ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Holiday season really is the most wonderful time of the year in Alexandria, which is packed with events to celebrate Christmas and other winter holidays.
As the holiday season later in November, there will be events for all ages. One of the highlights is the double-header parade weekend featuring the 50th anniversary Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend and 21st annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Other returning favorites include Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run, Alexandria and Del Ray Tree Lightings, Del Ray Candy Cane Bar Crawl, Waterskiing Santa and much more.
See a guide to events by date below.
Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run
Nov. 19 to Jan. 2, nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., ice skating only from Jan. 8 to Feb. 27, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cameron Run Regional Park, 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA

Admission: $9 for general admission to Village; $22 for village admission and skating; beginning January 8, $14 for ice skating; free ages 2 and under
Ice and Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run will return this year with an ice rink, multiple new holiday light displays such as the giant holiday light bulbs, a retail area, food, music and more.
City of Alexandria Tree Lighting
Nov. 20, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Market Square, 301 King St., Alexandria, VA
Admission: free
Join Mayor Justin Wilson and a host of friends for the lighting of the city’s 40-foot Holiday Tree at City Hall. Santa will arrive at Market Square via the King Street Trolley to help light the tree, then will circle the block, waving at visitors as he passes on his way back to the North Pole. Enjoy a welcome from the Town Crier and a bit of live music to set the festive mood. As a COVID precaution, there will not be photos with Santa this year. The event is rain or shine.
Old Town Alexandria Cookie Crawl
Nov. 20 to 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria
Admission: $35 registration fee
Kick off the holidays early during Old Town Business’s annual Old Town Cookie Crawl. Receive a commemorative tin and stop by all 25 retailers on the crawl to receive a cookie at each location.
Alexandria Choral Society’s “Snow Globe Series” Kick-Off Concert
Nov. 20, 8 p.m. and other pop-up performances through the season
Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: Free
The Alexandria Choral Society will return live performances with a series of free, outdoor holiday pop-up concerts throughout the city of Alexandria, beginning with a kick-off outdoor performance on Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Carlyle House Historic Park in Old Town. Accompanied by pianist Wei-Han Wu, ACS will perform a flurry of seasonal favorites from around the world, like ‘Daa Naa Se (Oh, Give Thanks)’, ‘S’Vivon’, ‘Silent Night’, ‘Ose Shalom’, ‘Riu, riu, chiu,’ and ‘Christus Natus Est.’ While this concert is free and open to the public, donations will be accepted. Limited seating will be available by reservation. Click here to register online ahead of the event. Walk-up audience members will also be welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional pop-up performances will take place on Nov. 23 at John Carlyle Square Park, Nov. 30 at Casa Chirilagua/Four Mile Run Plaza and Dec. 7 at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden. All concerts begin at 8 p.m.
Waterfront Art Market
Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (no market Nov. 14 or Dec. 4)
Torpedo Factory Art Center’s waterfront entrance, 1 Cameron St., Alexandria, VA

Admission: Free
Visit the Waterfront entrance at Torpedo Factory Art Center to discover new artwork from a rotating lineup of the Art Center’s studio artists. Find paintings and photographs to jewelry and wearables, then step inside to browse the three floors of the Art Center for even more original art for purchase.
46th Annual Alexandria Turkey Trot
Nov. 25, 9 a.m.
Admission: $20 per adult; $15 for youth ages 13-20; $5 for children under 13; $10 for race t-shirt
Race begins at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301
The region’s premiere Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving morning tradition. Run or walk the flat USATF-certified five-mile through Del Ray beginning and ending at George Washington Middle School. The Alexandria Turkey Trot offers a generous cash and gift prize purse to the winning runners. The event supports ALIVE!, a nonprofit organization serving Alexandria’s needy. Participants and spectators can bring two nonperishable food items (cans, boxes) on race day.
Alexandria Shop Small Week
Nov. 26 to Dec. 2
Various locations in Alexandria

The second annual Alexandria Shop Small Week is the city’s biggest shopping event of the year. It kicks off with Plaid Friday: Alexandria’s Small Business Black Friday followed by Small Business Saturday. Enjoy seven days of deals and promotions including Museum Store Sunday, a small business Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, an Alexandria Shop and Stay giveaway at @VisitAlexVA on Wednesday and a new Moonlight Merriment event on Thursday.
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Nov. 26-27, Dec. 3-4, 10-11 and 19 at various times
George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, VA

