28 Fall Events To Check Out Around Alexandria In 2021

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Summer unofficially ends as kids return to school and pools close. There's still plenty to look forward to during fall with a lineup of festivals and other events in Alexandria.

Old Town Festival of Speed & Style kicks off September over Labor Day weekend. The month continues with favorites like the Alexandria Old Town Art Festival, Historic Homes Tour and Shop & Stroll with Old Town Boutique District.

October turns spooky with events like the Del Ray Halloween Parade, Doggie Trick or Treat and Raven’s Night at the Birchmere. Head south of Alexandria for seasonal events at George Washington's Mount Vernon like the Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour and Fall Harvest Festival.

Attendees should check for mask policies and other COVID-19 guidelines at the events or facilities they will attend. In Virginia, masks are recommended in any indoor public places for individuals 2 and up.

Below is a roundup of major fall events in Alexandria. Visit Alexandria has more events and activities at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/Fall.

The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style: Sept. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
200 to 400 blocks of King Street, Alexandria

The free festival features over 100 rare and unusual supercars and vintage motorcycles from around the world for close viewing. The event spans three blocks on lower King Street around Market Square. Local boutiques, salons and retailers will get involved through a special fashion demonstration showcasing styles from the cars on display from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Live music and street vendors will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to explore Old Town's shops and restaurants.

Creation & Libations at The Garden: Sept. 5, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Garden at Building Momentum, 5380 Eisenhower Ave. Suite C, Alexandria

Celebrate local this September at The Garden at Building Momentum with 10 plus artists set up throughout the event space for an end of summer bash. On the patio, enjoy live music from Yellow Door Concert Series, food trucks and local libations from Lost Boy Cider and Aslin Beer Co. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.

Alexandria's Original Ghost & Graveyard Tour: select dates

Starts at 221 King Street, Alexandria

Join Alexandria Colonial Tours for a tour through Old Town Alexandria with a costumed guide. Hear about ghost stories, legends, folklore, unsolved mysteries, tales of romance and angry ghosts on the one-hour walking tour. The tour spans about six blocks.

Old Town Cocktail Week: Sept. 10 to 19

Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria

This week-long event celebrates the growing craft cocktail community in Old Town Alexandria. Enjoy all things cocktail with outdoor activities, cocktails from restaurants and more. Along with creative libations offered at participating restaurants, Alexandria's boutiques, historic sites and other places will join in with special events. Old Town Cocktail Week will kick off with Art on the Rocks, hosted by The Art League at the Torpedo Factory Art Center on Sept. 10 at Waterfront Park. The week will end with a Meet the Makers Tasting Event at Market Square on Sept. 19. Admission price varies by event.

Art on the Rocks: Sept. 10, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Waterfront Park, 1A Prince Street, Alexandria

Join the kick-off to Old Town Cocktail Week to support Art League. Competing bartenders will create tasting cocktail creations and small bites. Ticketed attendees can sample the pairings and vote for their favorite during the event. A panel of experts will crown the winners of the most creative cocktail, appetizer and artwork pairing, and announce the crowd favorite. Admission is $55 per person.

The Taste of Old Town North: Sept. 16, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Montgomery Park, 901 North Royal Street, Alexandria

The Old Town North Community Partnership will host the 2021 Taste of Old Town North with wellness demonstrations, shopping at the Thursday Farmers Market, Art in the Park and wine and food tastings with local businesses followed by a concert at the Montgomery Park Gazebo from 5 to 6 p.m. with local favorites Sally and the Mander, followed by Three Man Soul Machine from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Taste of Old Town North is a free, kid-friendly, dog-friendly event, supported by the The Montgomery Center and MRE Properties, local not-for-profits and partner organizations NOTICe and the Old Town North Alliance.

19th Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival: Sept. 18 and 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

300 John Carlyle St., Alexandria

The 19th Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival will return to John Carlyle Square in 2021. All artwork is juried, which provides a higher level of quality, diversity and creativity of art on display, exemplifying the gifted artists in regions from all over the country. Attendees are asked to follow CDC guidelines. Admission is free.

Discovering Alexandria Architecture Tour: Sept. 18, Oct. 9, Nov. 13, 10 a.m.

Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria

Join Carlyle House for a tour of Alexandria looking at the various architecture styles that adorn the city streets and make it one of the best places to live and work. Reservations are required as space is limited. Wear comfortable shoes for this one-and-a-half hour guided tour. The tour is held rain or shine unless there is severe weather. Admission is $20 per person.

