Alexandria December 2018 Events
Through the 16th
“A Christmas Carol”
Various times
Admission: $20
The Little Theatre of Alexandria
600 Wolfe Street
703-683-0496
www.TheLittleTheatre.com
The Little Theatre of Alexandria rings in the holiday season with a return of the classic by Charles Dickens. Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserable, bitter old miser travels with ghostly guides through Christmas past, present and future to find the true meaning of the holidays. Complete with special effects, Victorian carols, and Tiny Tim, “A Christmas Carol” is a must-see for the entire family.
Through the 23rd
“Christmas at the Old Bull & Bush”
Various times
Admission: $55
MetroStage
1201 N. Royal Street
703-548-9044
www.MetroStage.org
The Old Bull and Bush Public House is alive with British music hall songs and carols, corny jokes and funny sketches, tuneful melodies, sing-a-longs and sausage rolls! Celebrate the holidays with Florrie Forde, the most famous music hall star of the era, and her troupe of British performers.
1st, 7th, 8th, & 16th
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Various times
Admission: $25 for adults (ages 12 and up); $17 for youth (ages 6-11)
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.
703-780-2000
www.MountVernon.org/CandleLight
Join Mount Vernon’s residents and visitors for a festive evening. The experience begins in the Ford Orientation Center, where you can enjoy the sounds of the holiday season and view spectacular Christmas trees highlighting the lives of the Washington’s. Light concessions will be available for purchase. The evening will conclude with live music in the Education Center Lobby and an opportunity to visit the Education Center exhibits and The Shops.
8th, 15th & 22nd
Photos with Santa in Old Town Alexandria
12 pm to 3 pm
Admission: Advance reservation required.
Hooray for Books!
1555 King Street
703-548-4092
Hooray for Books! and Visit Alexandria are pleased to present photos with the region’s most beloved Santa and Mrs. Claus. Advance reservation is required. To reserve a 10-minute slot for your child to meet with Santa, make any size donation to the bookstore’s special Santa account, which will be used to provide books, toys and games for the Alexandria Domestic Violence Program’s Holiday Party. The photographer from local studio Tisara Photography has been invited to take pictures for you at these events.
2nd, 7th-9th, 14th-16th
Del Ray Artisans’ 23rd Annual Holiday Market
Fridays, from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Free to browse
Del Ray Artisans
2704 Mount Vernon Avenue
703-838-4827
www.DelRayArtisans.org
Del Ray Artisans’ Annual Holiday Market offers unique handmade fine arts and crafts from local artists, including pottery/ceramics, photography, jewelry, fiber, paper crafts and glass. Different artists will be featured each weekend.
6th
Shops of Del Ray’s Ladies’ Night Out
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Throughout Mount Vernon Avenue
703-683-2570
www.VisitDelRay.com
Shop local and enjoy special promotions while sipping Virginia wine.
7th & 8th
Believe: Our Holiday Pops Concert
7:30 p.m.; 2 p.m. on Saturday
Admission: $25 premium reserved seating; $20 general admission; $15 groups of 10+, free children 5 and under
Convergence
1801 N. Quaker Lane
www.AlexandriaSingers.com
Join the Alexandria Singers for its annual holiday pops concert weekend as they weave pop and jazz arrangements of traditional holiday classics with new tunes that will instantly become your holiday favorites.
8th
How to Celebrate Kwanzaa Workshop
11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Admission: $2
Alexandria Black History Museum
902 Wythe Street
703-746-4356
AlexandriaVA.gov/BlackHistory
Have you ever wanted to celebrate Kwanzaa, but are not sure how to begin? Join the staff of the Alexandria Black History Museum and Marilyn Patterson, CEO of Joyous Events, for an informative morning that includes the history of Kwanzaa, and hints on easy to make crafts, games, gifts, recipes and holiday decorating.
Civil War Christmas in Camp
Noon to 4 p.m.
Admission: $2 suggested donation per person; $5 per family
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
4301 W. Braddock Road
703-746-4848
www.AlexandriaVA.gov/FortWard
Learn about Christmas traditions during the Civil War. Program features a patriotic Union Santa Claus, soldiers and civilians celebrating the holiday in winter camps, the decorated Officers’ Hut, a Victorian tree, fort tours and kids’ activities.
Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours
4 to 9 p.m.
Admission: $25 adults; $20 seniors (65 years and older) and active military; $5 children (ages 6-17)
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal Street
Carlyle House
121 N. Fairfax Street
Lee-Fendall House
614 Oronoco Street
703-746-4242
Travel through centuries of local history as you learn more about Alexandria during the holiday season at Carlyle House, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and the Lee-Fendall House. Enjoy each site by candlelight, smell seasonal greenery, sip on drinks and taste period inspired food. Seasonal libations will be available for purchase.
Del Ray Candy Cane Bar Crawl
4 p.m.
Admission: $10 for advanced tickets; $15 at the door
Throughout Mount Vernon Avenue
703-683-2570
www.VisitDelRay.com
Take a break from the bustle of holiday preparations and enjoy specialty cocktails, beer and food specials at select Del Ray restaurants during a neighborhood bar crawl to benefit local nonprofits.
14th & 15th
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
5:30 to 8:45 p.m.