Admission: $36 for adults (ages 12 and up); $28 for youth (ages 6-11); for members, $26 for adults; $18 for youth
Visit Mount Vernon for a candlelit guided tour and learn about holiday traditions in 18th-century Virginia. Visit with Mrs. Washington and other 18th-century residents of Mount Vernon in a 45-minute candlelit tour of the Mount Vernon estate, followed by a reception. Hear stories of Christmases past from costumed character actors portraying Washington’s family, friends, and enslaved or hired staff. Arrive at the Ford Orientation Center 15 minutes before your ticket time to view themed Christmas trees, warm up with light concessions greet Aladdin the Christmas camel and more. Finish the evening with live music, cider, and cookies in the Donald W. Reynolds Museum & Education Center Lobby.
Hometown Holidays at Port City Brewing Company
Nov. 27, 7 p.m.
Port City Brewing Company, 3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria, VA
Admission: free
On Small Business Saturday, 30 Alexandria-based makers will take over the Port City parking lot for holiday shopping. Come take care of all your holiday gifts and sip while you shop.
Museum Shopping Evenings at Carlyle House
Dec. 2, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 3, 9 and 21, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Carlyle House Museum Shop, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: Free
Stop by the Carlyle House Museum Shop for wonderful holiday gifts. An assortment of Virginia made items, ornaments, soaps, and more are available for purchase.

Del Ray Artisans’ 26th Annual Fine Art & Fine Craft Holiday Market
Dec. 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19, Fridays 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., weekends 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301
Admission: free
Del Ray Artisans annual Holiday Market offers unique handmade fine arts and crafts from local artists. Choose from wall art, pottery, photography, jewelry, glass and much more from different artisans each weekend. Plus, purchase 2022 wall calendars, cookbooks and upcycled tote bags to support Del Ray Artisans.
Campagna Center’s 50th Anniversary Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend and Parade
Dec. 3-4 (Taste of Scotland: Friday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m.; parade: Saturday, December 4, at 11 a.m.)
Throughout Old Town Alexandria

Admission: Parade free to view or $75 registration fee to march in parade; $200 and above for Taste of Scotland Scotch Tasting
The Campagna Center will celebrate its 50th Anniversary Scottish Walk Weekend in Alexandria in recognition of Alexandria’s founding by Scottish merchants. Today, the city continues celebrating its heritage with a weekend of festivities. At the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town, along with pipe and drum bands from around the region and terriers and hounds. The weekend kicks off with the Taste of Scotland Scotch Tasting on Friday evening in the newly renovated Atrium Building. The 50th Anniversary parade will take place on Saturday, December 4 at 11 a.m. from St. Asaph St. heading north, east from Queen St., south from Fairfax St., and west from King Street, ending in front of City Hall. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) will be the parade’s grand marshal.
Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon
Dec. 4, parade at 5:30 p.m., dockside festivities from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dockside festivities at Waterfront Park (1A Prince Street); parade viewing areas: Founders Park (351 N. Union St.), Alexandria City Marina (0 Cameron St.), Waterfront Park (1A Prince St.), Point Lumley Park (1 Duke St.), Shipyard/Harborside Park (1 Wilkes St.), Windmill Hill Park (501 S. Union St.) and Ford’s Landing Park (99 Franklin St.)
Admission: free, cost for some food, drink and activities
The 21st annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon will illuminate the Alexandria warerfront. At 5:30 p.m.m dozens of brightly lit boats will cruise along one mile of the Potomac River shoreline. Enjoy dockside festivities from 2 to 8 p.m. in Waterfront Park including a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company, holiday music and giveaways from 97.1 WASH-FM, Letters to Santa postcard station from paper goods boutique Penny Post and a holiday ornament activity from AR Workshop Alexandria. Food and drinks will include bites from Mae’s Market and Café, gourmet popcorn from America’s Favorite Gourmet Popcorn and a hot chocolate bar from Dolci Gelati. At 3:30 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by fireboat at the Alexandria City Marina to attend the annual Torpedo Factory Art Center Holiday Festival.
The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s “A Christmas Carol”
Dec. 3-18, various times
The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: $20

The Little Theatre of Alexandria rings in the holiday season with a return of the classic by Charles Dickens. Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserable, bitter old miser, travels with ghostly guides through Christmas past, present and future to find the true meaning of the holidays. Complete with special effects, Victorian carols, and Tiny Tim, “A Christmas Carol” is a must-see for the entire family. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test within 72 hours and masks are required.
Metropolitan School of the Arts Presents: “The Nutcracker”
Dec. 4-5, 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The Rachel M. Schlesinger Center for Performing Arts NOVA Alexandria Campus, 4915 East Campus Drive, Alexandria, VA

Admission: $28+ for adults; $26+ for seniors and students
Metropolitan School of the Arts will perform the Nutcracker, which follows Clara fighting the evil Mouse Queen and her army of fierce mice to save the handsome and kind Nutcracker doll. Love will become real as the Nutcracker’s curse is lifted and he turns into a handsome young prince. On this great adventure, Clara will be transported to a fantastical land where she will meet the dazzling Snow Queen, dancing snowflakes, the Sugar Plum Fairy and many more wonderful characters. This performance features over 120 performers and the pure sound of the holidays with the wonderful Tchaikovsky score.
Holiday Festival at Torpedo Factory Art Center
Dec. 4, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA

