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Taste of Scotland Returns to Alexandria Dec. 4
Alexandria, VA — Scotch and Scottish holiday traditions return Friday, December 4, when the Taste of Scotland comes to ALX Community Penthouse and Atrium Gallery, 277 S. Washington St.
The event is part of Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend. The tasting runs from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Sponsors are invited to a rooftop reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m., featuring whisky, hors d’oeuvres, live music and views of Old Town, according to the Campagna Center.
Guests can sample at least 30 kinds of Scotch and other whiskies. Whisky experts will be on hand to discuss the selections.
The center’s 2025 event listing included single malts from Ardbeg, Balvenie, Glenfiddich, Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Macallan, along with American bourbon and rye. This year’s lineup has not been announced.
The evening also includes games, beer, wine and nonalcoholic drinks. Plaid is encouraged, and Scottie, the weekend’s official mascot, will be part of the event.
Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend events placed second among Northern Virginia’s annual charity events in Virginia Living’s 2026 Best of Virginia awards.
Proceeds support the center’s programs for children, teens and adults in Alexandria, which serve about 2,000 people each year. Last year’s event drew more than 350 guests and raised more than $175,000.
Tammy Mann, then the center’s CEO, told The Zebra in 2024 that proceeds help fund educational programs for children and support for adults, including English-language learners in the New Neighbors program.
The Christmas Walk began as a community event supporting the center, then known as the Community Y. It took on a Scottish theme in 1970.
The following year, the Y joined with the St. Andrew’s Society to celebrate Alexandria’s Scottish heritage and namesake, John Alexander. The center identifies the 2025 celebration as the 54th annual weekend.
The Walk is also among five statewide events documented in the Library of Congress Bicentennial Local Legacies Project, according to the center.
The Scottish Holiday Walk Parade follows Saturday, December 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Old Town. The City of Alexandria is leading it this year, with support from the Campagna Center and Visit Alexandria.
The route has not been announced, and admission is free. Dockside festivities for the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights run from 2 to 8 p.m.; the boat parade begins at 5:30 p.m.
The tasting is for guests 21 and older. Host packages start at $250: Yuletide includes one tasting ticket, Jingle Bell includes two, and Tis the Season includes four tasting tickets and two tickets to the Dignitaries Breakfast.
Sponsorships start at $2,500 and include a waived parade-walker fee. Host tickets do not include the fee, though spots to walk with the center may be available.
Parking may be limited, so organizers recommend a taxi, rideshare or public transportation.
Author’s Note: I attended the Taste of Scotland years ago. It was bitterly cold outside, but the festive crowd’s charm and unmistakable Alexandria personality made the evening feel warm.
My mother was a Campbell, so I have some Scottish ancestry running through my veins, too.
Event and sponsorship information:
Parade information:
The Zebra’s 2024 story with Tammy Mann’s comments:
