October 11-13
Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Celebrate the history of wine in Virginia with exclusive evening tours of the Mansion and cellar, appearances by George and Martha Washington, and live music. Bring a blanket, relax on the east lawn overlooking the scenic Potomac River, and sample wines made in Virginia. During tours of the Mansion, visit the cellar where Washington stored his wine and learn about the successes and failures of our Founding Father’s endeavors with wine. To accompany the wine tasting, fruit and cheese boxes are available by advance purchase. A variety of hot and cold food and desserts including baguettes, gourmet sandwiches, and specialty sweets will be available on site from the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. Friday, Oct. 11: $48; Saturday Oct. 12: $52; Sunday, Oct. 13: $42
October 12
Book It for Books 5K/One-Mile Fun Run
9:00 am-10:30 am
Bluemont Park
329 N. Manchester, Arlington
Book It For Books 5K/One-Mile Run, sponsored by Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia (RIF of NOVA), will raise funds to provide books for deserving NOVA children in the city of Alexandria and in Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties. Open to serious and fun runners and walkers, families, school/scout/sports teams, children in strollers, etc. Wear a literary character costume to add to the fun! Why is it critical to provide books to deserving children? Because 57% of 4th grade children in Virginia do not read at proficient levels. RIF of NOVA has been providing books to area children for almost 50 years. Packet pick up will be available at =PR= (Potomac River Running)/Arlington Store (4238 Wilson Blvd, Suite 1235) from 3-6 pm on October 11 and at the race site on October 12 starting at 8:15 am. Run registration is open. Packet pick up will be available at Potomac River Running Arlington Store, 4238 Wilson Blvd, Suite 1235, from 3-6 pm on October 11 and at the race site on October 12 starting at 8:15 am.
October 12
11:00 am-1:00 pm
“African Americans and Africa: A New History” by Nemata Amelia Ibitayo Blyden
Alexandria Black History Museum
902 Wythe St.
Nemata Amelia Ibitayo Blyden, also the author of “West Indians in West Africa, 1808–1880: The African Diaspora in Reverse,” provides in her latest book an introduction to the relationship between African Americans and Africa from the era of slavery to the present, mapping several overlapping diasporas. $5
October 12
1:00 pm-7:00 pm
Portside in Old Town Waterfront Festival
Waterfront Park
1 King St.
Enjoy a day of live music, maritime history, nautical demonstrations, and children’s activities on the Old Town Alexandria waterfront. Savor local food, beer and wine while experiencing boat building demonstrations from Alexandria Seaport Foundation Apprentices and knot tying from tall ship Providence. Explore Portside History from the Office of Historic Alexandria, highlighting the archaeological findings of 18th-century ships uncovered along the Old Town waterfront. Continuing Alexandria’s fall tradition of Seaport Day, select activities benefit the Alexandria Seaport Foundation’s mission to improve the lives of young people through adult mentoring, project-based learning, and the craft of wooden boat building. Free admission
October 12
Lady Liberty’s Birthday Party Benefiting Just Neighbors
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Building Momentum
7630 Little River Turnpike, Suite 900
You’re invited to Lady Liberty’s Birthday Party hosted by local non-profit Just Neighbors to support legal services for low-income immigrants and refugees so that more clients can successfully move through the immigration system to obtain legal status. They celebrate the gift of the Statue of Liberty (Lady Liberty) from France to the USA as a beacon of welcome for global immigrants for over a century. Please join in a night of music, silent auctions, building community and supporting immigrant and refugee neighbors. Wine and beer will be served as well as a delicious spread of international appetizers and birthday cake. A “torchbearer” award will be presented to someone from the community who has made significant contributions to the work of Just Neighbors in support of immigrants and refugees. $25 for adults; $12.50 for kids
October 12
7:00 pm-10:00 pm
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union St.
The Art Center’s signature evening series features eclectic art and activities. In among three floors of open artists’ studios, find gallery receptions, stimulating artist talks, pop-up performances, hands-on projects, lively music, and more. Free
October 14
7:00 pm-11:00 pm
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal St.