Cinema Del Ray: Sept. 18, dusk

Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields, 2701 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria

The Jen Walker Team presents an outdoor screening of "Raya and The Last Dragon at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields. Admission is free.

Colonial Market & Fair at Mount Vernon: Sept. 18 and 19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon

Take in the sights and sounds of the marketplace on Mount Vernon's 12-acre field. Chat with colonial artisans selling traditional handcrafted food and wares, hear live music from the colonial era and watch as expert artisans demonstrate period crafting techniques. Plus, see General Washington in the General’s Tent. Colonial Market & Fair is included with general admission to Mount Vernon.

Tall Ship Providence Happy Hour Cruises: Friday evenings throughout the fall, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Tall ship Providence, 1 Cameron St., Alexandria

Take Friday happy hour to historic tall ship Providence on the Potomac River. The two-hour cruises provide views of the unique D.C. skyline while sipping an icy adult beverage. Reserve your place now, as space is limited. Admission is $45 per person.

Alexandria Ghost Tour Pub Crawl with Nightly Spirits: Wednesdays through Sundays throughout the fall, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria

Experience a haunting mixture of ghostly sights and pub crawling on this walking tour of historic Old Town Alexandria. A costumed guide will take you in and out of several haunted pubs and other locations in Old Town, providing stories of ghosts and local history along the way. Tours last about two hours and cover approximately one mile. The tour is for ages 21 and older. Admission is $25 per person

Shop & Stroll with Old Town Boutique District: Sept. 24 to 26

Various boutiques throughout Old Town Alexandria

Pick up a passport at an Old Town Boutique District (OTBD) shop, then visit six stores to be entered to win a $500 gift card to an OTBD store of your choice, or visit twelve stores to be entered to win $1,000 gift card to an OTBD store of your choice. Stop by Hummingbird and Fontaine for a signature cocktail or mocktail during the stroll. Turn in your passport to the last store you visit. Winners will be selected on Sept. 27. No purchase necessary to participate. Kristen Jones is the presenting sponsor of Shop & Stroll.

Tell Me Your Name: Sept. 24, Oct. 22, 5 p.m.

Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Join Carlyle House Historic Park staff for a tour focusing on the experiences of the enslaved community at Carlyle House and John Carlyle’s plantations. The guided tour will explore the historical context of slavery in 18th-century Alexandria and the importance of ongoing research efforts to connect with descendants. Reservations are required as space is limited. Admission is $10 per person.

79th Historic Homes Tour, “Garden Glimpses”: Sept. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. September 25, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Old Town Alexandria

The TWIG’s 79th Historic Homes Tour, "Garden Glimpses,” will include 14 gardens and outdoor entertaining spaces in the southeast quadrant of Old Town, most of which are new to the tour. The tour will include gardens and backyard areas, with docents narrating information about the property. Tour maps can be picked up the morning of the event at the Alexandria Visitor Center, TWIG Thrift Shop, Boxwood and Old Presbyterian Meeting House. Admission is $30 in advance or $35 on the day of the tour.

Hollin Hills House + Garden Tour: Sept. 25, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Registration at Hollin Meadows Elementary School, 2310 Nordock Place, Alexandria

This self-guided walking tour showcases examples of mid-century modern architecture, landscaping and interior design in the Hollin Hills neighborhood. New this year, participate in special activities throughout the day such as morning yoga, a furniture showcase and more. All ticket holders are required to check in at registration to receive a wristband and program that includes a listing and map of all the homes and gardens open during the tour. The tour will take place rain or shine. Sponsors and VIP ticket holders can register beginning at 10 a.m. and access the tour early at 11 a.m. Admission is $50 per person or $80 for VIP.

George Washington Patriot Run: Sept. 26

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon

Join Mount Vernon and patriotic participants around the country for a 10-miler and 5K. The race is live and in-person, with a virtual option for participants who are outside of the area. Admission is $50 for in-person 5k and $70 for in-person 10-miler through Sept. 14; or $60 for in-person 5k, $80 for in-person 10-miler, and $35 for either virtual run from Sept. 15 to 26.

Dogtoberfest in Old Town North: Oct. 1 to 31

Various locations throughout Old Town North, Alexandria

Throughout October, Old Town North is going to the dogs with events sure to please our four-legged friends and their two-legged companions, from Paw and Palm reading at the Thursday Farmers Market, puppy pub crawls and trick-or-treating at the Thursday Market.

