2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 18th Mount Vernon by Candlelight 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission: Members: $26 for adults; $18 for youth; Non-members: $36 for adults; $28 for youth George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org/candlelight Enjoy a candlelit guided tour and learn about holiday traditions in 18th-century Virginia and the build-up to the American Revolution as Alexandria celebrates the 250th anniversary of the year 1772. 2nd-4th, 9th-11th, 16th-18th Del Ray Artisans’ Fine Art and Fine Craft Holiday Market 6 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays Admission: Free Del Ray Artisans 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-838-4827 delrayartisans.org The 27th Annual Holiday Market is open for the first 3 weekends in December, featuring different artists each weekend. The market offers unique handmade fine arts and fine crafts from local artists presenting a variety of mediums. The gallery is free, open to the public and accessible. 4th, 11th & 18th Holiday Markets at Old Town North 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission: Free Montgomery Park 901 N Royal Street oldtownnorth.org Shop for local gifts while celebrating the Christmas season with dozens of vendors offering an array of baked goods and produce, specialty food items, seasonal decorations and fresh greenery and gifts. 4th & 16th Specialty Tour: A Magical Apothecary 4th from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; 16th 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Admission: $15 per person, $12 for Office of Historic Alexandria members Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum 105-107 S Fairfax Street 703-746-3852 shop.alexandriava.gov Learn about the muggle botanical science that inspired the potions and herbology of Harry Potter’s wizarding world on a tour of this 19th-century apothecary, plus, make your own magical potion. This event is recommended for children ages 8 and up. 7th Family Holiday Magic Show 7 to 8 p.m. Admission: Free; reservations encouraged The Lyceum 201 S Washington Street…
12th 27th Annual Art on the Avenue 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: Free Mount Vernon Avenue between Hume & Bellefonte Avenues artontheavenue.org The 27th annual arts festival held in the Del Ray features more than 350 juried artists, from quilters to card-makers to cartographers, displaying their one-of-a-kind wares. Arrive with an appetite and grab a bite from 20+ food vendors and set to the soundtrack of live music along the avenue. 12th & 13th Art Fest at Torpedo Factory Art Center 12 to 4 p.m. 105 N Union Street 703-746-4570 torpedofactory.org Shop for affordable art deals on all three floors of the Art Center while enjoying drinks from local craft brewers and wineries. Choose from a selection of tiered tickets for drinks plus a discount on selected affordable art (varies on each day). Plus, live music and performances. 19th City of Alexandria Tree Lighting Ceremony 6 to 7 pm Market Square 301 King Street 703-746-5592 Alexandriava.gov/calendar Ring in the city’s official start to the holiday season with the lighting of the 40-foot tree adorned with nearly 40,000 twinkling lights, plus enjoy appearances from Alexandria’s Town Crier and Santa himself. 24th Del Ray’s 47th Annual Alexandria Turkey Trot 9 a.m. Registration: Standard $20, Children 13-20 $15, Children Under 13 $5 Start: South Crosswalk, Mt Vernon and East Spring alexandriaturkeytrot.com Alexandria’s favorite Thanksgiving morning tradition, the Alexandria Turkey Trot, returns to the streets of Del Ray on Th., Nov. 24 at 9 a.m. In the spirit of the season, participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for ALIVE. 24th & 25th – Dec. 2nd,3rd, 9th, 10th Mount Vernon by Candlelight 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission: Members: $26 adult, $18 youth; Non-members: $36 adult, $28 youth George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Mount Vernon 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org Enjoy a candlelit guided…
Autumn brings favorite art events, outdoor festivals, Halloween haunts and bright-hued foliage to Alexandria, Virginia, located minutes from Washington D.C., on the Potomac River. Voted a Travel + Leisure Best City in the U.S. 2022, Alexandria boasts beautifully preserved historic architecture to enjoy on the 80th Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour or during a goosebumps-inducing Ghost & Graveyard Tour. Explore events celebrating Ethiopian culture, browse al fresco art festivals including Carlyle’s 20th Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival and Del Ray’s 27th Annual Art on the Avenue, attend ever-popular autumn events at George Washington’s Mount Vernon like the Fall Harvest Festival, plus many more seasonal happenings. Nightly in October Alexandria Colonial Tours’ Ghost & Graveyard Tour 7:30 pm M-Th 8:30 & 9 pm Fri & Sat Admission: $$ Alexandria Visitor Center 221 King Street alexcolonialtours.com Walk your way through the charming streets of historic Old Town Alexandria. Follow a colonial-costumed guide by lantern light for an engaging history tour on Alexandria’s original Ghost & Graveyard Tour. During this entertaining tour, you’ll hear ghost stories, legends, folklore, unsolved mysteries, tales of romance and angry ghosts looking for revenge. 