5 Fun Things To Do This Month In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Summer's going by fast, and there's just a month left to enjoy the season. There are plenty of events going on in Alexandria to soak up the remainder of the summer.

There's a mix of free and paid events. Whether you're looking for a happy hour or fun for the whole family, there's a variety of events going on.

Here are five that caught our eye. Do you know of another event going on in August? Share in the comments below, or add it to the Old Town Alexandria Patch Calendar. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

1. First Thursday: Staycation, Aug. 3, 6-9 p.m.

Mount Vernon Avenue, Del Ray

Held by the Del Ray Business Association, the free street festivals are the first Thursday of the month from April to September along Mount Vernon Avenue. This month's theme is Staycation, with activities like beach yoga, a photo booth, live music, a watermelon seed spitting contest and more. Every month, the event raises money for a local non-profit, and this month is Blessings in a Backpack. The organization which provides food for the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Attendees are encouraged to bring single serving-sized, non-perishable food.

2. Friendship Firehouse Festival, Aug. 5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S. Alfred St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Come out to the annual Friendship Firehouse Festival in the 100 Block of S. Alfred Street and celebrate the fire department's 151st anniversary. Attendees will receive a free fire hat and can check out the old hose reel, as well as the suction pumper fire engine, both pulled by hand. The festival includes community booth, fire-fighting activities, fire vehicles, and more.

3. Annual Sidewalk Sale, Aug. 12-13

Around Old Town Alexandria and Del Ray

The annual tradition of sidewalk sales in Alexandria returns. Come support local businesses in Del Ray and Old Town Alexandria. Over 50 businesses will offer discounted summer merchandise. Local retailers will sell a variety of products, from fashion and jewelry to home decor, culinary, seasonal and gift items. Participating businesses will have bright yellow balloon markers outside their stores. Metered parking will be free in Old Town Saturday in addition to Sundays, and parking is always free in Del Ray. See participating businesses here.

4. Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week, Aug. 18-27

Around Alexandria

At least 57 restaurants are serving up special menus for the annual Alexandria Summer Restaurant week. For 10 days, restaurants will be serving up special menus. Over 50 restaurants will offer a $35 three-course dinner or dinner for two, and over 20 will have lunch specials for $10, $15 and $20 in addition. Restaurants around the city will participate. See more details here.

5. Outdoor Concerts, throughout August

Around Alexandria

Wherever you live in Alexandria, there's a free outdoor concert nearby. The remaining summer performances for August are:

• Canal Center Plaza Concert Series: Aug. 2, noon- 1 p.m. Performance by The Winstons--Memories of Motown at Canal Center Plaza, 44 Canal Center Plaza
• Market Square Concert: Aug. 3, 7 p.m. 8 p.m. Performance by the 257th Army Band Concert Band at Market Square, 301 King St.
• Sunset Concert: Aug. 8, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Performance by Capital Sound, pop/dance band of the 257th Army Band at John Carlyle Park, 300 John Carlyle St.
• Music at Twilight Concert: Aug. 10, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. City concert series with a performance by Mike Surratt & the Continentals International Polka Show at Fort Ward Park Amphitheater, 4301 W. Braddock Rd.
• Friday Night on the Square: Aug. 11, 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Performance by the Alexandria Harmonizers featuring Men's Barbershop at Market Square, 301 King St.

Image via Maria Jose Ovalle/Visit Alexandria