As milder weather boosts moods and blossoms brighten spirits, springtime events abound in Alexandria, Virginia, located minutes from Washington, D.C., on the Potomac River and recognized by Travel + Leisure among the Best Cities in the U.S. 2023 and a Condé Nast Traveler Best Small City in the U.S. 2023. Spring brings fresh happenings including a new waterfront public art installation, Interstellar Influencer (Make an Impact), and time-honored favorites like the annual Old Town Alexandria Historic Homes & Gardens Tour, part of the 91st Historic Garden Week in Virginia. Plus, four-legged friends can take part in the spring festivities with the 2nd Annual Del Ray Dog Fest and the ALX Dog Walk, featuring a new Sustainability Festival.
For more spring events and activities in Alexandria, see the listings below and learn more at VisitAlexandria.com/Spring.
14th
Del Ray Dog Fest
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Yappy Hour from 3 to 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
George Washington Middle School Parking Lot
1005 Mount Vernon Avenue
The 2nd Annual Del Ray Dog Fest is a fun outdoor event that will include dog-centered activities, dog menu items, live music, vendors and food on Sunday, April 14 at the George Washington Middle School parking lot. This festival is dog-friendly and outdoors, rain or shine. After the event, enjoy a “Yappy Hour” for owners and pets at participating restaurants. The event benefits Aussie Rescue of the Mid-Atlantic, an incredible local rescue started in Del Ray that is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue made up of Australian Shepherd owners. Special thanks to the presenting sponsor, The Peele Group.
20th
ALX Dog Walk and Sustainability Festival
7 to 11 a.m.
Admission: Free
Oronoco Bay Park
100 Madison Street
703-717-3672
Walkers and dogs alike can enjoy a two-mile walk down historic Union Street and return to the park along the beautiful waterfront walk for the awards celebration of music, prizes, treats, kids’ activities, dog fun and much more. Each registered walker receives a goodie bag, packed with sustainable items, a t-shirt, one free raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes and a dog bandana. New this year, the event will include a Sustainability Festival, the first of its kind in the area, promoting sustainable living and shedding light on the critical issue of plastic pollution. The Sustainability Festival will feature 25 organizations showcasing sustainable products, services and programs.
20th
91st Old Town Alexandria Historic Homes & Gardens Tour
10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission: $55 per person
Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria
Overlooking the Potomac River with views of our nation’s capital, Old Town Alexandria radiates charm while safeguarding its rich historic roots. In 1946, Alexandria was the third city in the country to establish a historic district to preserve its architectural heritage. This easy walking tour of Old Town Alexandria includes private townhomes and secluded gardens located along the tree lined streets of the historic district. In addition, the tour ticket includes admission to two Garden Club of Virginia restoration projects within a short driving distance of the tour area—George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Green Spring Gardens. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.com.
28th
PNC Parkway Classic
5K begins at 7:30 a.m.
10-miler begins at 8 a.m.
Kid’s Dash begins at 10:30 a.m.
Admission: $$
George Washington’s Mount Vernon and
Old Town Alexandria
Lace up your running shoes for the 2024 PNC Parkway Classic. The Parkway Classic 5K course starts and finishes at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street) with a scenic and one-of-a-kind course through historic Old Town, Alexandria. Meanwhile, the 10-miler starts at George Washington’s Mount Vernon (3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.) and finishes at Oronoco Bay Park with a scenic point-to-point course down the George Washington Memorial Parkway and through Old Town. The exciting 600-meter Kid’s Dash is designed for kids 12 and under (one parent is welcome to run alongside their little ones; no registration required). Each Dash participant will receive a special race bib and a finisher medal. There will be a limited number of Kid’s Dash spots, so register early.
ABOUT ALEXANDRIA
Recognized by Travel + Leisure among the Best Cities in the U.S. 2023 and voted a Condé Nast Traveler Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2023, Alexandria is a welcoming weekend escape on the Potomac River, minutes from Washington, D.C. Founded in 1749 and boasting the nation’s third oldest historic district, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel. Stroll Old Town Alexandria’s King Street mile to find more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques plus intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront. Explore vibrant neighborhoods beyond Old Town, trace George Washington and the Founding Fathers’ footsteps and follow the stories of Black Americans who shaped the history of Alexandria and the United States.
Connect with us!
Web: VisitAlexandria.com
Facebook: VisitAlexandriaVA
Twitter: AlexandriaVA
Instagram: VisitAlexVA
Hashtag: #visitALX
Interstellar Influencer (Make an Impact)
On Display Through November
Admission: Free
Waterfront Park
1A Prince Street
visitalexandriava.com/public-art
Interstellar Influencer (Make an Impact) was unveiled late last month. It is the sixth annual temporary public art installation at Waterfront Park and will be on display until as part of the City of Alexandria’s Site See: New Views in Old Town series.
eCreated by Brooklyn-based, award-winning artist/architect duo Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang of STUDIOKCA, the installation explores the impact of an asteroid that hit the earth 35 million years ago near what is now Alexandria. Interstellar Influencer uses metal, water and light to create a 1:1000 scale representation of the asteroid and the 85-kilometer wide, 1.5-kilometer-deep crater it left behind, that shaped the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed and the flow of water through its rivers and tributaries.