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Hip and historic, Alexandria is where you'll find incredible architecture, spooky tales and history rich sites to explore. It's where the past resonates into the present day, and where memories are still being made with all the fabulous things to do and see.
Alexandria is a city rich with cultural tradition, so there is always a reason to celebrate! Discover the magic of Alexandria with special events, diverse festivals and celebrations that are always in season throughout our city!
The lighting of the tree at City Hall kicks off the holiday season with musical entertainment and a special seasonal greeting from the Mayor and Santa Claus.
See how George and Martha Washington celebrated Christmas! Visitors can learn about 18th-century holiday activities at Mount Vernon and tour the Mansion. Martha Washington's garret chamber, on the rarely-seen third floor of the Mansion, is open to the public. The Mansion is authentically decorated with natural greenery and set for a festive holiday gathering.
Enjoy the holiday season with the many events that go on during the first weekend in December. The Christmas Marketplace kicks of the holiday shopping season with one-of-a-kind boutiques and the sale of heather and greens. The Scottish Walk Parade shows off over 100 Scottish clans dressed in tartans and playing bagpipes, living history units, dog clubs and antique cars.
This is a site to see! Watch as Alexandria's harbor lights up when more than 50 illuminated boats cruise the Potomac River at the historic waterfront.
Enjoy this New Year's Eve celebration from 6 P.M. to Midnight with music, dance, and performing arts for all ages throughout Old Town and Del Ray. All performances are indoors except for the midnight finale of fireworks.
Alexandrian's have been celebrating George Washington's Birthday since colonial times. A city-wide celebration including a 10K race, the Birth-night Banquet & Ball, several historic sites offer free admission, and the country's largest parade celebrating George Washington.
Enjoy the luck of the Irish with a grand celebration including dog show, classic-car competition and parade. Of course a St. Patrick's Day celebration wouldn't be complete without wetting your whistle at one of the Irish pubs around town.
Get an exclusive look inside some of the city's most historic homes in Alexandria, including one of the largest properties in the district and a home connected with one of its most legendary individuals.
Mount Vernon celebrates the history of our Founding Father's wine-making endeavors with live entertainment and tours of Mount Vernon's historic cellar vaults.
Enjoy fun for the whole family with American music played by jazz ensembles and orchestras in a variety of jazz styles.
Juneteenth is a celebration the important day in African-American history when Texas slaves first learned of their emancipation in 1865. Family-oriented celebration includes music, poetry readings, genealogists, and food vendors.
Enjoy a 2-day festival with live music, carnival rides, arts and crafts, visiting ships, children's events and concession stands.
Concert by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, birthday cake, food and fireworks. Evening culminates in Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" complete with cannon fire.
Celebrate the founding of this fire company in 1774 with antique fire-fighting equipment, crafts, displays, live music and special treats for children.
Visual art comes alive with artist demonstrations and interactivity! Enjoy special programming as you become part of the artistic process.
Old Town's King Street comes alive between Washington and Union streets with an open-air art gallery and festival! With more than 200 artists displaying and selling fine art including paintings, sculpture, photography, pottery, glass, jewelry and ceramics. For children, historic Christ Church has a play area with activities and food for sale.
This fair features more than 50 of America's finest craftspeople and plenty of family fun! Artisans dressed in Colonial costumes demonstrate 18th-century crafts and sell traditional wares plus lively 18th-century entertainment. Free sightseeing cruises are available during the fair.
Tour some of the city's most beautifully restored and decorated residences throughout Old Town.
Arts on the Avenue is a celebration of Del Ray's diversity. It features a street festival along Mount Vernon Avenue, with 300 artists, three music stages, art activities for kids (scarecrows, pumpkin-painting), and restaurants offering their special seasonal cuisine.
