ALEXANDRIA, VA-Summer is closer than you think. Look at the calendar – it’s already May 1. Earlier today, Visit Alexandria released their annual announcement listing summer events in the city. And with this year being the 275th anniversary of Alexandria’s founding, special plans are ahead. Note: All event summaries written by Visit Alexandria.
Featured Events
Portside in Old Town Summer Festival
Friday, June 21, 2024, 6 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, June 22, 2024, 1 to 8 p.m.
Free Admission
Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314
PortsideFestival.com
Kick off summer with the return of the Portside in Old Town Summer Festival. This free festival features an array of live music, local craft beer from Port City Brewing Company and fun for the whole family on the Alexandria waterfront. The event includes Friday evening jazz performances and readings by Alexandria poets as part of the ALX Jazz Fest @ Portside. Saturday, the festival continues with an eclectic musical lineup, local food, hands-on art and history activities and more. New this year, as part of the City’s 275th anniversary celebrations, Port City Brewing Company will serve an original hoppy India Pale Ale called ALX275, brewed with 275 lbs. of hops.
The Portside in Old Town Summer Festival and the ALX Jazz Fest @ Portside are produced by Visit Alexandria and the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts.
Alexandria and USA Birthday Celebration
July 13, 2024, from 6 to 9:45 p.m. (Rain date: July 14, 2024)
Admission: Free
Viewing locations throughout Old Town and central location at Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St, Alexandria, VA 22314
The City of Alexandria celebrates its milestone 275th birthday and the USA’s 248th birthday on Saturday, July 13, with live music and a grand finale fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Experience special programming and activities at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Canal Center plaza and Waterfront Park among ten vantage points for fireworks viewing. Enjoy the big birthday experience including cupcakes, local vendors and live music. Plus, try Port City Brewing Company’s special edition ALX275 brew at Oronoco Bay Park.
Top Summer Events & Happenings
Port City Brewing Company’s ALX275 Kickoff & Release Party
May 9, 2024, from 3 to 9 p.m.
Admission: Free
Port City Brewing Company, 3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304
703-797-2739
Join Port City Brewing Company on May 9 to celebrate the launch of ALX275, an original craft beer brewed with 275 pounds of hops in honor of the City of Alexandria’s 275th anniversary. This commemorative brew is packed with a variety of flavors, notably cashmere, el dorado and strata hops, for a bright and bitter brew. During the release party, the brewery will have food trucks in the evening and live music from 6 to 8 p.m. The hoppy India Pale Ale will be available on draft until mid-September in the brewery Tasting Room and served at the Portside in Old Town Summer Festival (June 21 and 22), Alexandria and USA Birthday Celebration (July 13), the Port City Old Town Pub Crawl (July 20), and more special events to be announced. ALX275 16 oz. cans will be available exclusively in the brewery Tasting Room, while supplies last. Founded in 2011, award-winning Port City Brewing Company was the first production brewery to operate in Alexandria since Prohibition and is known for putting the ALE in ALExandria.
8th Annual Well Ray Festival
May 18, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission: Free
Mount Vernon and Bellefonte Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
The 8th Annual Well Ray Festival showcases the wide variety of health and wellness opportunities in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood. The outdoor event—featuring free fitness and dance classes for all ages, health demonstrations, 40+ vendors, and more—is free and open to all. For more information, including a full schedule of events and class registration information, visit wellraydelray.com.
15th Annual Taste of Del Ray
June 2, 2024, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Admission: $20 per person
Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields, 2701 Commonwealth Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
visitdelray.com
Top area restaurants are slated to participate in the 15th Annual Taste of Del Ray. The event, named one of Virginia Living Magazine‘s top food festivals in the state, will take place on Sunday, June 4 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields. Ticket holders will enjoy a wide range of tastes from top Del Ray restaurants and can cast their votes for the People’s Choice award. A VIP ticket option will also be offered, giving foodies the first bites with early admission at 12 p.m. and a wine tasting at 1 p.m. For more information and tickets, head to visitdelray.com.
Juneteenth African American History Bus Tour with Manumission Tour Company
June 15, 2024, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; June 16, 2024, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Admission: $35 per person
Meets at The Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Join Manumission Tour Company for the annual Juneteenth African American History Bus Tour. Ride along on a 90-minute bus tour to visit various historic sites that will tell the story of African Americans in early Alexandria. Some of the sites discussed on the tour include several historic African American churches in the city, including Alfred Street Baptist Church, Barrett Library, site of the 1939 Library Sit-In, Freedom House and many more.
7th Annual Official Pride Bar Crawl
June 22, 2024, from 4 p.m. to midnight
Admission: $10 per person for group purchases of 4+ tickets before May 25; $15 per person for single tickets before May 25 (prices subject to increase after May 25)
Check-in at Alexandria Bier Garden, 710 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
eventbrite.com
Dress in vibrant attire and express your true self during the 7th Annual Official Pride Bar Crawl, hosted by Crawl With Us. Check in at Alexandria Bier Garden between 4 to 6 p.m., then enjoy handpicked inclusive bars, exclusive drink specials and freebies that are available only to Pride Bar Crawl participants. 20% of the event proceeds will be donated to Safe Space NOVA.
Second Annual Best of the West by West End Business Association
July 20, 2024, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free (pre-registration recommended)
Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304
Best of the West is a community event featuring WEBA members and restaurant tastings. Get to know local business owners, enjoy live music and entertainment and try some of the best food that the West End has to offer.
Beats, Bites and Brews in Old Town Alexandria
July 27, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Free
John Carlyle Square, 300 John Carlyle St., Alexandria, VA 22314
thecarlylecommunity.com
Head to John Carlyle Square for a full day of outdoor entertainment, featuring food, music, cold beverages, shopping and more. Groove to the sounds of summer with live music performances and try a variety of summer-inspired bites from local food vendors. Enjoy craft beers and refreshing summer cocktails in our Beer Garden and explore local artisans and vendors offering a curated selection of summer goodies, from fashion finds to unique crafts.
Del Ray Bands and Brews Summer Bar Crawl
August 17, 2024, from 12:30 to 6 p.m.
Admission: $15 advance tickets; $25 day of event tickets
Various locations along Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
Join the fun and vibrant Del Ray community for a special summer event featuring live music in outdoor restaurant venues along the Avenue. The first 250 registrants will get a swag bag with a 16 oz. souvenir collector’s cup. Tickets include specials on cocktails, beer and food at each of the 15+ participating restaurants, live music at every venue, trolley transportation, 50/50 raffles, a photo booth and many more fun giveaways. Crawl participants must be 21+, but children and families are welcome at family-friendly establishments and at the main stage at Pat Miller Square. Please keep in mind that this is likely to be a high-volume event.
Around the World Cultural Food Festival
August 24, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission: Free
Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., Alexandria, VA 22314
The free Around the World Cultural Food Festival takes attendees on a day trip around the world and showcases the cuisine, culture and traditions of dozens of countries. The pet-friendly event will occur rain or shine across the expansive Oronoco Bay Park.
[RELATED NEWS: Visit Alexandria Appoints Todd O’Leary New President and CEO]