1st 27th Annual Art on the Avenue 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: Free Mount Vernon Ave. between Hume Ave. and Bellefonte Avenue artontheavenue.org The 27th annual arts festival held in the Del Ray features more than 350 juried artists, from quilters to card-makers to cartographers, displaying their one-of-a-kind wares. Arrive with an appetite and grab a bite from 20+ food vendors and set to the soundtrack of live music along the avenue. 5th Waterfront Wednesday Music Series 5 to 7 p.m. Admission: Free Robinson Landing Promenade and Pier 7 Pioneer Mill Way oldtownbusiness.org Head to Robinson Landing for the Waterfront Wednesday Music Series presented by Yellow Door Music Concert Series featuring a range of music genres by local musicians. Bring a chair or simply stop by to enjoy some…
Featured Fall Events 17th 20th Annual Alexandria Art Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Free 300 John Carlyle Street artfestival.com/festivals Rated one of the top 100 art shows in Sunshine Artist Magazine, the annual art festival features a variety of works exemplifying the gifted artists in regions from all over the country. 17th & 18th Colonial Market & Fair at Mount Vernon September 17 and 18, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Included with general admission ($28 per adult; $15 per youth; free for children 5 and under); free for members George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org Take in the sights and sounds of the marketplace on Mount Vernon’s 12-acre field. Chat with colonial artisans selling traditional handcrafted food and wares, hear live music from the colonial era and watch as expert artisans demonstrate period crafting techniques. Plus, see General Washington in the General’s Tent. 24th 80th Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: $40 in advance; $45 day of tour Various locations throughout Old Town thetwig.org/homes-tour The TWIG’s 80th Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour will showcase seven addresses including a home recently featured in Southern Living magazine, a home shaded by a 75-year-old fig tree and a home with a guest room featuring an “Alexandria-centric,” hand-painted mural. Docents will share interesting information and details about each property. Proceeds from the tour support Inova Alexandria Hospital which is celebrating 150 years of serving the health and wellness of the community. Oct 1st 27th Annual Art on the Avenue 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: Free Mount Vernon Ave. between Hume and Bellefonte Avenues artontheavenue.org The 27th annual arts festival held in the Del Ray features more than 350 juried artists, from quilters to card-makers to cartographers, displaying their one-of-a-kind wares. Arrive with an appetite…
Sundays through September 4th Junior Docents at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Admission: $5 per adult; $3 per child (ages 5 to 12) and free for city residents Gadsby’s Tavern Museum 134 N. Royal Street alexandriava.gov/GadsbysTavern Gadsby’s Tavern Museum’s Junior Docent Program is back with an exciting new offering this summer thanks to American Heritage Chocolate! Every Sunday, through Labor Day weekend, from 2 to 5 p.m. guests can meet Junior Docents (grades 4 and older) who will be stationed throughout the tavern. They will be sharing the history of the early America and the tavern, but also the history of chocolate, including a hands-on demonstration of historic chocolate-making in the ballroom. Through October 7th Potomac Paddle Club Booze Cruises Admission: $75 per person 107 N. Union Street seasuitecruises.com/locations/potomac-paddle-club-alexandria 202-656-3336 The nation’s capital’s only passenger pedal boat, the Potomac Paddle Club, is cruising its second season from Old Town Alexandria. Passengers have the option of cruising southbound underneath the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, past the Jones Point Lighthouse and around the channel markers to National Harbor and back or cruising northbound towards either DC’s Wharf or Navy Yard before circling back to Old Town for a total cruise time of two hours. The 20-passenger vessel is powered by ten cycle stations surrounding a mahogany bar. The party is bring-your-own-food and drink and is assisted by a captain and motor if needed, allowing guests to enjoy monumental views on an intimate cruise at their own pace. Through November 13th Lives Worth Celebrating: Stories of Resilience, Rebellion and Freedom at Lee-Fendall House Admission: $7 per person Lee-Fendall House 614 Oronoco Street 703-548-1789 leefendallhouse.org Explore a timeline of major events related to the history of slavery in the Americas as you learn about legendary African American leaders, stories of self-liberation and family legacies including the descendants…
