54th Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade Sponsored by Wegmans
Part of Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend
December 6, 2025
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Old Town Alexandria
Alexandria was founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants and was named after Scotsman John Alexander who owned the land that became Alexandria. Today, the city continues celebrating its heritage with the iconic Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade sponsored by Wegmans on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands, as well as terriers and hounds, community groups and more.
View parade route and road closure info.
View the Digital Parade Program
The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade started as a community event more than 50 years ago to highlight the city’s Scottish heritage and support the mission of the Campagna Center, then known as the Community Y. The Campagna Center partnered with St. Andrew’s Society Washington, DC, Old Presbyterian Meeting House and the City of Alexandria to produce the parade and associated events led by Junior and Supporting Friends of the Campagna Center.
In 2022, to preserve the historic signature event that is a source of civic pride and a key economic driver for the city’s small business and hospitality communities, Visit Alexandria took on the role of lead parade producer in partnership with the Campagna Center and the City of Alexandria.
Parade Day Status & Updates
Both parades will take place rain or shine. Stay tuned for day-of announcements here. To sign up for text alerts, text “ALXEVENTS” to 888777.
Update 12/4: Dress warmly for a cold parade day. If needed, members of the public can warm up on a heated DASH bus stationed near 421 King Street between 9 a.m. until approximately 1:30 p.m. and at Waterfront Park, 2 King Street, from about 1:30 to 8 p.m.
Your Guide to Holiday Parade Day in Alexandria 2025
With two iconic parades on Saturday, December 6, there’s no better day to experience all of Alexandria’s holiday magic. Here’s our guide on how to get into town, where to eat and what to see while you’re here.
2025 Grand Marshal: Mayor Alyia Gaskins
This year’s Grand Marshal is Mayor of Alexandria Alyia Gaskins.
Alyia Gaskins, a tenacious fighter for families, communities, and health equity, is the first African American woman to serve as the Mayor of Alexandria. She was elected in 2024 and is dedicated to building a healthier, more prosperous Alexandria for all.
The same issues that motivate Alyia as an elected official—health, housing, education, public safety, and the economic, social, and physical vitality of cities— have motivated her professional career as a public health strategist and city planner. She has worked on hunger policy at D.C. Hunger Solutions and health issues at the National League of Cities, managed an affordable housing investment program at the Center for Community Investment, and was most recently a Senior Program Officer at the Melville Charitable Trust, a national philanthropic organization devoted to ending homelessness.
Alyia lives on the West End with her husband, son, daughter, and beagle.
Masters of Ceremonies: Julie Carey and Heather Haddock
This year’s Masters of Ceremonies are Julie Carey and Heather Haddock.
Julie Carey is the Northern Virginia bureau chief for NBC4. She’s been covering Northern Virginia and Virginia politics, courts, crime, growth, education and government policy since she arrived in Alexandria in 1992. She and her husband, Mike Tackett, live in the Beverley Hills neighborhood, and their adult children are proud graduates of the Alexandria City Public Schools.
Heather Haddock is the past President of the Scottish American Women’s Society of Washington, D.C., an organization dedicated to educating its members and the public about Scottish and Scottish-American history, culture, and traditions—particularly highlighting the contributions of women.
She also serves as Vice President of the Virginia Scottish Games Association and has been active in the Mid-Atlantic Scottish Athletics Group for over 23 years. A dedicated participant in the Scottish heavy athletics scene, Haddock has competed extensively and was honored with both the Eternal Warrior and Liesel Awards in the Open Women’s Class at the Virginia Scottish Games.
Beyond her involvement in the Scottish community, Haddock works as a government procurement and compliance executive at a non-profit organization serving the blind. She has built a nearly 20-year career in this field.
Massed Band Performance
After the last parade unit has finished the parade route, participating pipe bands will reassemble at Market Square to play a few tunes as part of a massed band concert.
Scottish North American Community Conference
Scottish North American Community Conference
Happening the day before the parade, join the Scottish North American Community Conference at The Lyceum in Alexandria on December 5th. The Conference brings together Scottish American Community Leaders to discuss the challenges and best practices for strengthening the wider Scottish community.
