Saturday, March 4th 12:30 pm Held annually on the first Saturday in March, the Parade has grown to be the largest one-day event in Old Town Alexandria. Featuring pipe bands, Irish dance schools, community groups, and a host of other musicians and performers. It is a fantastic day to spend with family or friends. For over 40 years, the Ballyshaners have been pleased to provide Alexandrians with the finest Irish celebrations. Join us as our parade steps out once again! The parade will officially start at the corner of King and Alfred Streets at 12:15 pm and proceed east on to King Street, finishing at the corner of Lee and Cameron Streets. With thousands of spectators and participants expected, parade goers are encouraged to take advantage of public transportation. The closest Metro is the Blue Line, King Street/Old Town. There is a free trolley from the Metro, or the activities can be reached by a short 10 minute walk down King Street. Come early and check out the morning’s events. The classic cars are back this year as well as the very popular dog show sponsored by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Be sure to doll up your pooch and let them strut their best Irish stuff around Old Town as well. 09:00AM – 11:00AM Classic Car Show 100-111 N. Pitt Street 11:00AM – 12:00PM Animal Welfare League Dog Show 300 King Street at the Fountain in front of Grand Reviewing Stand About the Ballyshaners: Ballyshaners means “Old Towners” in Gaelic, the Irish language. Ballyshaners, Inc. was founded in 1980 by a small group of dedicated volunteers for the explicit purpose of organizing a Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Old Town, Alexandria. The Parade is now well into its fourth decade and the number and variety of participants is…
Nothing is more symbolic of springtime in the D.C. region than cherry blossoms. This year, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the fluffy pink and white wonders in Alexandria, VA. Take a stroll along Old Town Alexandria’s picturesque streets lined with cherry blossoms and flowering trees and enjoy food and drink specials available for in-person dining or takeout. See the D.C. cherry blossoms from a Potomac River perch with high-speed water taxi tours or take a bike ride to the Tidal Basin. Don’t forget to check out highly anticipated return of The National Cherry Blossom Festival from March 20 to April 16th. Find events that honor both American and Japanese cultures, such as the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s Cherry Blossom Jubilee. Learn more about cherry blossom experiences in Alexandria at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/CherryBlossoms and find a list of cherry blossom tours, special events and food and drink offerings. Beginning March 18th Water Taxi to the Wharf to See Cherry Blossoms Departures beginning at 1:30 p.m.; check website for details Admission: Starting at $23 one-way; $37 round-trip for adults Departs from the Alexandria Marina 1 Cameron Street 703-684-0580 citycruises.com Cruise from Old Town Alexandria to Washington, D.C., to enjoy the famous cherry blossoms from the water. City Cruises Potomac Water Taxi offers a 25-minute direct water taxi from Old Town to The Wharf development in D.C. From the dock at The Wharf, it is a 10-minute walk to the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin. The water taxi docks at the Transit Pier, 950 Wharf St. SW, near the Tidal Basin, the National Mall, Haines Point and a Capital Bikeshare station. March 20th through April 16th Cherry Blossom Guided Tours with Pedego Electric Bikes Alexandria Departures at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on weekends; by appointment on weekdays Admission: $69 per bike ($10 for passenger riders on cargo or tandem bikes) Pedego Alexandria 210 North Lee Street 571-312-5168 pedegoalexandria.com Join a three-hour guided tour from Old Town…
From a self-taught mathematician who mapped out the nation’s capital to abolitionist sisters who partnered with Frederick Douglass to the first Black athlete to play in the NBA, African American change makers have shaped the history of Alexandria, VA, and the United States. Throughout the Month Martin Luther King, Jr., Poster Exhibition Admission: Free Vola Lawson Library at Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street See the entries from the 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Poster Exhibition on view in the Lawson Lobby of City Hall. More than 120 drawings from Alexandria City Public School students are featured. 11th Black History Bus Tour 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 12 to 1:30 p.m. Admission: $30 per person Alexandria Black History Museum 902 Wythe Street 703-719-2150 manumissiontours.com Ride with Manumission Tour Company on a 90-minute guided bus tour to visit various African American historic sites in Alexandria. You will hear stories of both enslaved and free African Americans prior to the Civil War as well as understand the stories behind some of Alexandria’s most well-known African American historic sites. African Americans at Arlington National Cemetery 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Admission: Free; registration preferred Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library 717 Queen Street 703-746-1703 alexlibraryva.org African Americans have been connected to Arlington National Cemetery since its origins as a plantation through the Freedman’s Village to the trailblazers of the Civil Rights Movement. Learn about the connection of African Americans to Arlington National Cemetery. Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Library Events Our Faces in Film Series Admission: Free Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library 5005 Duke Street 703-746-1702 alexlibraryva.org February 3, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.: “Brown Sugar” February 10, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.: “The Wiz” February 14, from 6 to 7:45 p.m.: “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” February 17, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.: “Soul”…
The City of Alexandria, Virginia, the adopted hometown of George Washington, celebrates his birthday each year with events throughout February. The highlight will be on February 20, 2023, when Alexandria residents and visitors will line the streets of Old Town Alexandria to cheer on the oldest and largest George Washington Birthday parade in the country. 1st – 15th 2023 Cherry Challenge Restaurant Contest Participating Restaurants (see website) The “Cherry Challenge” is a competition among the finer restaurants in Alexandria. Each restaurant will develop its own cherry cocktail, appetizer, entrée, and/or dessert in honor of our distinguished native son, of course! The competing restaurants and their entries will be listed on the George Washington Birthday Celebration website and Facebook page, and the winners will be announced on Parade Day. http://washingtonbirthday.com/events-1/2023/2/1/cherry-challenge-restaurant-contest 1st – 28th “Hunt for Washington” 12:00 PM Locations throughout Alexandria A fun and challenging game to uncover clues about Alexandria and George Washington. The hunt, which should take about 60-90 minutes to complete, will take individuals and families to places in Old Town Alexandria associated with the General. http://washingtonbirthday.com/events-1/2023/1/10/huntforwashington 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th George Washington’s Alexandria Tour 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Christ Church 118 North Washington Street On every Sunday in February 2023, at 2:00 p.m., you can explore historic Old Town Alexandria as George Washington knew it! This popular two-hour guided walking tour will visit sites associated with Washington and his closest colleagues, including Christ Church, Light Horse Harry Lee’s house, the Lord Fairfax home, Washington’s townhouse, Gadsby’s Tavern, Duvall Tavern, Wise’s Tavern, the Carlyle House, Market Square, Ramsay House, the Apothecary Shop, and Gentry Row. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/ and search George Washington’s Alexandria. FREE. 11th Chocolate with General Washington 2:00 PM 3:00 PM George Washington Masonic National Memorial Children (and accompanying adults) are invited to spend an hour with General…
Through the 8th “The Golden Age of Toys” Exhibit 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $ Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden 614 Oronoco Street 703-548-1789 leefendallhouse.org Join Lee-Fendall House Museum for this special holiday exhibit and venture into the golden age of toys from 1870 to 1920. Learn how toy production was perfected in the era when Christmas first became associated with toys and gift-giving and explore some highlights from the Lee-Fendall collection. The exhibit is free with general admission. 7th – February 26th Ice Skating at Cameron Run Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $ 4001 Eisenhower Avenue 703-760-0767 cameroniceandlights.com It just wouldn’t be winter without outdoor ice skating. Grab your hat and scarf and head to Cameron Run Regional Park for an afternoon of ice-skating bliss. Ice skating reservations are required. Tickets are on sale now. ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA Named a Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. in 2021 by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the South’s Best Cities on the Rise 2022 by Southern Living, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable lifestyle—a welcoming weekend escape next to our nation’s capital. Founded in 1749, Old Town Alexandria is the nation’s third oldest locally designated historic district, boasting 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. Walk in the footsteps of George Washington and America’s Founding Fathers while learning about Black history and African American change-makers that have shaped the history of Alexandria and the U.S. Connect with us! Web: VisitAlexandriaVA.com Blog: Blog.VisitAlexandriaVA.com Facebook: Facebook.com/VisitAlexandriaVA Twitter: Twitter.com/AlexandriaVA Instagram: Instagram.com/VisitAlexVA Hashtags: #visitALX
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…
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