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 time-honored favorite, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour. For more spring events and activities in Alexandria, see the listings below and learn more at VisitAlexandria.com/Spring. Temporary Waterfront Public Art Installation: Interstellar Influencer (Make an Impact) Spring to November 2024 Admission: Free Waterfront Park 1A Prince Street visitalexandriava.com/public-art Coming this spring, Interstellar Influencer (Make an Impact) will be unveiled as the sixth annual temporary public art installation at Waterfront Park, on display until November 2024 as part of the City of Alexandria’s Site See: New Views in Old Town series. Created 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. May 18th 8th Annual Well Ray Festival 10 am – 2 pm Admission: Free Mount Vernon & Bellefonte Avenues The 8th annual Well Ray Festival showcases the wide variety of health and wellness opportunities in Alexandria’s Del R ay neighborhood. The outdoor event — featuring free fitness and dance classes for all ages, health demonstrations, 40+ vendors, and more — is free and open to all. For more information, including a full schedule of events and class registration information, visit www.wellraydelray.com. 17th – 19th George Washington’s Mount Vernon Spring…
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 visitdelray.com 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 alxdogwalk.com 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…
Nothing is more symbolic of springtime in the D.C. region than cherry blossoms. This year, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the gorgeous white Yoshino blossoms and fluffy pink Kwanzans in Alexandria, VA. Take a stroll along Old Town Alexandria’s picturesque streets lined with cherry blossoms and flowering trees. 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. Find events that honor both American and Japanese cultures, such as The Athenaeum’s “Japanese Inspiration” exhibition and a special tour of Frank’s Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House. Roll up your sleeves with cherry blossom-themed workshops at Shop Made in VA and much more. Don’t forget to check out The National Cherry Blossom Festival from March 20 to April 14, 2024, and stay tuned for the peak bloom announcement. To explore cherry blossom-themed food and drink specials, hotel packages and more, head to VisitAlexandria.com/CherryBlossoms. Water Taxi and Boat Tours Water Taxi to The Wharf to See Cherry Blossoms Daily, beginning March 20, 2024 Departures beginning at 1:30 p.m.; check website for details Admission: Starting at $21 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. City Cruises Potomac Water Taxi offers a 25-minute direct water taxi from Old Town to The Wharf 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, Hains Point and a Capital Bikeshare station. Cherry Blossom Cruises with City Cruises Weekends beginning March 16 through April 21, 2024 Departures beginning at 11:30 a.m.; check website for details Admission: Starting at $27 one-way; $37 round-trip for adults Departs from the Alexandria Marina 1 Cameron Street 703-684-0580 cityexperiences.com Traverse the Potomac River from Old Town Alexandria and…
Photos courtesy of the Geo Washington Birthday Celebration Committee Tens of thousands are expected to line the streets of Old Town Alexandria on Monday, February 19, 2024 from 1-3 p.m. to cheer on nation’s oldest and largest George Washington Birthday Parade, which is celebrated in his adopted hometown. In honor of Alexandria’s 275th Anniversary, the 2024 Parade theme is “George Washington: Alexandria’s Original Living Legend”, and the Parade Grand Marshals will be The Living Legends of Alexandria, an organization that identifies, honors and chronicles the lives of individuals who have contributed to the community in an exemplary and lasting way that has significantly impacted the quality of life in Alexandria. The parade will return to its historic parade route east of Washington Street, after having marched in 2023 to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial in honor of the Memorial’s 100th Anniversary. To view the parade route and the Parade March of Order which will be posted before Parade Day, visit http://www.washingtonbirthday.com. “The participants are really stepping up the creativity this year,” said Sue Johnson, chair of Alexandria’s all-volunteer George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee. “It should be an exciting parade!” Other events planned throughout February in honor of George Washington’s birthday can be found at http://www.washingtonbirthday.com/events. The parade primarily relies on private financial support, and there are a wide variety of sponsorship and donation opportunities available at http://www.washingtonbirthday.com/donate. Parade Day Events: Monday, February 19, 2024 Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association Breakfast 9—10 :30 a.m. Cost: $45 per person, table of 10 $400 Join the movers and shakers of Alexandria at this historic celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the Friendship Fire Company (1774-2024) and the City’s 275th anniversary. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Bill Kehoe, Secretary, kehoefd@aol.com. Location: The Hilton Alexandria at Mark Center, Terrace Room, 5000 Seminary Road,…
