Spring Events in Alexandria: Cherry Blossoms, Gardens, Art, and More
ALEXANDRIA, VA-Earlier today, Visit Alexandria released information about upcoming spring events in town. The weather is getting warmer, which will bring great opportunities to spend time outdoors. Everyone is welcome to enjoy these physically-distanced and virtual events.
Featured Spring Events
Groundswell Temporary Public Art Installation at Waterfront Park
Late March to November 2021
Admission: Free
Waterfront Park, 1 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314
alexandriava.gov/publicart
Groundswell, the 2021 temporary public art installation from Brooklyn-based artist Mark Reigelman, will be on display at Waterfront Park in Old Town Alexandria in late March to November 2021 as the third installation in the City of Alexandria’s “Site See: New Views in Old Town” annual public art series. Groundswell brings an element of play to Alexandria’s changing shoreline with a ground mural depicting the floor of the Potomac River and more than 100 wood pilings topped with etched blue mirrors that shimmer like water. The installation was inspired by Alexandria’s history going back to the 18th century when drastic measures began to manipulate the city’s shoreline. Thousands of wood pilings were driven further into the Potomac River over time, thereby shifting the city’s waterfront over decades. This allowed Alexandria to develop and grow its sprawling dock into a major commercial port.
AIA Northern Virginia Architecture Month
April 1 to 30, 2021
Admission: Free for most events
Virtual
aianova.org
Celebrate Architecture Month with AIA Northern Virginia through a series of programs that educate, engage and connect us to the built environment and the profession of architecture. This year’s events will be largely in a virtual format and offered online to allow you to participate without leaving home. Event themes range from lectures on architecture and design to creative building activities for children and families. Most events will also be offered free of charge. AIA Northern Virginia also joins AIA chapters across the state this year to offer a combined program and a wide range of opportunities.
The Late Shift Online: Cherry Blossom Jubilee by the Torpedo Factory Art Center
April 9, 2021, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Virtual
703-746-4590
Torpedo Factory Art Center welcomes the start of spring with The Late Shift Online: Cherry Blossom Jubilee. This family-friendly celebration is a free virtual satellite event for D.C.’s National Cherry Blossom Festival. The program will be live on the Art Center’s Facebook page and archived on YouTube.
88th Annual Old Town Alexandria Historic Homes & Garden Tour
April 17, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: $25 advance-only ticket includes map of the self-guided Old Town Alexandria tour and admission to the grounds of George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314
VAgardenweek.org
Part of Historic Garden Week in Virginia, this year’s new self-guided tour format will take you along historic tree-lined streets of Old Town Alexandria to explore garden installations and a plant sale at three designated tour hubs which anchor a trail of gorgeously decorated flower boxes, doors and gates adding a colorful spring flourish to Old Town’s iconic homes. The $25 advance-only ticket includes a map of the self-guided Old Town Alexandria tour and admission to the grounds of George Washington’s Mount Vernon from April 17 to 24, with proceeds benefiting the Garden Club of Virginia’s historic restoration projects. Face masks and social distancing are required.
More Spring Events & Tours
“Line by Line” Exhibit at The Art League
March 10 to April 4, 2021
Admission: Free
The Art League Gallery, Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-683-2323
theartleague.org
In this spring’s exhibit from The Art Gallery, all of the artwork is a visual response to or interpretation of a work of poetry. The juror for this show is Jordann Wine, a D.C.-based muralist and painter.
Alexandria Stylebook’s Powered by Woman Festival
March 19 to 28, 2021
Admission: Free
Various locations throughout Alexandria, VA
alexandriastylebook.com
The talented women-owned businesses behind Alexandria Stylebook are uniting this March during Women’s History Month to celebrate female business leaders in Alexandria. Join us from March 19 to 28 as we illuminate and uplift through unique virtual workshops and classes, thematic menus and product offerings and spotlights on Alexandria’s powerhouse of female entrepreneurs. Download a passport here and get a stamp from each business you support. Support ten participating businesses ang tag @alexandriastylebook to be eligible for a free tote bag filled with goodies. Sign up for your daily dose of fashion, food, fitness and more at alexandriastylebook.com.