Admission: $35 adult/$25 youth with mansion tour; $30 adult/$20 youth without mansion tour
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.
703-780-2000
www.MountVernon.org/Illuminations
Join Mount Vernon for an evening of family-friendly fun and fireworks choreographed to holiday music. Before the fireworks begin around 8:30 p.m., take a stroll through the estate while being serenaded by local choirs, visit with re-enactors from the First Virginia Regiment, and learn 18th-century dance moves from costumed guides in the Greenhouse. The Museum and Education Center will also be open from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
14th
Alexandria After-Work Concert Series
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
The Lyceum: Alexandria’s History Museum
201 S. Washington Street
Shop.AlexandriaVA.gov
Co-sponsored by the Office of Historic Alexandria and the Folklore Society of Greater Washington, join us for monthly Friday-night concerts on the second Friday of the month. The December program features Jim and Anna Holloway providing an illustrated lecture on Christmas traditions reflected in songs. The program will feature live music, the stories behind the songs and chances to sing-along. Free concert; donations will benefit the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum and the Folklore Society of Greater Washington. No ticket required, just show up and enjoy the music! Beer and wine for sale and light refreshments available.
15th
A Victorian Christmas
11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Admission: $10; free to members
Lee-Fendall House
614 Oronoco Street
703-548-1789
www.LeeFendallHouse.org
Experience a Victorian Christmas at the Lee-Fendall House. The house will be beautifully decorated for the season and there will be holiday crafts, photographs with Santa, seasonal treats, story time, an antique toy exhibit and more!
Portside Holidays: Storytime with Santa
3 to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Alexandria Waterfront Marina at the foot of Cameron Street near the Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union Street
703-746-3301
PortsideInOldTown.com
Join the region’s most beloved Santa and Mrs. Claus for a special story time that includes a reading of holiday stories like “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Take part in the Penny Post pop-up where you can write a letter to Santa that he will take back with him to the North Pole, enjoy a pop-up s’mores bar from The Capital Candy Jar, and warm up with a cup of hot cocoa from Dolci Gelati’s hot chocolate bar. Storytime with Santa is part of Portside in Old Town, Alexandria’s new waterfront programming series that offers free-to-the-public themed happenings in history, art, music and fitness with activities for families and for adults, plus additional pop-up experiences and events.
16th
Colonial Handbell Ringers Concert
2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
The Lyceum: Alexandria’s History Museum
201 S. Washington Street
703-746-4994
www.ColonialRingers.com
The Colonial English Handbell Ringers perform clad in colonial attire, bringing a 5-octave set of nearly 80 handbells from the world-famous Whitechapel foundry in London. The ringers will perform children’s classics, timeless holiday tunes and original show-stoppers. Audience participation in the sing-a-long encouraged.
24th
Waterskiing Santa
1 p.m.
Admission: Free
Alexandria’s Waterfront from the Alexandria City Marina and Waterfront Park
www.WaterskiingSanta.com
Now in its 33rd year, this favorite D.C.- area Christmas Eve event returns to Old Town Alexandria. Gather along historic Alexandria’s Potomac River waterfront for a spectacular show by Waterskiing Santa and his merry crew. The prime viewing area is the Alexandria City Marina and Waterfront Park. Come early to see the pre-show (on jet skis) and stay afterwards to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and their merry crew by the Christmas Tree.
31st
Ship Biscuit Ornament Making During First Night Alexandria
2 to 5p.m.
Admission: Free
Alexandria Archaeology Museum
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union Street #327
703-746-4399
www.AlexandriaArchaeology.org
An almost completely intact ship’s biscuit from the 18th century was found last year in Alexandria. To commemorate the discovery, visitors are invited to make their own ship’s biscuit. Each biscuit will be stamped with the year and then baked at home to track its preservation. No registration required. While supplies last.
First Night Alexandria
2 p.m. to midnight
Admission: $30 – December 1-30
$35 on December 31st
Afternoon activities: 2-5 p.m. including the 10th Annual First Night Alexandria Fun Hunt
Performances: 7 p.m.-midnight at warm indoor venues throughout Alexandria
Midnight fireworks: Potomac River at the foot of King Street
This annual New Year’s Eve music festival and more takes over Old Town Alexandria with more than 150 performances at 25 warm indoor venues. Come enjoy the Earth Wind & Fire Tribute Band, Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun Band, Vaughan Ambrose Trio, Magician Mike Rose, R&R DJs and many more entertainers while dancing into the New Year with DJ Ray Casiano. The afternoon’s 10th Annual First Night Alexandria Fun Hunt is a fun way to explore Old Town and take a chance on winning great prizes. From 6 to 9 p.m., families with children 12 years old and younger can enjoy the “Kids Karnival” at Charles Houston (Old Town), William Ramsay (West End) and Mount Vernon (Del Ray) Recreation Centers. There will be face painting, balloons, special hosts in costumes along with carnival styled games, dancing and fun. Join us for dancing on King Street near the waterfront beginning at 10 p.m. This safe, family-friendly and fun-filled day culminates with a spectacular First Night fireworks finale over the Potomac River at midnight.
Find more holiday events at www.visitalexandriava.com/holidays.