Join Port City Brewing Company and Gadsby’s Tavern Museum as we honor the anniversary of the Female Stranger’s death with her Long Black Veil beer. This special craft beer was inspired by the famous tale of the Female Stranger, who died at the tavern on October 14, 1816. Enjoy great local beers and a four-course meal and learn the history surrounding her tragic story. Tickets available online at www.Alexandriava.gov/shop/events $85/person
October 15
Digital Photography Aspects of Genealogy
1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Hollin Hall Senior Center, Room 112
1500 Shenandoah Rd.
The Mount Vernon Genealogical Society host photographer and genealogical researcher Gary Petranek, Co-Director of the Washington DC Family History Center, about the digital photography aspects of genealogy and about the RootsMagic software. His presentation is called “How to Get a Good Digital Photo from Old Photos; Introduction to RootsMagic.” More information is available http://www.mvgenealogy.org.
October 15
6:15 pm-8:00 pm
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
201 S. Washington St.
In his richly-illustrated lecture, Oxford historian Dr. Oliver Cox, will talk about the long history of horses and the English country house, as well as describe horse racing in England from the first years of royal patronage under King James I at Newmarket, through to our present Queen’s love of the turf. He will lead the audience on a tour of some of Britain’s grandest country houses, with stops at the iconic sporting spectacles of The Derby, Royal Ascot and the Cheltenham Festival. Looking beyond the top hats and fascinators, this lecture will explore the roots of the British love for horses and horse racing while showing great houses, from Mount Stewart in Northern Ireland to Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire. $35 for Royal Oak members; $45 non-members $35 for Royal Oak members; $45 non-members
October 19
Death at the City Hotel Special Tour
7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal St.
The City Tavern has been the site of many historic events, but also of macabre ones. This special tour explores the stories of the people who breathed their last at the hotel and the scenes surrounding them. Bring your friends and raise a glass (drink provided!) to those who have come before, from a famous actress to Civil War soldiers. You won’t look at this historic corner of Alexandria the same again. Tickets available online at www.Alexandriava.gov/shop/events $20/person
October 19-20
9:00 am-5:00 pm
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Celebrate the autumn season with 18th-century activities for the whole family at Mount Vernon. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride and play colonial games on the bowling green before heading to the Pioneer Farm to observe 18th-century demonstrations and greet General Washington. Find your way through a straw bale maze and listen to the Itinerant Band play colonial tunes. Included with general admission ($20 adults; $12 youth) Sightseeing cruises are offered at half the regular price (while supplies last).
October 25, 26, November 1, 2
7:30 pm, 8:30 pm, 9:30 pm
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
614 Oronoco St.
Celebrate Halloween with a look at Victorian mourning traditions combined with stories of tragic deaths and mysterious encounters at the Lee-Fendall House. Learn more about the rituals and customs surrounding death in the Victorian period including funeral practices, hair jewelry, mourning clothing, and séances. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark! $10 at the door; free to members
October 25
Carlyle House
121 N. Fairfax St
7:00 pm-11:59 pm
Join Carlyle House for a double feature of classic horror movies. Voting for the movies will take place two weeks before on Carlyle House’s Facebook page. The top two picks out of the six movies will be played back to back on the terrace starting at 7pm. Please bring your own picnic blankets and short lawn chairs for the back terrace. $2/person.
October 26-28
Tales of Mystery & the Imagination – Poems and Stories of Edgar Allan Poe
7:00 pm-8:15 pm
Ivy Hill Cemetery
2823 King St.
Poems and Stories of Edgar Allan Poe, preceded by a short ghost tour of Ivy Hill Cemetery. Handicapped accessible ghost tour begins at the Ivy Hill Cemetery Office, and ends at the Receiving Vault, where actors from Guillotine Theatre will read from the works of Edgar Allan Poe. $20.00 (cash, check, credit card, paypal.me/IHCHPS), RSVP: [email protected] (Limited seating)
