about medical tools and equipment from the era. One brave volunteer will have the opportunity to have an operation performed on them! This event is designed for children ages 3-12 but all are welcome!

Summer Concerts at Carlyle House
7-9 pm.
Admission: Free; $5 donation suggested
Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St.
703-549-2997
http://www.carlylehouse.org

Join Carlyle House Historic Park for our annual summer concert series! We are excited to welcome back Howard University’s DuPont Brass for not one, but two concerts. They will be the featured band for our June and August concerts. The July concert will feature a surprise band you won’t want to miss! So pack a picnic basket and join us on the lawn for an evening of music. This is a co-sponsored event by Carlyle House and Alexandria’s Black History Museum.

Canine Cruise
11 a.m.
Admission: $16 adults; $10 children; dogs ride free
Alexandria City Marina, 1 Cameron St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-0580
http://www.PotomacRiverboatCo.com/canine-cruise.php

With four-legged friends in tow, board a Potomac Riverboat Co. cruise and tour the Alexandria Seaport on this popular 60-minute waterfront excursion. Dogs must be on 6 ft. flat leash at all times.

The Old Town Arts and Crafts Fair
10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Admission: Free
Market Square, 301 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-2176
http://www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com/summer

Now celebrating its 36th year in operation, the Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair features more than 80 arts and crafts vendors. Visitors can browse artisan stalls and purchase handmade pieces in the heart of Old Town at Market Square.

12th
Magnolia Tea at Mansion House
Noon-4 p.m.
Admission: $40
Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St.
703-549-2997
http://www.carlylehouse.org

Enjoy the beautiful historic setting of Carlyle House’s Magnolia Terrace for an elegant summer’s day tea. History buffs, tea lovers and fans of the PBS series Mercy Street will be welcomed with true southern hospitality at this Civil War themed tea, worthy of the finest patrons of the Mansion House Hotel. Reservations are required and this event will take place on the tented terrace, rain or shine. The first seating is at 12:00 p.m. and the second seating is at 2:30 p.m.

18th

Cinema Del Ray Outdoor Movies
Fun begins at 7 p.m.; films begin at dusk
Admission: Free
Mt Vernon Recreation Center
2701 Commonwealth Ave.
http://www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com/summer

Bring family, friends, neighbors and a blanket to watch these open-air movies including Peanuts, Toy Story and Aladdin at Cinema Del Ray, now in its 11th season.

19th

Alexandria’s Historic Breweries Guided Tour and Tasting
2 p.m.
Admission: $20
Old Town Alexandria
https://portnerbrewhouse.com/events-tours

Join Alexandria’s Historic Breweries author Garrett Peck and Portner Brewhouse co-founder Cat Portner on a guided walking tour around Old Town Alexandria exploring the foundations of local brewing. The tour includes highlights from the print brochure, a Portner Brewhouse beer sampling and culminates at one of Alexandria’s current Hops Stops.

Arlandria Chirilagua Festival
Noon -7 p.m.
Admission: Free
Four Mile Run Park
3700 Commonwealth Ave.
703-685-5697
http://www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com/summer

This annual festival celebrates and highlights the Arlandria community’s Latino community featuring musical entertainment, food, crafts and cultural vendors.

Free Father’s Day Museum Tours
1-5 p.m.
Admission: Free for visiting fathers; prices vary by location
Carlyle House Museum, 121 N. Fairfax St.
Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. Alfred St.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St.
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S. Fairfax St.
http://www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com/summer

In honor of Father’s Day, visiting dads will receive free admission to some of Alexandria’s premier historic sites and have the opportunity to peruse the grounds once frequented by America’s founding fathers.

25th

Vine on the Waterfront Food & Wine Festival
June 25, 2016 from noon-6 p.m.
Oronoco Bay Park
100 Madison St.
703-746-5592
Admission: Free; tickets required for food and wine samples
http://www.AlexandriaFoodandWine.com

Vine on the Waterfront Food and Wine festival is a one-day community-based event focused on showcasing the numerous diverse restaurants of Alexandria and Virginia wineries combined with the opportunity to give back to the community through local non-profit organizations. Named as the “top 10 events to attend” by DC Metro Magazine, this is a lively, family-oriented event. The festival offers food and wine tasting along with live entertainment, children’s activities and arts and crafts vendors.

Well Ray 2016: An Outdoor Celebration of Health & Wellness
1-6 p.m.
2214 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301
703-683-2228
Admission: Free
http://www.MindTheMat.com/Well-Ray/
The third annual Well Ray festival is a community wide effort to highlight resources for living healthily and happily. Come browse health and lifestyle inspired tents. Wellness practitioners will offer services including therapeutic massages, acupuncture, physical therapy consultations, chiropractic adjustments, nutritional counseling, blood pressure screenings, and more. Check out wellness inspired fashion from local fitness clothing designers, jewelers, and boutiques. Join us at the open field across from Mind the Mat Del Ray (between our friends Bean Creative and Kiskadee).