Office of Historic Alexandria Lecture Series: “A White Historian Reads Black History,” with Susan Strasser
March 20, April 24, May 15 and June 12, 2021, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Admission: Free; registration required
Virtual
alexandriava.gov/historic
Historian Susan Strasser brings her early years as a civil rights activist and experience as an American history professor to her lecture series, “A White Historian Confronts American Slavery.” Strasser is an award-winning historian and a distinguished lecturer for the Organization of American Historians. She has been praised by The New Yorker for “retrieving what history discards: The taken-for-granted minutiae of everyday life.” This four-part series is sponsored by the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project.
Cherry Blossom Celebration at Captain Gregory’s
March 26, 2021, from 5 to 10 p.m.; rain date March 27, 2021
Reservations required
Captain Gregory’s, 804 N Henry St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-577-9023
captaingregorys.com
Captain Gregory’s will host an outdoor patio celebration of the cherry blossoms in partnership with Beam Suntory. Enjoy a mobile highball cart, themed décor and more. Savor Captain Gregory’s “Winter in Tokyo” menu in-person or celebrate the Japanese blossoms at home with takeout. The menu includes a selection of Japanese spirits such as Suntory whiskey, Roku gin, Haku vodka, sake, yuzu and other Japanese staples like sochu, alongside savory dishes such as edamame and crab hushpuppies. Cocktails to-go are available from sister shop Elizabeth’s Counter’s grocery section.
Easter Egg Hunt at Lee-Fendall House
March 27 and April 3, 2021; sessions offered at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Admission: $15 for participating children ages 2 to 12; $5 for accompanying adults; free for infants under 2
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-1789
leefendallhouse.org
Find Easter eggs hidden in the Lee-Fendall garden on this socially distant take on their popular annual egg hunt. Sessions are offered on the hour March 27 and April 3, 2021, beginning at 11 a.m. with the last one starting at 3 p.m. Attendance will be limited to enforce social distancing. Face masks are required. Advance reservations only. Bring your own basket.
Cherry Blossom Exhibition at the Torpedo Factory Art Center
March 31 to May 2, 2021; Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-746-4590
Art lovers are encouraged to stop by the Torpedo Factory Art Center throughout April to view floral art displayed on all three floors. Participating artists will display their most colorful spring and cherry-blossom-inspired works in their studios from Wednesday, March 31, until Sunday, May 2. Torpedo Factory Art Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those who wish to visit are asked to adhere to current Virginia Safer at Home guidelines, including maintaining a social distance with people from different households, wearing face coverings indoors and frequent handwashing for 20 seconds or use of hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
First Thursday in Del Ray: Petal Porch Party
April 1, 2021, 6 p.m.
Various locations in Del Ray in Alexandria, VA 22301
First Thursday in Del Ray launches on Thursday, April 1, with the theme Petal Porch Party. Del Ray will be part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Petal Porch Parade. Neighborhood porches, yards, sidewalks and windows will be decorated in a Cherry Blossom theme, with registered Del Ray homes competing for a prize from the Del Ray Business Association. Order dinner and drinks for carryout from one of Del Ray’s local restaurants, stroll the neighborhood and have dinner on your front porch, front steps or front yard. Held the first Thursday from April to September along Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, First Thursday is a series of free outdoor street festivals that bring the community together around a fun theme, benefiting a local nonprofit.
Easter Egg Hunt With Old Town Boutique District
April 3, 2021
Admission: Free
Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314
oldtownboutiquedistrict.com
Participate in a COVID-conscious edition of the Old Town Boutique’s District annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 3. Participants must collect six easter eggs from Old Town Boutique’s District shops that can be turned into Monday’s Child or 529 Kids Consign by 5 p.m. that same day to receive a sweet treat. No purchase necessary.
Cherry Blossom Shop & Sip with the Old Town Boutique District
April 10, 2021
Admission: $10 per ticket
Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314
oldtownboutiquedistrict.com
Join the Old Town Boutique District on Saturday, April 10, for their annual Cherry Blossom Shop & Sip. Participants will be able to purchase an Eventbrite ticket for $10, which will grant you access to 10% off at all Old Town Boutique District stores. Shop ‘till you drop, then head to Fontaine for a complimentary cherry blossom-themed cocktail or mocktail.
