Egg Hunts, Spring Carnival: Guide To Spring 2019 In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA—It won't be long until spring arrives, and a ton of seasonal events will come along with it. Local favorites like the Old Town Alexandria Historic Homes & Garden Tour, Del Ray Bar Crawl, Parkway Classic and Lee-Fendall House Egg Hunt will return. New events include the Spring Carnival and Cherry Blossom Food Crawl.

Below are the spring event highlights in Alexandria. (You also can post your own local events on the Patch. Here's how to sign up.)

March

Cherry Blossom Rides with Pedego: March 20-April 12, 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Pedego Alexandria, 210 North Lee St., Alexandria

Admission: $59 per person

Pedego Electric Bikes will offer two to three hour guided tours from Old Town to the cherry blossoms, including riding through Hains Point Park. Pedego bikes offer an up-close-and-personal view of the blossoms, without the exertion of regular bikes or the stress of traffic and parking. All tours are subject to weather, safe riding conditions and bike availability. Individual riders must be at least 16 years old. Child seats, passenger bikes and a tandem are available to accommodate younger participants. Helmets and bike locks are included. Credit card and ID are required for rentals. Contact Pedego Alexandria for private group tours.

Art on the Vine: March 22, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.

The Art League Gallery, Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria

Admission: $45

This part wine tasting experience and part art tour is a fundraiser for the Art League. The Art League’s local sommelier curates an artistic wine-tasting experience inspired by the art in The Art League’s gallery. Enjoy the party and discounts on wine and artwork that night.

9th Annual March150 Art Party: March 29, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria

Admission: $25 in advance; $30 at the door

Target Gallery’s popular annual exhibition and art sale, March150 returns. The March150 Art Party is the closing reception for Target Gallery’s March150 Special Exhibition and Art Sale, where all remaining artwork is discounted to $100. All proceeds from artwork sales support artist stipends for future special exhibitions and programs at the Target Gallery and the Torpedo Factory Art Center. A special menu of appetizers will be provided by Chadwicks, a wine bar provided by Sonoma Cellar, beer by Port City Brewing Co., a photo booth by Mr. Shuttersworth, hands-on art activities with the Mobile Art Lab, printmaking by Patrick Sargent of Printmakers Inc., live painting demos by post-grad resident Michaela Japec, an interactive performance by George Mason University MFA candidate Andi Benge, and more.

April

3rd Annual Del Ray Bar Crawl: April 6, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Del Ray

Admission: $15 in advance; $20 at the door

This community bar crawl features food and drink specials at neighborhood restaurants, raffles and more. Proceeds benefit Rebuilding Together Alexandria and the beautification of Mount Vernon Avenue. Check back for ticket information and participating restaurants.

Cherry Blossom Celebration: April 6, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria

Admission: free

Enjoy all things cherry blossom, including an indoor hanami (flower viewing) in the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Artists will show and make work inspired by the popular pink and white blooms. You'll find a bevy of activities and performances to enjoy this regional celebration in Alexandria.

Alexandria Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninoff: April 6, 8 p.m. and April 7, 3 p.m.

Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 4915 E. Campus Dr., Alexandria

George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr., Alexandria

Admission: $5 for youth 18 and under; $10 for students with valid ID; $20 to $80 for adults

The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra’s 2018-2019 season concludes in April, featuring Rachmaninoff’s famed Piano Concerto No. 3 with soloist Marianna Prjevalskaya. The concerto is heralded as one of the most technically difficult in the modern repertoire; its notoriety expanded in pop culture with the release of the 1996 film, "Shine," loosely based on the life of pianist David Helfgott. By contrast, Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 "Spring" was an early work in the composer’s repertoire, inspired by German poetry and expanding on the composer’s early songs for voice and piano.

Spring Oysterfest: April 6, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Vola’s Dockside Grill, 101 North Union St., Alexandria

Admission: $80

Join Vola’s at their Spring Oysterfest with unlimited fresh shucked oysters, fried and broiled oysters, oyster stew and more, plus beer and wine.

Alexandria Tastes of Spring Cherry Blossom Food Crawl: April 7, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location provided with purchase

Admission: $80 for six tasting tickets; $96 for eight tasting tickets

Enjoy the season’s first blooms while enjoying good food on the first-ever Alexandria Tastes of Spring Cherry Blossom Food Crawl. Eat your way through Old Town on a self-guided food tour sampling diverse cuisine at some of Alexandria’s most popular restaurants. Buy your tasting tickets online and enjoy one tasting at any of Carpe DC Food Tours’ 10 participating Alexandria restaurants. Guests can buy tickets in packages of six or eight, and vegetarian options are available.

