Just minutes from Washington, D.C. on the Potomac River waterfront, historic Alexandria, Virginia, welcomes families, friends and history-lovers to stay in and explore the city and the region to commemorate America’s 250th birthday.
250th experiences began in 2025 and will culminate this month with major events. Enjoy special events, tours, exhibits, public art, lectures, music, family activities and more. Extend your stay and easily connect to the experiences in D.C. and at the historic George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Alexandria has played a major role in the nation’s story and reflects its progress toward inclusivity. Find historic museums, 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. Museums and organizations across Alexandria tell this story year-round.
In addition to honoring the USA on its 250th, we celebrate Alexandria’s 277th Birthday this month. Hard to believe our fair city is 27 years OLDER than the entire country!
Join us as we commemorate America’s story in Alexandria. For more detailed information on the events listed here, log on to visitalexandria.com.
July 3 – July 4
Independence Fireworks at Mount Vernon
6 pm – 10 pm
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Enjoy a fun-filled evening with your family that includes dazzling fireworks and patriotic musical performances.
Meet General Washington and hear his special remarks as he commemorates the 250th anniversary of our nation.
Play 18th-century lawn games and experience a variety of demonstrations like dancing and blacksmithing.
Walk through history at a Revolutionary War encampment and immerse yourself in the daily life of soldiers, military officers, and the women and children who traveled with the army. 703-780-2000.
July 5th
Swedish Marching Band in Concert
11am – 12pm
John Carlyle Square
300 John Carlyle Street
Experience the energy, music, and dance performance of Göta Lejon – The Marching Show Band of Gothenburg, Sweden. Talented young marching performers are coming to town – all the way from Sweden to entertain the whole family! Gothenburg, Sweden and Alexandria’s sister city of Helsingborg, Sweden, located a short distance nearby, share a similar coastal geography, maritime heritage, and distinctly outward-looking, trade-oriented character that defines south western Sweden. Sponsored by the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee.
July 11th
Alexandria & USA Birthday Celebration!
6 pm – 9:45 pm
Oronoco Bay Park
100 Madison Street
Alexandria celebrates its 277th and the USA’s 250th birthday on Saturday the 11th at Oronoco Bay Park on the waterfront. Experience this annual and still one-of-a-kind Alexandria event with an evening filled with live music, food and drink vendors a grand finale fireworks display over the Potomac River. Admission is free.
Schedule Highlights:
- 6:00 p.m.: Introduction by NBC4’s Molette Green and opening musical acts.
- 7:30 p.m.: Official remarks from Mayor Alyia Gaskins and a poetry reading.
- 8:00 p.m.: Free birthday cupcakes handed out by the City Council.
- 8:30 p.m.: Performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra.
- 9:30 p.m.: Grand finale fireworks display.
For the full line-up and any weather-related schedule changes (such as the July 12 rain date), check the official Alexandria & USA Birthday Celebration portal at alexandriava.gov/birthday
July 11th
Disguised and Determined- Women Who Fought in the Civil War
2 PM – 3 PM
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
614 Oronoco Street
There are hundreds of documented cases of women who fought disguised as men during the Civil War. Tracey McIntire and Audrey Scanlan-Teller, PhD will discuss and share documentation of some of the more fascinating women and what motivated them to fight alongside men. Spend an afternoon with McIntire and Scanlan-Teller as the share their research in a house that once used to operate as a Union Army hospital.
Tickets are $15 to the general public and free for museum members. Members, please call at (703) 548-1789 to reserve your tickets. It is highly recommended to book tickets in advance as space is limited.
July 12th
Music to Celebrate America @ 250
3 pm – 4 pm
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
201 S. Washington Street
Join the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association for our 36th Annual Summer Sundays Chamber Music Series, LIVE at the Lyceum in Old Town Alexandria, every Sunday at 3 pm through August.
Music to Celebrate America @ 250 features Crystal Lee on flute, Brittany Pemberton on clarinet, and Elizabeth Hill on piano. Program includes works by Price, Muczynski, and Peterson. We look forward to seeing you at the Lyceum! No tickets required! ($25 Suggested Donation) 703-799-8229
July 18th
Rooted in Place: Discover Amazing Alexandria- Historic Walking Tour for Kids
Alexandria Visitor Center
221 King Street
History is a fun and exciting topic – especially in such a historic city like Alexandria! In this curated tour designed for youth, attendees will visit important sites around downtown and learn why it’s critical to study history.
Tailored for ages 6-12, this tour will appropriately cover tougher themes in Alexandria’s past. Led by a local historian and former K-12 educator, adults and kids alike will enjoy the stories and tales told! Attendees are encouraged to ask questions during the tour.
The suggested age of youth attendees is 6-12, but younger or older children are welcome to join. 301-708-1334
July 18th
Fairfax Resolves Walking Tour
10am – 11pm
Carlyle House
121 N. Fairfax Street
On July 18, 1774, 25 gentlemen from Fairfax County (including Alexandria) signed the Fairfax Resolves which rejected the British Parliament’s claim of supreme authority over the American colonies. Many of these men had ties to Alexandria and some of the buildings related to them are still standing. Join us on this walking tour to learn more about some of the signers and see sites that would have been familiar to them.
Tickets are $20 per person. Registration is required. Please wear comfortable shoes for this 1.5 hour guided tour. The tour will be held rain or shine unless there is severe weather. Note: The tour will meet Christ Church located at 118 N. Washington Street
Having trouble registering? Please email us at carlyle@nvrpa.org or call the museum at 703-549-2997