6th -February 25th Ice Skating at Cameron Run Weekends & Holidays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cameron Run Regional Park 4001 Eisenhower Avenue Looking for a unique winter activity? Enjoy outdoor daytime ice skating in Alexandria, just minutes from Old Town. Warm up with a hot chocolate or make your own s’mores over the firepit. This fun winter experience is only available for a limited time and capacity is limited! Learn more about Ice Skating at Cameron Run and to reserve tickets check in at cameron@nvrpa.com. 19th – 28th Winter Alexandria Restaurant Week 2024 For 10 days and two weekends, more than 70 restaurants in Alexandria, Virginia, will offer a $30, $40 or $50 in-person dinner for one during Alexandria Restaurant Week 2024. Special menus are available in-person at participating restaurants throughout Alexandria’s neighborhoods, including Old Town, Del Ray, Carlyle, Eisenhower and the West End. The revised three-tiered pricing structure reflects feedback from Alexandria Restaurant Week participants following the 2023 summer promotion. Alexandria Restaurant Week was launched in 2009 by Visit Alexandria and has become a favorite amongst patrons and restaurateurs, occurring biannually in the winter and summer. In addition to serving as an economic driver for Alexandria restaurants, Alexandria Restaurant Week bolsters the city’s reputation as a culinary destination. For detailed information and a digital flip-book of menus at participating restaurants log on to AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.com
Named one of Travel + Leisure’s Best Places to Travel in 2023 and Best Cities in the U.S. 2023 and one of Good Housekeeping’s Best Places to Travel in December 2023, Alexandria, VA, is filled with nostalgic wonder during the holiday season. Stroll along the King Street mile and feel transported into a European Christmas village as you pass by lantern-lit doorways and pop into buzzing shops and eateries, leading to the bustling Potomac River waterfront, within eyesight of Washington, D.C. For more holiday events and activities, visit VisitAlexandria.com/Holidays. Through February Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run Open daily from 5 to 10 p.m. Admission $$ Cameron Run Regional Park 4001 Eisenhower Avenue 703-760-0767 cameroniceandlights.com Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run offers a fun, unstructured outdoor family experience, just a short drive from Old Town Alexandria. Explore unique light displays, snap family pictures or selfies with a variety of displays and take a spin on the outdoor ice rink. Capacity is limited; reservations are required to ensure access on a specific date. Ice skating reservations are required. Tickets are on sale now. New this year, daytime ice skating is available December 18 to 30 and weekends and holidays throughout January and February. 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th, 17th & 19th Holiday Markets at Old Town North December 3, 10 and 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. December 5, 12, and 19, from 3 to 6:30 pm. 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. 7th Shops of Del Ray Holiday Sip & Shop 6 to 9 p.m. Admission: Free to participate Various locations throughout Del Ray visitdelray.com Join the Shops of Del Ray for special extended shopping hours…
Named one of Oprah Daily’s Most Magical Christmas Towns Across the World and Condé Nast Traveler’s Best U.S. Cities to Visit at Christmas, Alexandria, VA, is filled with nostalgic wonder during the holiday season. Stroll along the King Street mile and feel transported into a European Christmas village as you pass by lantern-lit doorways and pop into buzzing shops and eateries, leading to the bustling Potomac River waterfront, within eyesight of Washington, D.C. Enjoy cherished holiday traditions happening throughout Alexandria including the 52nd Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, featuring dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans; the 23rd Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon on the Potomac River; and “Shop Small” events kicking off with Plaid Friday: Alexandria’s Small Business Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Plus, discover open-air markets, seasonal musical celebrations, candlelit tours at historic sites and more. For more holiday events and activities, visit VisitAlexandria.com/Holidays. November 18th City of Alexandria Tree Lighting Ceremony 6 to 8 p.m. Admission: Free Market Square 300 King Street 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 Plaid Friday: Alexandria’s Small Business Black Friday Throughout Old Town Alexandria and beyond visitalexandria.com/blackfriday Celebrate Plaid Friday: Alexandria’s Small Business Black Friday as shops in Old Town and beyond offering some of their best deals of the year, including early bird, store-wide discounts and free gifts with purchase. Shoppers will find one-of-a-kind deals on self-care products, artwork, jewelry, fashionable finds, home goods and more. 25th Small Business Saturday Throughout Old Town Alexandria and beyond visitalexandria.com/smallbusinesssaturday Celebrate Alexandria’s Small Business Saturday with special in-store and online specials at dozens of shops in Old Town and beyond. Stroll historic streets twinkling with holiday traditions as you enjoy special discounts, sip and snack…
