Busy Christmas Season Ahead In Alexandria: Your Can't Miss Events

With Christmas getting closer, there's plenty of events to look forward to around Alexandria. The city is a Christmas destination in its own right, with events such as the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and Waterskiing Santa. And there's plenty more where that came from.

Here are some of the highlights:

Alexandria Tree Lighting Ceremony: Nov. 23, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Market Square, 301 King Street, Alexandria

Admission: Free

Come out to see the City tree lighting, which includes a welcome by the Town Crier, the mayor and other city officials, a visit by Santa and a Santa’s Frosty Follies performance by the Metropolitan Fine Arts Center.

Black Friday in Alexandria: Nov. 23

Old Town Alexandria and Del Ray

Admission: Free to browse

More than 50 independent boutiques will kick off the holiday shopping season with deals. At least 1o stores will open at 6 a.m., including Bellacara, The Shoe Hive, The Hive, fibre space, Red Barn, Penny Post and Pacers. Sugar Shack Donuts will also open at 6 a.m. and is offering a free house donut with the purchase of any seasonal holiday drink.

The Old Town Boutique District celebrates with Plaid Friday, a relaxing and enjoyable alternative to big box stores’ Black Friday to promote local and independently owned businesses during the holidays. Look for the plaid bow outside all Old Town Boutique District stores to see which stores are participating.

Small Business Saturday in Alexandria: Nov. 24

Old Town Alexandria and Del Ray

Admission: Free to browse

More than 50 independently owned boutiques in Old Town Alexandria and Del Ray will offer special in-store activities. The popular Elf Prize Patrol returns from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. treating shoppers in Old Town and Del Ray with surprise giveaways, while the Alexandria Singers and the Alexandria Citizens Band will have pop-up musical performances from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Other activities include a postcard pop-up from Penny Post, special activities at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, hands-on arts activities by the Mobile Art Lab and holiday tunes and cheer by DJ Josh Goldman.

Photos with Santa in Old Town Alexandria: Nov. 24, Dec. 8, 15, 22, noon to 3 p.m.

Hooray for Books!, 1555 King St, Alexandria

Admission: With donation

Hooray for Books! and Visit Alexandria have expanded photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus this year to include four Saturdays, starting on Small Business Saturday. The photographer from local studio Tisara Photography will be taking photos. Reserve a 10-minute for your children to meet with Santa by making any size donation to the bookstore’s special Santa account. Donations are used to provide books, toys and games for the Alexandria Domestic Violence Program’s Holiday Party. Advance reservations are required.

Museum Store Sunday in Historic Alexandria: Nov. 25

Various locations

Admission: Free to browse

Visit Alexandria museums for Museum Store Sunday, the day after Small Business Saturday to find unique and historically inspired gifts with special offers, seasonal refreshments and more. Participating museum stores include the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, Friendship Firehouse Museum, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Alexandria Black History Museum, Fort Ward Museum, Freedom House Museum, and the Carlyle House.

Del Ray Artisans’ 23rd Annual Holiday Market: Nov. 30-Dec. 2, Dec.7-9 and Dec. 14-16, Fridays, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria

Admission: Free to browse

Del Ray Artisans’ Annual Holiday Market offers unique handmade fine arts and crafts from local artists, including pottery/ceramics, photography, jewelry, fiber, paper crafts and glass. Different artists will be featured each weekend.

Scottish Christmas Walk Parade: Dec. 1, 11 a.m.

St. Asaph and Wolfe Streets to Market Square

Admission: Free

Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town during the iconic holiday parade. , Spectators will see pipe and drum bands from around the region, as well as terriers and hounds. The parade, which takes place rain or shine, begins at St. Asaph and Wolfe Streets and concludes at Market Square with a massed band concert.

Campagna Center Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend: Nov. 30-Dec. 1, various times

Old Town Alexandria

Admission: Free for parade and Heather and Greens Sales; $180-$290 for Taste of Scotland; $40 for Holiday Home Tours

The 48th annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend is the perfect way to kick off the month of December. Along with the parade, events include the Taste of Scotland scotch tasting (Nov. 30), a holiday Heather and Greens Sales (Dec. 1) and Holiday Home Tours (Dec. 1). A nod to the city's Scottish founders, the weekend grew from a parade to a weekend of holiday festivities.

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights: Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m.

Alexandria City Marina, 0 Cameron Street, Alexandria

Admission: Free

The day of the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, spectators can stick around to see dozens of brightly lit boats cruise around the Alexandria harbor at 5:30 p.m. Festivities kick off at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, which will hold holiday activities from 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Other fun will follow at the Alexandria City Marina from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., including a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company featuring their popular seasonal Tidings Ale, a pop-up Vola's Dockside Grill and giveaways from Lyft. Penny Post will hold a Letters to Santa postcard pop-up, AR Workshop Alexandria will have a DIY holiday wood ornament craft activity and Dolci Gelati will offer a hot chocolate bar.

Holidays on the Avenue in Del Ray: Dec. 1, 6 p.m.