FAQs
Admission: The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade is free and open to the public. No tickets are required to attend.
Viewing Areas: Enjoy the parade from anywhere along the mile-long route through Old Town. If watching Scottish Walk by Market Square, please do not climb on trees, planters, or walls.
Seating: While we have no reserved seating areas, attendees are welcome to bring a pop-up chair. However, we ask that you don’t block sidewalks, streets or residences.
Food: We encourage attendees to pick up a snack or shop small at one of the many local businesses in Old Town Alexandria.
For a quick grab-and-go option, pick up a fresh pastry and hot drink to-go from the Old Town Farmers’ Market, located steps from the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and open from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Select vendors will stay after the parade ends and into the afternoon.
Participants: The Scottish Walk features elements that celebrate Scottish, holiday and other creative themes in addition to a wide array of organizations and groups representing Alexandria’s community. The content of the parade is curated and selected in advance by parade organizers. Many have participated in this event for decades and others are participating for the first time.
All Scottish Walk participants are required to take part in an official application and registration process in advance of the event. Same-day registration is not permitted. No walk-up or drive-up participation is allowed.
Dogs: We anticipate a high volume of attendees at this event and dogs that are official participants of the Scottish Walk. While we love furry friends, they may be more comfortable at home. Service animals allowed. If you must bring your dog, please no retractable leashes.
Restrooms: Several portable toilets, including 1 ADA unit, will be available near Market Square on N. Royal Street. There are also public restrooms at the Alexandria Visitor Center located at the corner of Fairfax and King Streets. Part of the parade route is close to Old Town’s commercial corridor on King Street.
Photography/Videography: Photographers will be present to capture images to be used in future promotional use. By attending the parade you are granting permission for your photo to be captured. Personal photography is allowed, but please stay out of the way of the parade participants.
Neighborhood Impact/Safety: Please be mindful of people around you and know that a significant portion of the route passes residential areas. Please dispose of trash properly and spread out along the route. Help us ensure that sidewalks remain accessible and passable. Please do not cross the parade route in front of vehicles and keep a close eye on children and dogs.
A Taste of Scotland with Laphroaig
Laphroaig has partnered with 18 local restaurants and bars to offer bespoke whisky cocktails in celebration this year’s parade.
The Friends of Laphroaig will also be donning their kilts and marching in the parade, followed by celebrations at local establishments.
Transportation
Based on anticipated attendance, the use of public transportation and alternative modes of transportation are highly encouraged. See the list below to consider your options and plan your trip.
Metro: The parade is accessible via Metrorail (blue and yellow lines) from the King Street station.
Water Taxi: For information on pricing and schedules, click here.
Capital Bikeshare: There are several dock stations within Old Town and in Old Town North near the Mount Vernon Trail and Oronoco Bay Park. For more information, please visit capitalbikeshare.com.
Dockless Mobility: There are various dockless mobility devices throughout Old Town including e-scooters and e-bikes. Please note there is no riding on sidewalks per City code or along the expanded King Street pedestrian zone from the 200 block of King Street to the waterfront. When possible, please park in a scooter corral or bike rack so as not to block the sidewalk.
DASH Bus: The DASH bus is free. DASH buses run as early as 6 a.m. and as late as midnight on both Friday and Saturday.
King Street Trolley: The free King Street Trolleywill run a modified route from the King St./Old Town Metro Station to the Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.) and back, every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. the Trolley will run it’s typical route between the Metro and City Hall at 301 King Street.
Taxi: The following companies currently operate within the City of Alexandria:
- GoGreen Cab: 703.212.2000, gogreentaxicab.com
- King Cab: 703.549.3530, kingcabcompany.com
- Union Cab: 703.683.1200
- VIP Cab: 703.333.5800, viptaxiva.wordpress.com
- White Top Cab: 703.683.4004
- Yellow Cab: 703.549.2500, alexandriayellowcab.com
Parking: Please consider all travel options as parking availability is limited on weekends. Find a map of garages on the City of Alexandria’s parking page.
The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade is produced by
With special thanks to our sponsors and partners:
