Parking, Route Changes & Order of March: Your Essential Guide to Saturday’s George Washington Birthday Parade
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Alexandria’s most beloved winter tradition returns this Saturday, February 14, as the George Washington Birthday Celebration Parade marches through Old Town once again.
And this isn’t just any parade.
Established in 1801, Alexandria’s George Washington Birthday Parade is widely recognized as the oldest and largest celebration of its kind in the United States — a distinction that carries special weight in the city Washington called home.
With a modified route, limited parking, and new tools to help spectators follow along, here’s everything you need to know before heading downtown.
Why Alexandria Celebrates Like No Other
While George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, he spent more than 40 years deeply connected to Alexandria. He worshipped here, conducted business here, served in civic leadership roles, and socialized in what was then a bustling port town in Fairfax County.
Each February, Alexandria honors that legacy in grand style.
The parade regularly features more than 1,000 participants, including marching bands, fife-and-drum corps, reenactors, civic organizations, and dignitaries. In strong-weather years, tens of thousands of spectators line the streets of Old Town to watch.
The celebration traditionally marches rain or shine — a testament to the city’s enduring pride in its most famous resident.
📱 Download the Order of March Before Parade Day
Want to follow the parade in real time and know exactly who’s coming next?
The official Order of March will be available for spectators to download onto their phones on February 13:
The Order of March includes each parade unit’s Division and Parade Order Number. This shows where groups line up in the Assembly Area and the exact order in which they will appear along the parade route.
If you’re hoping to catch a specific marching band, community organization, or performance group, this is your best tool for tracking the action.
🗺️ Modified Parade Route for 2026
Due to construction surrounding City Hall and Market Square, this year’s traditional Parade Route and Assembly Area have been modified.
Key locations for Saturday’s parade:
• Start Point: South St. Asaph Street & Wolfe Street
• Parade Review Stand: King Street & Pitt Street
• End Point: Duke Street & Pitt Street
The parade route will be approximately ten blocks long — shorter than the traditional route.
Maps of both the Parade Route and the Parade Assembly Area are available at www.washingtonbirthday.com.
🚗 Parking & Access: Plan Ahead
Parking within the Parade Route and Assembly Area will be extremely limited on Parade Day.
Important things to know:
• You must park in designated garages near the Assembly Area–see map for public parking areas near parade.
• You must be parked by 1:00 p.m.
• You will not be able to access your vehicle until after the parade ends
• The Market Square parking garage is closed due to ongoing construction
If a police barricade blocks access to your garage entry, you may inform officers that you are part of parade activities and promise not to access your vehicle until the parade concludes.
🚇 Metro & Public Transportation Options
Organizers strongly encourage public transportation.
Metrorail
Metrorail will operate on a Saturday schedule. Old Town Alexandria is served by:
• Braddock Road Station (Blue & Yellow Lines)
• King St–Old Town Station (Blue & Yellow Lines)
• Eisenhower Avenue Station (Yellow Line)
Visit wmata.com for schedules and maps.
King Street Trolley
The Alexandria Trolley will operate from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from:
King Street Metro (1900 King Street)
to Washington & King Streets.
DASH Bus
DASH routes #30 and #31 will run from:
King Street Metro (1900 King Street)
to Washington & King Streets.
All DASH buses are free at all times.
🌤️ Weather & Parade Cancellation Policy
The weather forecast currently looks favorable.
The George Washington Birthday Parade traditionally marches rain or shine. However, in the unlikely event of cancellation due to severe weather, organizers will notify participants by email and post updates at www.washingtonbirthday.com at least 24 hours before Parade Day.
[…] at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for a wreath-laying ceremony held just hours before the annual George Washington Birthday Parade. While anticipation for the afternoon’s festivities built across Alexandria, those assembled in […]