New Partners To Help Host Scottish Christmas Walk Parade In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Campagna Center, a nonprofit that has hosted the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade for 50 years, will get a helping hand from local partners this year.

The Campagna Center announced the 51st annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade will be done in partnership with Visit Alexandria and the City of Alexandria. Visit Alexandria, which hosts the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on the same day, will take over logistical responsibilities for the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade with support from the city. The Campagna Center will provide volunteers for the parade and continue to host the Taste of Scotland.

The change is due to the growing scope of the parade, according to a news release.

"This new partnership allows Campagna Center to continue to deliver its critical mission of supporting children and families in Alexandria with education and social support programs from cradle to career," read the news release from the Campagna Center and Visit Alexandria. "With the support of Visit Alexandria in executing the annual parade, Campagna Center can remain committed to serving children and families and placing the mission of the organization at the center of all its efforts."

This year's Scottish Christmas Walk Parade will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. The parade celebrates Alexandria's 1749 founding by Scottish merchants and naming for Scotsman John Alexander. Parade spectators will see Scottish clans in colorful tartans, pipe and drum bands, terriers and hounds and more. Later that day, the Holiday Boat Parade will be held at 5:30 p.m. following dockside festivities starting at 2 p.m.

The double parade day is branded as Alexandria's biggest holiday weekend and an economic driver for businesses and the hospitality industry. According to Visit Alexandria and the Campagna Center, the weekend draws overnight hotel guests and DC region visitors to the city.

The Taste of Scotland is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2 with proceeds benefiting the Campagna Center's programs for Alexandria children and families. The ticketed event features whiskey-tasting stations, hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine bars, and an art exhibit from the Torpedo Factory Art Center.