Pat Miller Neighborhood Square at Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Oxford Avenue, Alexandria

Admission: Free

Kick off the holidays with a visit to Del Ray for the annual holiday tree lighting, featuring a special appearance by Santa Claus who will lead carols and sit for photos with children. Continue the celebration and start your holiday shopping with a stroll down Mount Vernon Avenue, which will be illuminated by thousands of luminarias. Pick your favorite in the neighborhood business association's annual Christmas tree decorating contest.

Del Ray Holiday Pop-Up Market: Dec. 2, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Pat Miller Neighborhood Square at Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Oxford Avenue, Alexandria

Admission: Free

Find the perfect gift at this pop-up market featuring local artisans and at-home entrepreneurs.

Portside Fitness: Alexandria Holiday Sweater Run: Dec. 2, 8 a.m., followed by brunch at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Waterfront Park, 1A Prince Street, Alexandria

Chadwicks, 203 Strand St., Alexandria

Admission: Free to run; ticket required for brunch at Chadwicks

Join Pacers Running, the City of Alexandria and Chadwicks at Waterfront Park for run. All paces are welcome, and no ticket is required to join the run. Come out in your holiday finest (running shoes strongly encouraged!). The run route will take you south through Old Town on Union Street and then connect to the George Washington Memorial Parkway Trail. There will be different turnarounds options from four miles up 20 miles—plenty of options to fit your training goals. Tickets are required for a seat at Chadwicks’ "Run then Brunch." One run group will have brunch at 9 a.m. and the second group will go at 10 a.m. Come in your holiday sweater to receive 20 percent off your tab. Brunch seating is limited.

Shops of Del Ray’s Ladies’ Night Out: Dec. 6, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria

Admission: Free

Shop local and enjoy special promotions while sipping Virginia wine.

Alexandria Black History Museum’s How to Celebrate Kwanzaa Workshop: Dec. 8, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., Alexandria

Admission: $2

Have you ever wanted to celebrate Kwanzaa, but are not sure how to begin? Join the staff of the Alexandria Black History Museum and Marilyn Patterson, CEO of Joyous Events, for an informative morning that includes the history of Kwanzaa, and hints on easy to make crafts, games, gifts, recipes and holiday decorating.

Civil War Christmas in Camp: Dec. 8, noon to 4 p.m.

Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria

Admission: $2 suggested donation per person; $5 per family

Learn about Christmas traditions during the Civil War. Program features a patriotic Union Santa Claus, soldiers and civilians celebrating the holiday in winter camps, the decorated Officers’ Hut, a Victorian tree, fort tours and kids’ activities.

Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours: Dec. 8, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street, Alexandria

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

Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Admission: $25 adults; $20 seniors 65 years and older, and active military; $5 children ages 6-17

Travel through centuries of local history as you learn more about Alexandria during the holiday season at Carlyle House, Gadsby's Tavern Museum and the Lee-Fendall House. Enjoy each site by candlelight, smell seasonal greenery, sip on drinks and taste period inspired food. Seasonal libations will be available for purchase.

Del Ray Candy Cane Bar Crawl: Dec. 8, 4 p.m.

Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria

Admission: $10 for advanced tickets; $15 at the door

Take a break from the bustle of holiday preparations and enjoy specialty cocktails, beer and food specials at select Del Ray restaurants during a neighborhood bar crawl to benefit local nonprofits.

A Victorian Christmas: Dec. 15, 11 a.m. 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria

Admission: $10; free to members

Experience a Victorian Christmas at the Lee-Fendall House. The house will be beautifully decorated for the season and there will be holiday crafts, photographs with Santa, seasonal treats, story time, an antique toy exhibit and more.

Portside Holidays: Storytime with Santa: Dec. 15, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Alexandria Marina at Cameron Street near the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria

Admission: Free

Join the region’s most beloved Santa and Mrs. Claus for a special storytime that includes a reading of holiday stories like “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Take part in the Penny Post pop-up where you can write a letter to Santa that he will take back with him to the North Pole, enjoy a pop-up s’mores bar from The Capital Candy Jar, and warm up with a cup of hot cocoa from Dolci Gelati’s hot chocolate bar. Storytime with Santa is part of Alexandria’s new Portside in Old Town series that offers free themed happenings in history, art, music and fitness with activities for families and for adults, plus additional pop-up experiences and events.

Colonial Handbell Ringers Concert: Dec. 16, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The Lyceum: Alexandria’s History Museum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria

Admission: Free

The Colonial English Handbell Ringers perform clad in colonial attire, bringing a 5-octave set of nearly 80 handbells from the world-famous Whitechapel foundry in London. The ringers will perform children’s classics, timeless holiday tunes and original show-stoppers. Audience participation in the sing-a-long encouraged.

Waterskiing Santa: Dec. 24, 1 p.m.

Alexandria’s Waterfront from the Alexandria City Marina and Waterfront Park

Admission: Free

This Christmas Eve tradition returns for its 33rd year. Spectators gather along the waterfront to see a dazzling show by Santa and his helpers. Come early to see the pre-show featuring jet skis, and stay after to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and the crew. See our story from last year.

Image via R. Kennedy/Visit Alexandria