Alexandria Wedding Showcase
April 17 to 24, 2021
Admission: Free
Virtual and various locations throughout Alexandria, VA
alexandriaweddingshowcase.com
This year, those planning a wedding can enjoy a hybrid format of the Alexandria Wedding Showcase. Couples will be able to access a fun Alexandria Wedding Showcase mobile microsite that will include a directory of businesses, venues and services, guiding them from place to place starting on April 17 and continuing through that entire week. For those who want to stay virtual, each participating wedding company will have an option for a virtual tour, video or scheduled appointment. As they visit (in person or online) each venue and talk to wedding service providers, they will “check in” with the business. Couples that visit with at least five businesses during the week will be entered to win a grand prize staycation. More information will be available in the coming weeks at alexandriaweddingshowcase.com.
King & Rye’s Cocktail Garden
April 21 through summer 2021
King & Rye, 480 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-842-2761
kingandrye.com
King & Rye is excited to announce the next pop-up in its series of seasonal experiences located in its expansive courtyard. Following on the heels of the Winter Wonderland Igloos and Spring Greenhouses, the new Cocktail Garden will open April 21, lasting through the summer months. Make a reservation for yourself and members of your pod at this redesigned space featuring lounge areas, intimate dining spaces, fire pits and—of course—a special menu of stellar seasonal cocktails to explore. The cocktail program, curated by General Manager and Executive Bourbon Steward Allison Strunk, is an addition to the already-robust cocktail experience at King & Rye, with a focus on a variety of spirits and fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs. Chef Peter McCall has curated a Southern-inspired menu for the garden, made from scratch with the highest-quality regional ingredients ideal to share and enjoy al fresco. King & Rye continues to adhere to the strictest COVID safety standards to keep its guests and staff healthy.
Taste of Old Town North
April 21 to June 21, 2021
Admission: $10 for a passport
Various locations throughout Old Town North, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-8066
oldtownnorth.org
Enjoy a two-month stroll through the neighborhood with this year’s reimagined Taste of Old Town North. Passport holders will be able to use their Passport to receive discounts at small businesses throughout Old Town North: The Arts and Cultural District, Parker-Gray and Braddock Road West. Passport sales will begin Sunday, March 21. Passports may only be used once at each participating business; if 75% of a Passport has been used by June 21, the Passport holder will be entered into a drawing to receive prizes. Passports may be purchased online at oldtownnorth.org or at the Community Table at the Old Town North Thursday Farmer’s Market. Proceeds will support the work of the Old Town North Community Partnership and ALIVE-inc.org.
Historic Gardens at Historic Sites Lecture from Carlyle House
April 22, 2021, at 7 p.m.
Admission: $5 per Zoom link; additional $30 per tea box
Virtual
703-549-2997
novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park
April is Virginia Garden month. Many historic house museums have recreated gardens on their grounds. How do sites choose what is appropriate for these gardens? Join Dean Norton, director of Horticulture at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, for a virtual presentation about historic house gardens. For a bonus, Carlyle House is partnering with both The Spice & Tea Exchange and Firehook Bakery in Alexandria to offer a tea box to-go. Enjoy a delicious blend of tea and some tasty treats while listening to the lecture. Tea boxes can be picked up at Carlyle House the day of the program between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. or be delivered with contactless drop-off up to two miles from Carlyle House. Stay tuned for tickets to go on sale online.
Cocktail Week with Old Town Business Association
April 30 to May 9, 2021
Admission: Varies by event
Virtual and various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314
oldtownbusiness.org
From April 30 to May 9, Old Town Business Association will host Cocktail Week with craft cocktails to-go and more happenings.
Revolutionary War Weekend at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
May 1 to 2, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Included with general admission ($28 for adults; $15 for youth ages 6 to 11; free for children); free for members
George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, VA 22121
703-780-2000
mountvernon.org
Mount Vernon’s serene 12-acre field transforms into a battleground as hundreds of Continentals, Redcoats and Hessians conduct military drills, perform cavalry demonstrations and engage in 18th-century battle reenactments. Wander through the encampment and meet the soldiers, discuss military techniques and meet General Washington.