26th Annual Art on the Avenue: Oct. 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mount Vernon Avenue between Bellefonte and Hume Aves, Alexandria

Art on the Avenue is a multicultural arts festival held the first Saturday in October, rain or shine. Stroll down Del Ray's Mount Vernon Avenue between Bellefonte and Hume Avenues and discover more than 300 artists, from jewelers to glass makers to painters, while enjoying a variety of musicians and food vendors. Admission is free.

Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour: Oct. 8 to 10, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon

Taste unlimited samples from Virginia wineries after hours at George Washington's estate. Bring a blanket and relax on the east lawn overlooking the Potomac River and meet General Washington. Admission is $49 for members and $59 for general public on Friday; $53 for members and $63 for general public on Saturday; $43 for members and $53 for general public on Sunday.

Spirits of Carlyle House: Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Carlyle House’s long and diverse history is full of truths, myths and rumors that makes it one of the most visited places on Alexandria’s ghost tours. Come and experience a uniquely haunting tour of the house and grounds by candlelight, perhaps encounter the departed spirits of notable residents and neighbors and hear their tales of sadness and triumph. Reservations required due to limited space. Tours are held on the half hour. Admission is $10 per person

Raven’s Night at the Birchmere: Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.

In its 10th year, Raven’s Night creeps, slithers and slinks its way back to The Birchmere. Keep your Halloween season going with a unique soirée featuring fusion belly dance, live music and a pre-show carnival. This year’s theme, COVEN, brings the most iconic witched, warlocks and wizards to the stage. Doors open at 5 p.m. with an “All Hallows Eve Exposition,” featuring pre-show entertainment including games, palm reading, live performances and more, followed by the “Salon Lunaire” dinner concert at 6:30 p.m., leading up to the main event at 7:30 p.m., “Cabaret Melancholia,” a theatrical belly dance program featuring some of the greatest exponents of the art. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is $45 per person.

Fall Harvest Festival at Mount Vernon: Oct. 23 to 24, 9 a.n. to 5 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway., Mount Vernon

Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities and demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon. During this event, you can explore the farm, meet General Washington, watch beer-making demonstrations, see spinning demonstrations and more. This event is included with admission and is free for Mount Vernon members.

8th Annual Doggie Trick or Treat: Oct. 24, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Starts at The Dog Park, 705 King St., Alexandria

Dog and their humans are invited to come to Old Town and trick-or-treat together. There will be treats, sales and a costume contest. Come to The Dog Park in Old Town Alexandria to get your map and have pictures taken, then tour the rest of the participating stores to get more treats and find a sale or two in town.

Del Ray Halloween Parade: Oct. 24, 2 p.m.

Begins at Mount Vernon Ave., south of E. Bellefonte Ave, Alexandria

Del Ray’s annual Halloween Parade begins at Mount Vernon Ave., south of E. Bellefonte, and continues down to the Mount Vernon Recreation Center play fields. Children, pets and strollers in costumes are invited to march and show off their finest and scariest Halloween garb; awards are given for Best Pet Costume, Best Decorated Business, Best Decorated Home and Best Decorated Stroller. Stay tuned for more details.

Trick-or Treating at Mount Vernon: Oct. 30, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon

Celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities. Visit Mount Vernon in costume, watch Halloween-themed Punch & Judy shows, see 18th-century chocolate-making demonstrations and more. Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon takes place rain or shine. Admission is $25 per adult and $15 per youth. For members, admission is $17 per adult and $9 per youth.

Trick or Treat at Carlyle House: Oct. 31, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (or until candy runs out)

Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Join Carlyle House on All Hallow’s Eve for good old-fashioned trickery and treats. Bring your little ghosts, goblins, princesses and action heroes to one of Alexandria’s most haunted dwellings. Carlyle House staff will be handing out candy in individual bags. In case of inclement weather please, call the museum for event status. Admission is free.

15th Annual Alexandria Film Festival: Nov. 11 to 14

The Alexandria Film Festival returns as a hybrid event with virtual and some in-person events. The festival footprint is expanding this year to include a partnership with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, which will feature six original films and will be presented with a "live to picture" performance of the orchestra on Nov. 6 and 7. This performance will be in person but will observe current safety protocols such as social distancing. To get the latest information, visit AlexFilmFest.com. Admission is $12 per showcase or $75 for an All-Festival Pass.