Featured Events

• Date(s): 02/14/2009 - 02/16/2009
• Recurring daily
• Location: Mount Vernon: George Washington's Estate & Gardens South end of the GW Parkway Mount Vernon, VA 22121
• Phone: (703) 780-2000

Historic Mount Vernon celebrates George Washington’s 276th birthday with patriotic early-American music,  and Washington’s favorite breakfast – “the General” himself joins visitors to partake of “hoecakes swimming in butter and honey” cooked over an open fire (while supplies last). Be sure to catch “America’s Smallest Hometown Parade” at 1:30 p.m., when the fife & drum corps, early-American music and adorable heritage-breed animals march past “General Washington”, the Mansion and around the circle drive for all to see.

• Date(s): 02/16/2009 - 02/16/2009
• Time: 1-3 p.m.
• Location: George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee Throughout Old Town Alexandria; the reviewing the stand is at Royal and Cameron streets, Alexandria VA 22314
• Phone: (703) 991-4474
• Admission: Free!

The largest parade celebrating George Washington's birthday in the country with marching bands, historic re-enactment troops and more.

• Date(s): 03/06/2009 - 03/08/2009
• Recurring daily
• Location: Episcopal High School's Flippin Field House, 3900 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria VA 22304
• Phone: (703) 548-7469

One of the most prestigious shows in the mid-Atlantic features 60 dealers offering American, English and Continental furniture, silver, porcelain, folk art, clocks, jewelry and more. Open Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday  11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Schedule will also include gala preview and events with experts.

• Date(s): 03/07/2009 - 03/07/2009
• Location: Market Square, 301 King Street, and throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314
• Phone: (703) 237-2199
• Admission: Free!

Includes the Fun Dog Show at 10:30 a.m. in Market Square, classic car competition at 10:30 a.m. along King Street and the parade at 12:30 p.m. at King and West streets.

• Date(s): 03/21/2009 - 03/21/2009
• Time: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Location: Gunston Hall Plantation 10709 Gunston Road Mason Neck, VA 22079
• Phone: (703) 550-9220

The Washington Post says this is one of the region's favorite events. Bring your own kite to fly in the pasture, or purchase one in the museum shop. Hands-on activities, a period puppet show, hearth-cooking demonstrations, costumed characters, modern-day fire trucks and a kite doctor. Refreshments available.

• Date(s): 04/04/2009 - 04/04/2009
• Time: Noon-4 p.m.
• Location: Carlyle House 121 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
• Phone: (703) 549-2997
• Admission: Free!

In 1755 Major General Edward Braddock met with five Colonial governors in Alexandria to plan the French and Indian War, an event that would eventually lead to complaints throughout the Colonies of "Taxation without Representation" and then the American Revolutionary War. Tour the house and experience the meeting first-hand through costumed interpreters.

• Date(s): 04/18/2009 - 04/18/2009
• Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Location: Throughout Old Town Alexandria
• Phone: (703) 838-5005

This Alexandria tradition offers you the unique opportunity to be invited into Old Town's finest private homes and gardens. The homes were built between 1749 and 1879 for prominent citizens, including a Revolutionary War hero.

• Date(s): 05/15/2009 - 05/17/2009
• Recurring daily
• Time: 6-9 p.m.
• Location: Mount Vernon: George Washington's Estate & Gardens 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Mount Vernon, VA 22121
• Phone: (703) 780-2000

This event celebrates the history of wine-making in Virginia with samplings from wineries, live jazz on the east lawn overlooking the Potomac and candlelight tours of the rarely open cellar vaults. Advance tickets are required,

• Date(s): 05/25/2009 - 05/25/2009
• Time: 1-7 p.m.
• Location: Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site 4301 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria VA 22304
• Phone: (703) 883-4686
• Admission: Free!

American music played by jazz ensembles and orchestras performing in a variety of jazz styles.

• Date(s): 06/20/2009 - 06/21/2009
• Recurring daily
• Location: Oronoco Bay Park, Union and Madison streets, Alexandria VA 22314
• Phone: (703) 549-8300

A family favorite! Live music, arts and crafts, visiting ships, children's events and concession stands. Open 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.

• Date(s): 07/04/2009 - 07/04/2009
• Time: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Location: Mount Vernon: George Washington's Estate & Gardens 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Mount Vernon, VA 22121
• Phone: (703) 780-2000
• Admission: Included with regular admission

An 18th-century style celebration with the National Concert Band of America.

• Date(s): 07/11/2009 - 07/11/2009
• Location: Oronoco Bay Park, Union and Madison streets, Alexandria VA 22314
• Phone: (703) 883-4686
• Admission: Free!

Concert by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, birthday cake, food and fireworks. Evening culminates in Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture." Concert at 6 p.m. with fireworks at dark (approximately 9:30).

• Date(s): 08/01/2009 - 08/01/2009
• Time: Noon-4 p.m.
• Location: Carlyle House 121 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
• Admission: Free!

The day that John Carlyle moved his family into this beautiful new home, his wife Sarah gave birth. During this annual open house, learn about Colonial midwifery and medicine.

• Date(s): 08/01/2009 - 08/01/2009
• Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Location: 100 block of South Alfred Street in front of the Friendship Firehouse, Alexandria, VA 22314
• Phone: (703) 838-3891

The Friendship Firehouse Festival celebrates the 234th anniversary of the Friendship Fire Company, founded in 1774. Enjoy birthday cake, craft and food vendors, and a special display of antique and modern firefighting equipment. Fun for kids of all ages! 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free!

• Date(s): 08/01/2009 - 08/01/2009
• Time: 1-5 p.m.
• Location: Gadsby's Tavern Museum 134 North Royal Street Alexandria, VA 22314
• Phone: (703) 838-4242
• Admission: Free!

Want to learn to dance like George Washington? Ever heard of a learned pig? Tours led by costumed guides, period music and light refreshments.

• Date(s): 09/12/2009 - 09/13/2009
• Recurring daily
• Location: King Street, from Union to Washington streets, Alexandria VA 22314
• Contact: Alexandria Visitors Center
• Phone: (703) 746-3301
• Admission: Free!

Old Town's King Street becomes an open-air art gallery with more than 200 juried artists who display and sell fine art ranging from paintings, sculpture, prints and photography to pottery, glass, jewelry and ceramics. Open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a,m.-5 p.m. Sunday.  

• Date(s): 09/12/2009 - 09/12/2009
• Time: Noon-4 p.m.
• Location: Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria VA 22314
• Phone: (703) 838-4565
• Admission: Free!

Visual art comes alive with artist demonstrations and interactivity! Enjoy special programming as you become part of the artistic process.

• Date(s): 09/19/2009 - 09/20/2009
• Recurring daily
• Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Location: Mount Vernon: George Washington's Estate & Gardens 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Mount Vernon, VA 22121
• Phone: (703) 780-2000
• Admission: Included with regular admission

More than 50 of America's finest craftspeople and plenty of family fun! Colonial-attired artisans demonstrate 18th-century crafts and sell traditional wares plus lively 18th-century entertainment. Free sightseeing cruises while supplies last. Hearty food available.