October 26
6th Annual Halloween Pumpkin Hunt
10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
614 Oronoco St.
Alexandria’s ghosts and goblins will fill the garden with hundreds of colorful toy-filled Halloween objects for local children to discover. Other activities include crafts to take home, a sticker station, temporary tattoos, spooky stories, a costume parade with prizes as well as drinks and refreshments. Every participating child receives a pumpkin—one pumpkin in each of our pumpkin hunt sessions will have a certificate for a special prize hidden inside. Costumes encouraged! (703) 548-1789 $5 adults; $15 ages 1-10; infants free with advance ticket
October 26
11:00 am-1:00 pm
Alexandria Black History Museum
902 Wythe St.
Join an interactive lecture and candy tasting focusing on the African American role in American candy making. Led by author Susan Benjamin, the founder of True Treats Candy, which is the nation’s only historic candy company. Guests will receive a treat bag, and candy will be available to purchase. $15
October 26
12:00 pm-4:00 pm
Carlyle House
121 N. Fairfax St.
Carlyle House is hosting a Tim Burton themed party on the front lawn of the house. Visitors will be able to interact with several characters from Tim Burton’s films (such as Alice in Wonderland) and play a variety of Burton themed games. For those who wish to participate, at 2 pm, there will be a costume contest. Burton films will be playing on the back terrace during the event. $5 for children ages 0-12. $1 for adults ages 13+. No refunds.
October 26
5:00 pm
Starting at Wilkes St. and S. Payne St.
Enjoy a guided tour through several of Alexandria’s historic cemeteries. Learn about Alexandria’s famous residents, including those who fought in the Revolutionary War, Mexican War, and Civil War. $15 per adult; $8 per child
October 26
7:00 pm-10:00 pm
Carlyle House
121 N. Fairfax St.
As night falls, Carlyle House is taking on the more sinister movies created by Tim Burton. Participate in a Burton-themed scavenger hunt around the grounds of the house. The team with the quickest completion time will walk away with a Burton-themed prize. During the evening, there will be Burton films playing on the back terrace. This is not a time slotted event. $10/person. No refunds.
October 27
2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Mount Vernon and Commonwealth Aves.
Del Ray’s annual Halloween Parade begins at Mt. Vernon Ave., south of E. Bellefonte, and continues down to the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center play fields at Mt. Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues. Children, pets, and strollers in costumes are invited to march and show off their finest and scariest Halloween garb. Following the parade, awards are given for Best Pet Costume, Best Decorated Business, Best Decorated Home, and Best Decorated Stroller during a brief ceremony. There is no fee to compete for Best Pet Costume or Best Decorated contests. Judges include elected officials and city dignitaries. Free
October 29-31
Oct. 29 7:00 pm, Oct. 30 7:00 pm, Oct. 31 6:30
Alexandria Visitor Center
221 King St.
This tour is an extended version of our ‘Ghosts of Alexandria’ tour where you can learn even more about Old Town’s haunted secrets. This tour is only offered the week of Halloween. $15 per adult; $8 per child
October 30-31
8:00 pm-9:30 pm
The Lyceum
201 S Washington St.
Don’t miss two unforgettable Halloween evenings with America’s earliest master of the macabre – Edgar Allan Poe! Actor David Keltz recreates one of Edgar Allen Poe’s 19th-century speaking engagements, including literary criticism, short stories, poetry, and musings. $15 per person. Reservations recommended: https://shop.alexandriava.gov/ or 703-746-4994.
October 31
Trick-Or-Treating at Carlyle House
4:00 pm-6:00 pm
Carlyle House
121 N. Fairfax St.
join the fun 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. We’ll be handing out candy. In case of inclement weather, please call museum for status of the event. (703) 549-2997 Free
November 2
9:00 am-4:00 pm
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Watch a simulated fox hunt demonstration on the estate of the Father of the American foxhound! Unlike in Washington’s time, no foxes will be hurt during this demonstration. A bag containing animal scent will be taken on a course and when one hound picks up the scent, the hunt is on. Observe a cavalry demonstration before meeting the breeds that Washington loved so much. Learn about the role these animals played in the American Revolution and even meet Nelson, a horse similar to Washington’s beloved warhorse. Included in admission.
