Books, Art and Handmade Finds Take Over Old Town at Alexandria Book & Craft Festival

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Book lovers and art lovers won’t have to choose between the two when the second annual Alexandria Book & Craft Festival returns to Old Town on Sunday, Oct. 11.

The free outdoor festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the plaza behind 415 King St., bringing authors and artists together in the heart of Alexandria’s historic district.

Organized by Elaine’s Literary Salon and Made in ALX, the festival gives visitors a chance to meet writers, discover books, browse locally made art and handmade goods, and get a jump on holiday shopping. Elaine’s restaurant will also offer food for sale during the event.

And this year’s festival appears to be growing. Organizers have already closed the call for participating authors, although a limited number of spaces remain available for artists.

Where Writers and Makers Meet

The partnership is a natural fit for two Alexandria organizations built around creative work.

Elaine’s Literary Salon, based at Elaine’s restaurant at 208 Queen St., regularly hosts writers for interviews, readings, workshops and other literary events. The restaurant occupies an 1880s Old Town building and serves modern Mediterranean cuisine inspired by owner Cynthia Higgins’ Egyptian heritage.

Made in ALX, meanwhile, operates its marketplace at 415 King St. and showcases work created by Alexandria-area artists and makers. The organization began in 2020 as a way to help local artists during the pandemic, eventually growing from an online marketplace into pop-ups and then a permanent Old Town shop.

Put the two together and the festival becomes something of a one-day Alexandria creative marketplace: books on one table, locally made art and crafts on another.

A Second Year in Old Town

This is the second year for the Alexandria Book & Craft Festival.

The location also makes it easy to turn the festival into an Old Town day out. The plaza is along King Street, within walking distance of the waterfront, Torpedo Factory Art Center, restaurants and shops.

For shoppers already thinking about the holidays, the festival offers another advantage: purchases can directly support independent writers and local makers instead of disappearing into an online shopping cart.

And for readers, there is something particularly appealing about buying a book directly from the person who wrote it.

IF YOU GO

Questions about the festival may be directed to Jeffrey Higgins at [email protected].