Easter Egg Hunt with the Old Town Boutique District: April 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Old Town boutiques

Admission: free

Join the Old Town Boutique District for a morning of Easter fun. While little ones are busy searching for a big Easter egg hidden within each of boutique, moms and dads can shop the beautiful selection of spring clothing, shoes, jewelry, home decor, doggie toys and more. Receive a raffle ticket with your purchase(s) to be entered in a drawing to win fabulous items from local businesses.

Easter Egg Hunt at Lee-Fendall House: 3 p.m. on April 19; 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on April 20; 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on April 21

Admission: $15 for children ages 1-12; $5 for adults; free for infants under 1 years old; discounted tickets for Friends of the Lee-Fendall House

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria

The Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt returns to Alexandria on Easter weekend. Once again, the museum’s garden will be filled with hundreds of colorful, toy-filled Easter eggs. Other activities include games, crafts, refreshments and photos with the Easter Bunny. Buy tickets now, as they sell out quickly.

86th Annual Old Town Alexandria Historic Homes & Garden Tour, April 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Old Town Alexandria

Admission: $45 in advance; $55 day of the tour at The Athenaeum or Old Presbyterian Meeting House

Five of Old Town Alexandria's finest private homes and gardens will be on display for Historic Garden Week in Virginia, the nation’s oldest and largest collection of house and garden tours. The homes will feature beautiful floral arrangements created by the members of the Garden Club of Alexandria and the Hunting Creek Garden Club, the tour’s sponsors. This walking tour features private townhomes and secluded gardens located along the tree-lined streets of Alexandria’s historic district, plus refreshments and a marketplace at The Athenaeum. Tour tickets also provide access to two Garden Club of Virginia restoration projects, located at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Green Spring Gardens. Tour attendees can also stop at the Alexandria Visitor Center at historic Ramsay House, where the garden is undergoing a major renovation.

Old Town Spring Carnival: Postponed to a future date

Boutiques throughout Old Town Alexandria

Admission: Free

Step right up to win prizes during Old Town’s first ever Spring Carnival. Old Town boutiques are celebrating spring with carnival fun and games. Pick up your carnival ticket in any of the participating stores, then bring it into each store and take your chance to win prizes on good old-fashioned carnival games. Get your ticket punched from all 13 stores and be entered to win the grand prize of a $100 gift card from each store. Participating stores include Bellacara, Bishop Boutique, Hooray for Books, Monday’s Child, Old Town Books, Penny Post, Pink and Brown, Red Barn Mercantile, Stitch Sew Shop, The Dog Park, The Hive, The Shoe Hive and Threadleaf.

Canine Cruise: April 27 and May 18, 11 a.m.

Alexandria Marina, 1 Cameron St., Alexandria

Admission: $24.99 adults (ages 12+); $15.75 children ages 2 to 11; free for children under 2 and dogs

Calling all dog owners and dog lovers! With or without a four-legged friend, you are invited to join us for this special 45-minute cruise of Alexandria’s seaport—a favorite spring activity for locals. Dogs are free, but must be on a six-foot non-retractable leash.

35th Annual Parkway Classic: April 28, 8 a.m.

Old Town Alexandria

Admission: $10-$80

The Parkway Classic is Alexandria’s hometown race, and so much more, with the Parkway route connecting two of the area’s most historic spots. The starting gun (sadly, there is no musket) fires steps from the picturesque George Washington’s Mount Vernon. From there, participants travel down the tree-lined George Washington Memorial Parkway to another area associated with Washington: Old Town Alexandria. In addition to the 10-mile distance, a 5K and kid’s dash are available. The Parkway Classic supports the Boys and Girls Club of Alexandria and has been voted a favorite spring race by RunWashington Magazine.

May

Spring Pop-Up Market: May 5, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Del Ray

Admission: Free

Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Spring Pop-Up Market provides the chance to discover unique gifts made by local entrepreneurs and artisans. The market will happen at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square.

Mothers’ Day Tea: May 12, 2:30 p.m.

Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria

Admission: $45 for adults; $25 for children ages 6-12; children under 5 are free

Treat your mother, grandmother or special woman in your life to an elegant afternoon tea. Relax in the beautiful setting of the Magnolia Terrace with personalized tableside service and food catered by Calling Card Events for an unforgettable day. Registration is required; there are no refunds. All participants, including children under 5, must be registered. Ticket sales end May 5.