ALEXANDRIA, VA-This holiday season, Alexandria twinkles with cherished traditions and festive events including signature parades, open-air winter markets, immersive lights experiences, waterfront fireworks and more throughout the city’s neighborhoods.
Learn about the city’s top seasonal events below and find additional holiday happenings at VisitAlexandria.com/Holidays.
Holiday Parade Day
Don’t miss Alexandria’s two signature holiday parades on Saturday, December 7, 2024, starting with the 53rd Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade sponsored by Wegmans at 11 a.m. followed by the 24th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon at 5:30 p.m., with riverside festivities for the whole family starting at 2 p.m.
Winter Markets
This December, stroll through open-air winter markets complete with live music, Santa sightings, shopping and more throughout Alexandria’s neighborhoods.
New this year, be immersed in a magical new European Christmas market experience in Del Ray during the inaugural Gustave Marché de Noël Gift Market from December 13 to 15, a weekend chock-full of holiday happenings including the Old Town North Holiday Market & Farmers Market, Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show at John Carlyle Square and more.
· Holiday Lights Experiences
On December 8, take part in the Del Ray Tree & Menorah Lighting as you enjoy tunes and hot chocolate and hand-painted holiday windows along Del Ray’s storefronts.
Explore unique light displays and ice skate through a winter wonderland at Ice & Lights through January 5 with ice skating continuing through February 14.
For an enchanting evening filled with wintry lights, a winter encampment and market, and a fireworks show, head to Mount Vernon for Christmas Illuminations between December 20-22.
Seasonal Shopping
Head to the Del Ray Holiday Sip & Shop on December 12 for special promotions and complimentary wine and refreshments.
Family-Friendly Festivities
For a sight you have to see to believe, head to the waterfront between BARCA Pier and Founders Park on December 24 to witness the Waterskiing Santa Show, featuring Santa and his friends gliding along the Potomac River.
Ring in the new year with live entertainment and fireworks at the 30th annual First Night Alexandria, the region’s signature family-friendly New Year’s Eve event, on December 31.