4th An American Celebration at George Washington’s Mount Vernon 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Included with general admission ($28 for adults; $15 for youth ages 6 to 11; free for children); free for members George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org/july4 Salute the first commander-in-chief during Mount Vernon’s annual Independence Day event. Meet George Washington, watch made-for-daytime fireworks, and observe a moving ceremony in which people from across the world become U.S. citizens. July 9th Alexandria’s 273rd Birthday Celebration 6 to 9:45 p.m. Admission: Free Oronoco Bay Park 100 Madison Street alexandriava.gov The City of Alexandria celebrates its 273rd birthday and the USA’s 246th birthday on Saturday, July 9, with a performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and a grand finale fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Enjoy the return of the big birthday experience of years past with cupcakes, local vendors, live music and an extended runtime. More Summer Events & Tours For more summer events and activities in Alexandria, see the listings below and explore more at VisitAlexandria.com/Summer. Through August First Thursdays in Del Ray 6 p.m. Admission: Free Various locations in Del Ray visitdelray.com Held the first Thursday from April to August along Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, First Thursday is a series of free outdoor street festivals that bring the community together around a fun theme, benefiting a local nonprofit. This summer’s themes include “Unmask Your Superhero First Thursday,” “First Thursday Red, White & Blue,” “First Thursday Aloha Thursday” and “First Thursday Show Your Spirit,” respectively. Sundays Through September 4th Junior Docents at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Admission: $5 per adult; $3 per child (ages 5 to 12) and free for city residents Gadsby’s Tavern Museum 134 N. Royal Street alexandriava.gov/GadsbysTavern Gadsby’s Tavern Museum’s Junior Docent Program is back with an exciting new offering this summer thanks to American Heritage Chocolate!…
The perfect home base for visitors, Alexandria is a welcoming and inclusive destination mere minutes away from D.C.’s Capital Pride activities occurring throughout the month. Plan your stay in Old Town Alexandria with special Pride Month hotel packages. Explore more ways to celebrate Pride Month in Alexandria at VisitAlexandria.com/Pride. June 4th 5th Annual Celebrate Alexandria Pride Event 1 to 4 p.m. Admission: Free Charles Houston Recreation Center 901 Wythe Street alexandriava.gov/LGBTQ The Alexandria LGBTQ+ Task Force invites you to join its 5th Annual Celebrate Alexandria Pride Event at Charles Houston Recreation Center. Back by popular demand in partnership with the Alexandria Library is “Drag Queen Story Time with Venus” at 2 p.m., perfect for children ages 3 to 8. Enjoy spoken word with C. Thomas at 3 p.m. Collect Pride swag, enjoy music and food, make some art, pose for a Pride pic, and learn about LGBTQ-inclusive services in Alexandria. Free and confidential HIV testing available. June 10th The Late Shift: ALX Pride at the Torpedo Factory Art Center 7 to 10 p.m. Admission: Free Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N Union Street 703-746-4570 torpedofactory.org ALX Pride is a community-focused event to celebrate LGBTQ+ creatives in Alexandria and beyond with a night of arts projects along the waterfront and the Union Street entrances as well as throughout the building in a myriad of styles and celebrations. June 21st Make Your Own Pride Patches 12 to 1:30 p.m. Admission: Free Barrett Branch Library 717 Queen Street alexlibraryva.org Teens are invited to come to the Barrett Branch Library to make a LGBTQIA+ Pride patch that can be added to your jacket, your backpack or wherever you like. Make a patch in one of four styles for yourself and for friends. Please wear clothing you don’t mind getting ruined. Weather permitting, the workshop will take place outside. Otherwise, it will take place on the second floor…
Main Events 17th & 18th Portside in Old Town Summer Festival 6 to 9 p.m., Fri. – 1 to 9 p.m. Admission: Free Waterfront Park 1A Prince Street portsidefestival.com Kick off summer with the return of the Portside in Old Town Summer Festival. This free festival features an array of live music, local craft beer from Port City Brewing Company and fun for the whole family on the Alexandria waterfront. New this year, the event merges with the 44th Annual Alexandria Jazz Fest on Friday evening to showcase jazz performances and readings by Alexandria poets. Saturday the festival continues with an eclectic musical lineup, local food, hands-on art and history activities and more. The Portside in Old Town Summer Festival is produced by Visit Alexandria in partnership with the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts, a division of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. 