Autumn brings favorite art events, outdoor festivals, Halloween haunts and bright-hued foliage to Alexandria. Treat yourself to a goosebumps-inducing Ghost & Graveyard Tour. Browse al fresco art festivals including the 21st Annual Alexandria Art Festival in Carlyle and Del Ray’s 28th Annual Art on the Avenue, plus attend ever-popular autumn events at George Washington’s Mount Vernon like the Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour. New this year, enjoy inaugural Halloween events hosted by tall ship Providence at the newly-opened Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center on Alexandria’s waterfront. Dive deeper into fall events and activities in Alexandria with the listings below and at VisitAlexandria.com/Fall. Alexandria Colonial Tours’ Ghost & Graveyard Tour Nightly in October at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30, 8:30 and 9 p.m. Admission: $15 for adults; $10 for children; free for children under 6 years old Tours meet at the 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. 6th – 8th Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour 6 to 9 p.m. Admission: Friday: $49 for members, $59 for general public; Saturday: $53 for members, $63 for general public; Sunday: $43 for members; $53 for general public George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org Taste samples from Virginia wineries after hours at George Washington’s estate. Bring a blanket and relax on the east lawn overlooking the Potomac River and meet General Washington. 7th 28th Annual Art on the Avenue 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: Free Mount Vernon Avenue between Hume and Bellefonte Avenues artontheavenue.org The 28th annual arts festival held in the Del Ray features more than 350 juried artists, from…
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 one of Travel + Leisure’s Best Cities in the U.S. 2023, Alexandria boasts beautifully preserved historic architecture to enjoy on the 81st Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour or during a goosebumps-inducing Ghost & Graveyard Tour. Browse al fresco art festivals including the 21st Annual Alexandria Art Festival in Carlyle and Del Ray’s 28th Annual Art on the Avenue, plus attend ever-popular autumn events at George Washington’s Mount Vernon like the Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour. Dive deeper into fall events and activities in Alexandria with the listings below and at VisitAlexandria.com/Fall. 21st Taste of Old Town North 4 to 8 p.m. Admission: Free Montgomery Park 901 N. Royal St oldtownnorth.org Head to Montgomery Park for a celebration of greater Old Town North featuring local businesses including restaurants like Jula’s on the Potomac, Hank’s Oyster Bar, St. Elmo’s and Yunnan by Potomac Noodle House. Plus, enjoy music from New Breed Soul Consortium, formerly Three Man Soul Machine, and Sally and the Mander. Rain date is September 28. 23rd 81st Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: $45 per person Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314 thetwig.org/homes-tour The Twig, The Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital, proudly announces the 81st Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour to be held on Saturday, September 23. New this year, a digital tour book guiding participants through the homes will be accessible to ticket holders via their mobile device. Hard copies of the tour book are available for purchase, in advance, for $5 each. Please note that this event sold out last year, so early ticket purchase is recommended. 30-Oct 1st 21st 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…
Best of the West by West End Business Association 5th 1 to 5 p.m. Admission: Free (pre-registration recommended) Patrick Henry Recreation Center 4653 Taney Avenue alexandriaweba.com The West End Business Association (WEBA) invites Alexandrians and neighbors to the inaugural Best of the West event celebrating the neighborhood’s restaurants and consumer-facing businesses. Hosted at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center, the event will feature tastings from local restaurants, vendor booths, free entertainment and some friendly competition to be named “Best of the West.” Pre-registration is recommended for earlier and guaranteed entry. Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale 12th Throughout Old Town and Beyond AlexandriaSidewalkSale.com One of the longest running summer shopping events returns to the D.C. region’s Shop Small destination for independent boutiques, Alexandria, Virginia, with the annual Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale happening Saturday, August 12, 2023, throughout Old Town and beyond. The event features more than 40 Alexandria boutiques stepping out of their storefronts and offering deeply discounted summer merchandise. Plus, enjoy live music along King Street and shop pop-up vendors along the 0 block of King Street. In Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, browse unique finds at the Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market and more. Learn more at AlexandriaSidewalkSale.com. Art Night in Old Town 17th 5 to 7:30 p.m. Admission: Free Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria oldtownbusiness.org On the third Thursday of each month, discover an art gallery and/or cultural arts organization offering an evening of fine art and studio crafts. Come to Old Town for an evening of art and stay for dinner at a nearby restaurants More information on participating art galleries and restaurants can be found at oldtownbusiness.org. Del Ray Bands and Brews Summer Bar Crawl 19th 12:30 to 6 p.m. Admission: $15 Advance Tickets; $25 Day of Event Tickets Various locations along Mount Vernon Avenue visitdelray.com Join the fun and…
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