Del Ray Holiday Kick-Off To Feature NBC4's Pat Collins

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Del Ray will kick off the holiday season with its tree and menorah lighting Sunday at 6 p.m.

The Del Ray Holiday Kick-Off will take place at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, Mount Vernon and Oxford Avenues. Mount Vernon Avenue is expected to be closed due to the expected turnout.

The event includes a tree lighting countdown with NBC4 reporter Pat Collins a Hanukah presentation, holiday carols and photos with Santa. Del Ray's holiday tree was provided by Bill Blackburn and Mike Anderson of Homegrown Restaurant Group.

Attendees can also view hand-painted holiday windows at businesses along Mount Vernon Avenue as well as thousands of luminarias in honor of the late Nancy Dunning. Dunning, a real estate agent who was killed in 2003, is credited with helping Mount Vernon Avenue transform into the vibrant area it is today.

Attendees can also bring toiletries for Carpenter’s Shelter to the holiday celebration.

Other holiday events planned in Del Ray include Shops of Del Ray’s Sip & Shop on Dec. 8, Candy Cane Bar Crawl on Dec. 10, Del Ray Holiday Pop-Up Market on Dec. 10, Del Ray Artisans Fine Art & Fine Craft Holiday Market on multiple weekends and ongoing Del Ray Holiday Decorating Contest. A scavenger hunt featuring hand-painted windows created by local artists along Mount Vernon Avenue will be announced at a later time. Gift cards to Del Ray businesses will be given as a prize for the scavenger hunt.