10th – 12th George Washington’s Mount Vernon Summerfest 6 to 9 p.m. Admission: $48 for general public; $40 for members George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org/summerfest Experience Mount Vernon after hours and sample craft beer from breweries from throughout the region while enjoying live music. Your ticket includes a commemorative tasting cup and eight tasting tickets. Additional tastings are available to purchase on-site. 24th & 25th Independence Fireworks at George Washington’s Mount Vernon 6 to 9:30 p.m. Admission with mansion tour: $50 for general public; $40 for member; $38 for youth; $28 for youth member Admission without mansion tour: $45 for general public; $35 for member; $33 for youth; $22 for youth member George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org/fireworks Enjoy an evening of family fun and fireworks along with patriotic music to celebrate our nation’s founding. Tickets are available with or without Mansion tours. Access to the Mansion…
Main Attractions! 2nd Annual Alexandria Old Town Springtime Art Festival May 14th & 15th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Free John Carlyle Square 300 John Carlyle Street thecarlylecommunity.com The Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival is heading back to John Carlyle Square in 2022. All artwork is juried, which provides a higher level of quality, diversity and creativity of art on display, exemplifying the gifted artists in regions from all over the country. The show is rated as one of the top 100 art shows in Sunshine Artist Magazine. Please be mindful and follow all CDC guidelines. The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style May 22nd 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: Free 200-400 blocks of King Street 100 blocks of N. Royal and N. Fairfax Streets festivalspeedstylealex.com The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, presented by Burke & Herbert Bank, highlights the unique offerings of the Old Town community—history, architecture, great food, fabulous people, art, style and energy. All proceeds benefit USO Washington-Baltimore and ALIVE! View dozens of rare and exotic cars up close, made famous by their speed, performance and elegance. This will be enhanced by a presentation of style, fashion and live music provided by over 40 local merchants. More Spring Events & Tours First Thursday in Del Ray May 5th 6 p.m. Admission: Free Various locations in Del Ray in Alexandria visitdelray.com First Thursday is a series of free outdoor street festivals that bring the community together around a fun theme, benefiting a local non-profit. The May theme is Dog Days in Del Ray. Be sure to bring your pooch. Secret Garden Concert Series at The Rectory on Princess Street Various Dates through June 23rd 5 and 6:30 p.m. Admission: $25 to 45 per person The Rectory 711 Princess Street 703-683-6040 classicalmovements.com Classical…
April 2nd– May 1st Torpedo Factory Cherry Blossom Events 105 N. Union Street 703-746-4590 Torpedofactory.org Cherry Blossom Exhibition Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Art lovers are encouraged to stop by the Torpedo Factory Art Center throughout April to view floral art displayed on all three floors. Masks are required for all visitors regardless of vaccination status. April 10th Cherry Blossom Jubilee 12 to 3 p.m. Kick off the celebrations at noon with a live performance by taiko drum group Nen Daiko on the waterfront side of the Art Center all while enjoying music and live art demonstrations from participating artists. New Art Installation On the Waterfront! I Love You On display through November Admission: Free Waterfront Park 1A Prince Street visitalexandriava.com/public-art I Love You, the latest temporary art installation on Old Town Alexandria’s waterfront is a luminous declaration of affection from the city to the public, creating a photo-ready postcard of Alexandria which represents the city’s welcoming spirit and a message of hope through the COVID-19 pandemic. Created by award-winning and globally recognized R & R STUDIOS, I Love You is a plaza with the words “I Love You” scripted in rose-hued metal and lighted neon standing 15 feet high above a pink ground mural emulating a giant “magic carpet.” This “social sculpture” utilizes three words at once universal and utterly personal to establish a place of encounter, friendship and camaraderie on the river. Miami-based R & R Studios is helmed by husband-and-wife Argentinian-born, American architects Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt. I Love You is the fourth installation of the City of Alexandria’s annual temporary public art series, “Site See: New Views in Old Town.” 2nd ALX Dog Walk check-in from 7 to 7:45 a.m.; walk from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Admission: Regular registration: $35; Teens ages 13 to…
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