Friday, December 6 – Sunday, December 8, 2019
It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays! Give the new month a warm welcome with some of the season’s best festivities, and give your holiday spirit a big boost with great events happening in Old Town this weekend.
Photo courtesy: Visit Alexandria
Friday, December 6 – Sunday, December 8 11:00 a.m.
49th Annual Campagna Center Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade
Honoring Alexandria’s history as a city established by three Scottish merchants, the Campagna Center’s Scottish Christmas Walk Parade celebrates the season in a spectacular fashion with a weekend filled with festivities. Watch dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands as well as terriers and hounds. Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. St. Asaph and Wolfe Streets and concludes at Market Square with a band concert. Other events include the Taste of Scotland Scotch tasting (December 6), a holiday Heather and Greens Sale (December 6 – 7), and Holiday Home Tours (December 7). Free admission. Market Square, 310 King Steet, Alexandria, VA. For more information, visit www.virginia.org.
Friday, December 6 – Sunday, December 8
Del Ray Artisans' 24th Annual Fine Art & Fine Craft Holiday Market
Offering unique handmade fine arts and crafts from local artists, the annual Del Ray Artisans’ Holiday Market features a wide selection of original wall art, handcrafted pottery, photography, handmade jewelry, glass art, and more. Also for sale during the weekend are 2020 wall calendars, locally published cookbooks, and tote bags whose profits help support Del Ray Artisans. Friday, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Free admission. 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA. For more information, visit www.delrayartisans.org.
Saturday, December 7 5:30 p.m.
20th Anniversary Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Starting at 5:30 p.m., watch as dozens of festively illuminated boats cruise along the Potomac River. Dive even deeper into the holiday spirit at Waterfront Park from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., where you’ll find Port City Brewing Company’s pop-up beer garden and holiday music and giveaways from 97.1 WASH-FM. Great for the entire family, more fun activities include Penny Post’s Letters to Santa postcard station, a holiday craft activity from AR Workshop Alexandria, and Old Town Books’ bookmark making station. Indulge in tasty polpettes from Pizzeria Paradiso or warm up at the hot chocolate bar from Dolci Gelati. At Alexandria City Marina, Riverside Taco Company offers hot cider and bottomless bites at their Parade Day Patio Party. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at the Alexandria City Marina by fireboat at 3:30 p.m. for photos at the annual Torpedo Factory Art Center Holiday Festival. Free admission, plus price of food/drink and various activities. Waterfront Park, 1 King Street, Alexandria, VA. Parade starts at 5:30 p.m.; Dockside festivities 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.visitalexandriava.com.
Saturday, December 7
Torpedo Factory Art Center Holiday Festival
If you love Christmas and appreciate great art, come meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Torpedo Factory Art Center when they arrive by fireboat at 3:30 pm. All evening long, you’ll hear the festive sounds of music and singing and have a great viewing point when the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights passes by. Perfect for art lovers on your gift list, works from local artists are on sale on all three floors. Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA. 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Free admission. For more information, visit www.torpedofactory.com.
Saturday, December 7
Holiday Bazaar at Grace
If you’re looking for a special holiday gift, check out Grace's Holiday Bazaar, where you’ll find unique handmade items and other goodies from local crafters and merchants from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. All proceeds from the rental of merchant space and raffle items benefit the Grace Episcopal Church Food Pantry. Free admission. Grace Episcopal Church, 3601 Russell Road, Alexandria, VA. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.