Admission: Free
Torpedo Factory Art Center joins the fun on Alexandria’s holiday parade weekend. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by fire boat around 3:30 p.m. on the Waterfront. Music fills the halls and the waterfront, beckoning people to browse three floors of open artists’ studios. Santa will even take a spin on the famous Torpedo Bike. Masks are required for all visitors over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status.
Candlelight Tours at Lee-Fendall House
Dec. 4, 18 and 18, every half hour from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Admission: $10 for adults; $5 for children (ages 5-17)
Celebrate the holiday season with evening candlelight tours of the Lee-Fendall House decked out in Victorian splendor. The antique toy exhibit will also be on view. Space is limited to 10 people at a time, and advance reservations are required. Face masks and social distancing will be in place throughout the tour.
Old Town Boutique District’s Holiday Week
Begins Dec. 5
Various boutiques throughout Old Town Alexandria

Admission: Free
The first-ever Old Town Boutique District Holiday Week kicking off Sunday, Dec. 5. Look out for a kick-off event at Hummingbird, tastings, trunk shows and doorbuster deals.
Old Town North Holiday Markets
Dec. 5, 12 and 19, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Montgomery Park, 901 N. Royal St., Alexandria, VA
In addition to Old Town North’s weekly Thursday Farmers Market, the Old Town North Community Partnership will host three holiday markets at Montgomery Park. Explore the festive, European-style markets for hand-crafted gift items and specialty food items.
Holiday Kissing Ball Workshops
Dec. 5 and 12, 2 p.m.
Admission: $25 per person (advance registration required)
Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA
Learn the history behind using greenery to decorate homes for the holidays, then craft your own boxwood kissing ball using fresh cuttings from the Lee-Fendall garden. Please note that these workshops will be held outdoors, so dress appropriately.
Del Ray Holiday Tree & Menorah Lighting
Dec. 5, 6 p.m.
Pat Miller Neighborhood Square at Mount Vernon Ave. and E. Oxford Ave., Alexandria, VA
Admission: Free
Kick off the holidays in Del Ray with the annual holiday tree and menorah lighting. Continue the celebration and start your holiday shopping with a stroll down Mount Vernon Avenue, which will be illuminated by thousands of luminarias and feature storefront windows hand-painted for the holidays. Masks are required. Check back for details on a donations drive for Carpenter’s Shelter.
Colonial Holiday Nights at Carlyle House
Dec. 10-11, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission: $10 per adult; $3 for children, ages 6 to 12

Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Experience the holiday season with Carlyle House focusing on how the Carlyles and their enslaved workers observed the holidays during the 18th century. Stay tuned for updates about live music. Be sure to check out last minute deals in the Museum Shop. Tours offered of the first floor with timed entry on the hour and half hour. Space is limited and reservations are required. All participants including those under the age of 5 must be registered.
Alexandria Citizens Band’s 5th Annual Alexandria Holiday Sing-Along
Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Del Ray United Methodist Church, 100 E. Windsor Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301
Admission: Free
Experience a jolly good time at the popular Alexandria Holiday Sing-Along. You’ll join in song with your neighbors as Conductor Mike Evans and the hometown Alexandria Citizens Band play your holiday favorites. Don’t miss ringing in the season with this fabulous music tradition. Wear your holiday sweaters and Santa hats. Masks are required. Free tickets will be available via Eventbrite.
Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market
Dec. 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission: Free

Parking lot of 1900 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA
Don’t miss the holiday edition of this monthly outdoor vintage and flea market in the heart of Alexandria’s bustling Del Ray neighborhood. Find 50+ vendors offering vintage, antique, thrift and artisan goods at two open-air lots, with free appraisals plus bakery and coffee booths.
A Victorian Christmas
Dec. 11, hourly from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Admission: $10 for adults; $8 for children (ages 2-12); free for children under 2
Experience the wonder of the season by visiting the Lee-Fendall House for a family-friendly Victorian Christmas. Enjoy traditional décor, music, seasonal crafts, a visit with Santa, a toy exhibit and more. Health requirements, including face masks and social distancing, will be followed.
Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show at Carlyle
Dec. 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
John Carlyle Square Park, 300 John Carlyle St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Admission: Free
John Carlyle Square Park will dress up for the holidays and host more than 80 artisans and crafters, independent consultants and other local small businesses. Check off your shopping list with everything from unique handmade jewelry to organic bath and body products to home décor, holiday ornaments and much more. Take a break from shopping to enjoy the beautiful Christmas Carols Show and bring little ones the Elves’ Shop where they can create a customized Christmas ornament. But make sure they do not miss when Santa stops by, ready to take pictures with him.

