Alexandria April Calendar of Events
Premier Events
Cherry Blossom Pop-Up History Tours
TBA – see below
Two pop-up tours to occur during peak bloom weekend
Admission: $12 per adults; $5 per child
Tour departs from the Alexandria Visitor Center
221 King Street
Discover Alexandria will be offering a Cherry Blossom Pop-Up History Tour in April. The tour will occur twice over peak bloom weekend. The tour offers the best of both worlds, combining local history with great cherry blossom sightseeing. The tour dates and times will be announced approximately one week in advance via Discover Alexandria’s website and social media platforms. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing: discoveralexandria@gmail.com.
27th
86th Annual Old Town Alexandria Historic Homes & Garden Tour
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: $45 in advance; $55 day-of at The Athenaeum or Old Presbyterian Meeting House
www.VAGardenWeek.org
Five of Old Town Alexandria’s finest private homes and gardens will open to the public as part of Historic Garden Week in Virginia, the nation’s oldest and largest collection of house and garden tours. The homes will feature beautiful floral arrangements created by the members of the Garden Club of Alexandria and the Hunting Creek Garden Club, the tour’s sponsors. This walking tour features private townhomes and secluded gardens located along the tree-lined streets of Alexandria’s historic district, plus refreshments and a marketplace at The Athenaeum. Tour tickets also provide access to two Garden Club of Virginia restoration projects, located at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Green Spring Gardens. Tour attendees also are encouraged to stop by the Alexandria Visitor Center at historic Ramsay House, where the garden is undergoing a major renovation that will create a more accessible and sustainable design to welcome visitors to Old Town Alexandria.
Events Throughout the Month
1st, 7th, May 5th & 26th
Geek Tour: Behind the Scenes
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Admission: $15
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
105-107 S. Fairfax Street
703-746-3852
www.alexandriava.gov/apothecary
Spend more time touring the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum with an expert guide. You’ll enjoy special access to the rarely-open basement and third floor of the historic pharmacy. Wear comfortable shoes, be prepared for stairs and bring your camera.
6th and May 4th
Factory Flow: A Healthy Arts Series
8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Admission: $20
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union Street
703-746-4590
www.torpedofactory.org
Find inner peace and creativity with this early-morning series focused on art, health and imagination. Sessions feature sound artists, yoga teachers, dance instructors and more. Visit www.torpedofactory.org for tickets and to pre-register.
6th
Cherry Blossom Celebration
April 6, 2019, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union Street
703-746-4590
www.torpedofactory.org
Enjoy an indoor hanami (flower viewing) in the Torpedo Factory Art Center and revel in all things cherry blossom. Artists show and make work inspired by the popular pink and white blooms. Find a bevy of activities and performances to enjoy this regional celebration in Alexandria.
3rd Annual Del Ray Bar Crawl
1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: $15 in advance; $20 at the door
Various Locations
Mount Vernon Avenue
Del Ray Area of Alexandria
www.visitdelray.com
Don’t miss this community bar crawl featuring food and drink specials at top neighborhood restaurants, raffles and more. Proceeds benefit Rebuilding Together Alexandria and the beautification of Mount Vernon Avenue. For ticket information, visit www.visitdelray.com.
12th
Late Shift at the Torpedo Factory: Art on the Horizon
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: Free
Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-746-4590
www.torpedofactory.org
Enjoy gallery talks, artist receptions, music, live performances, hands-on artmaking and three floors of open artists’ studios at the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s monthly Late Shift event. Look toward the future with a night of new and innovative art and ideas. Meet up-and-coming talent during Target Gallery’s opening for the 2019 Emerging Artists exhibition. Explore Mirror Mirror, a new temporary public art installation at Waterfront Park by SOFTlab, a New York-based design studio led by artist and architect Michael Szivos.
19th – 21st
20th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Lee-Fendall House
3 p.m. on April 19; 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on April 20; and 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on April 21
Admission: $15
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
614 Oronoco Street
703-548-1789
www.leefendallhouse.org
The Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt returns to Alexandria on Easter weekend. Once again, the museum’s garden will be filled with hundreds of colorful, toy-filled Easter eggs. Other activities include games, crafts, refreshments and photos with the Easter Bunny. $15 for children ages 1-12; $5 for adults; free for infants under 1 years old; discounted tickets available for Friends of the Lee-Fendall House. Tickets are available online.
20th – 28th
AIA Northern Virginia Architecture Week
Admission: Prices vary depending on the event
Old Town Walking Tour is $10
Throughout Old Town Alexandria
aianova.org/architectureweek.php
For architecture buffs, Architecture Week presents a week of activities, including tours, lectures, exhibits, and family activities planned by local architects. Architecture Week is held every April as part of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) nationwide celebration of our built environment. AIA Northern Virginia will offer a wide variety of architecture-themed events including the always popular walking tour of Old Town Alexandria, focusing on historic churches this year, an exhibit of award-winning buildings at the Torpedo Factory Art Center and family activities including a Scrap City and scavenger hunt through Old Town. To learn more, visit aianova.org/architectureweek.php.
27th – May 18th
“The Savannah Disputation”
Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m.
Admission: tickets from $21
The Little Theatre of Alexandria
600 Wolfe Street
703-683-5778
www.thelittletheatre.com
The subject is damnation, but “The Savannah Disputation” is as light and sweet as the iced tea served by the odd-couple sisters in their proper southern home. But the sisters quickly lose their southern charm when a young door-to-door evangelist comes knocking to save their souls. This theological comedy with a twist blends the sharpness of wit with the depth of character while telling a story of a crisis of faith.
28th
35th Annual Parkway Classic 10 Mile, 5K and Kid’s Dash
8:00 a.m.
Admission: $10-$80
Old Town Alexandria; starting places vary
www.parkwayclassic.com
The Parkway Classic is Alexandria’s hometown race, and so much more, with the Parkway route connecting two of the area’s most historic spots. The starting gun (sadly, there is no musket) fires steps from the picturesque George Washington’s Mount Vernon. From there, participants travel down the tree-lined George Washington Memorial Parkway to another area associated with Washington, charming Old Town Alexandria. In addition to the 10-mile distance, a 5K and kid’s dash are available. The Parkway Classic supports the Boys and Girls Club of Alexandria and has been voted a favorite spring race by Run Washington Magazine. Join Pacers Running for the 35th Annual Parkway Classic.
Find more spring events at www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com/Spring.
ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VA
Named the #1 Best Value U.S. Travel Destination 2018 by Money magazine, a Top 5 Best Small City in the U.S. 2018 by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the South’s Prettiest Cities 2018 by Southern Living, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable lifestyle—a welcoming weekend escape next to our nation’s capital. A nationally designated historic district founded in 1749, Old Town Alexandria is home to more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques alongside intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront. At the heart of it all is bustling King Street, a walkable mile recognized as one of the “Great Streets” of America. New restaurants tucked in to 18th- and 19th-century architecture still intact from the city’s days as George Washington’s hometown ignite historic and off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods as the waterfront district evolves with new energy. Learn more at www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com.