Civil War Christmas in Camp
Dec. 11, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria, VA 22304
Admission: Suggested donation is $2 per person; $5 per family
Get in the holiday spirit with a patriotic Union Santa Claus, reenactors in winter camps celebrating the season, period decorations, soldier-led fort tours and kids’ crafting activities.
Tall Ship Providence Christmas Story Time
Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19, 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Admission: $5 per person, with a special rate of $25 for families of more than 5
Tall ship Providence, 1 Cameron St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Come aboard the tall ship Providence for a special Christmas story time. This year’s tale will be “The Christmas Ship,” the true story of the schooner Rouse Simmons, the ship that for years supplied Christmas trees to the people of Chicago by making a dangerous winter crossing of Lake Michigan. This story is geared toward children ages 5 to 12. Check in at the Gazebo on the G-H Pier next to Founder’s Park.
6th Annual Del Ray Candy Cane Bar Crawl
Dec. 11, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: $15 for advance tickets; $20 at the door

Various locations along Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA
Take a break from the bustle of holiday preparations and enjoy specialty drinks and delights at Del Ray restaurants during a neighborhood bar crawl to benefit Neighborhood Health. Enjoy holiday costume contests for individuals and groups, raffle prizes and live music. Trolley transportation will be provided along the avenue.

Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
Dec. 17-18, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, VA

Admission: $60 adult/$38 youth with mansion tour; $58 adult/$36 youth without mansion tour; for members, $50 adult/$28 youth with mansion tour; $48 adult/$26 youth without mansion tour
Kick off the holiday season with fireworks overlooking the Potomac River. In addition, you’ll see the lantern-lit historic area, the Mansion aglow in amber light, and the Upper Garden and Greenhouse dazzling in blue and lavender with moving wintry light patterns. Tour the Mansion to learn about holiday celebrations during Washington’s time with live 18th-century music and hear classic holiday music and patriotic inspirational quotes on the Bowling Green. Visit with Sutlers that produce 18th-century wares and crafts, available for purchase at the 18th-century Winter Market. Enjoy the atmospheric setting of an 18th-century winter encampment, the working Blacksmith Shop and Aladdin the Camel. Hear season’s greetings by General Washington on the Mansion’s piazza and watch stunning holiday fireworks over the Potomac River. Lastly, look for last-minute gifts at the Shops at Mount Vernon, open late during Christmas Illuminations.
Civil War Christmas at Carlyle House
Dec. 17-18, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA
Admission: $10 per adult; $3 for children, ages 6 to 12
Discover how Christmas was celebrated when the Green family lived at Carlyle House and the Mansion House Hotel was being used as a Civil War hospital. Stay tuned for updates about live music. Be sure to check out last minute deals in the Museum Shop. Tours offered of the first floor with timed entry on the hour and half hour. Space is limited and reservations are required. All participants including those under the age of 5 must be registered.
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Presents: Home for the Holidays
Dec. 17, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The Rachel M. Schlesinger Center for Performing Arts NOVA Alexandria Campus, 4915 East Campus Drive, Alexandria, VA
Admission: $20 to $85 per adult, $5 per youth, $15 per student
This December, the ASO brings back the joy of live holiday music that audiences yearned for in 2020. ASO will accompany dancers from BalletNOVA with selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Alexandria Choral Society joins the ASO for choruses from Händel’s Messiah and will lead the audience in popular holiday carols. The concert will be presented with no intermission. Masks are strongly recommended for non-vaccinated attendees by the CDC, thee concert venue and the ASO.
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Presents: Home for the Holidays
Dec. 19, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr., Alexandria, VA
Admission: $20 to $60 per adult, $5 per youth, $15 per student
This December, the ASO brings back the joy of live holiday music that audiences yearned for in 2020. ASO will accompany dancers from BalletNOVA with selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Alexandria Choral Society joins the ASO for choruses from Händel’s Messiah and will lead the audience in popular holiday carols. The concert will be presented with no intermission. Masks are strongly recommended for non-vaccinated attendees by the CDC, the concert venue and the ASO.
Waterskiing Santa
Dec. 24, 1 p.m.
Alexandria’s Waterfront: Waterfront Park (1 King St. and 1A Prince St.), Alexandria City Marina (0 Cameron St.), Founders Park (351 N. Union St.) and Point Lumley Park (1 Duke St.)
Admission: Free
This 36th annual event resulted from a bet between friends and now is a favorite annual show. Head to Alexandria’s waterfront on Christmas Eve for a spectacular show by Waterskiing Santa and his merry crew. The prime viewing area is Waterfront Park (1 King St. and 1A Prince St.), with more views from the Alexandria City Marina (0 Cameron St.), Founders Park (351 N. Union St.), and Point Lumley Park (1 Duke St.). Come early to see the pre-show (on jet skis).

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