EST
Alexandria

VA

1749

Summer in Alexandria, VA

Several visitors stroll along the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria, VA.
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Your Alexandria story is waiting, and summer is a great time to start writing it. Just minutes from Washington, D.C., Alexandria’s waterfront, neighborhoods and independent dining scene are in full swing.

Summer in Alexandria is full of events and festivals worth planning around. Alexandria Restaurant Week brings exclusive, chef-driven menus to tables across the city, while the Alexandria Sidewalk Sale spills the city’s independent boutiques out onto the streets for one of the region’s most beloved seasonal shopping events. Add in excellent seasonal hotel rates and you have every reason to stay a little longer and explore a little further. Voted a Travel + Leisure Top 10 Best City in the U.S. 2026 and a Condé Nast Traveler Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2025, Alexandria is a welcoming escape with a story only you can unlock.

A young girl and an older woman admiring a tall, colorful glass sculpture inside the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day and beyond, endless stories are just waiting to be explored through countless events in Alexandria that showcase our diverse community. During your stay, explore art and cultural hotspots, celebrate Pride Month at places like Alexandria’s rainbow crosswalk, and explore the city like the Fab Five.

Explore Alexandria’s Black history and culture, and dive into Juneteenth festivities. Support local businesses through the Alexandria Sidewalk Sale, and explore international flavors at our city’s global dining spots during Alexandria Restaurant Week.

An aerial shot showcases the Alexandria waterfront with boats docked in the harbor.

Stay by Alexandria’s waterfront and enjoy historic events, tours and other family activities during Alexandria’s America 250 commemorations.

Then venture beyond the waterfront to discover the neighborhoods, dining experiences and independent spirit that make Alexandria unlike anywhere else. Whether you’re exploring global flavors in the West End, viewing murals in Arlandria-Chirilagua, grabbing a scoop in Del Ray or browsing boutiques along King Street, there’s always another story waiting to be unlocked just around the corner.

Explore Alexandria in the Summer

Top Things to Do This Summer in Alexandria

Two people sit at an outdoor table by the water, smiling and enjoying food and drinks. The weather is sunny with a blue sky and scattered clouds. Plates of food and beverages are on the table in front of them.

Alexandria Restaurant Week

A table full of food at Royal Nepal restaurant in Alexandria, VA.

Experience the Alexandria Waterfront

The Alexandria Waterfront At Dusk

Alexandria Sidewalk Sale

An older woman shops at an outdoor sidewalk sale, holding a shopping bag and looking at clothes on a rack marked “SALE $10.” Shoes and accessories are displayed nearby, with balloons and stores visible in the background.

Outdoor Dining in Alexandria

A collage shows people walking past shops, friends clinking drinks at an outdoor restaurant by the water, and groups enjoying vibrant outdoor dining at colorful tables on a brick sidewalk in a lively town.

48 Hours in Old Town Alexandria

A couple holding hands walks on a brick sidewalk past historic row houses with blue shutters and American flags hanging outside, on a sunny day with greenery around.

Alexandria Tours

A group of five people walk through a brick gate with a tour guide in a white shirt at the entrance of Carlyle House, surrounded by trees and historical signage.

Black History & Culture

A bronze statue of two women in 19th-century clothing stands hand in hand, set outdoors with greenery, a modern building, and a blue sky with clouds in the background.

Global Cuisine in Alexandria, VA

A top-down view of a wooden table filled with assorted Thai dishes, including salads, fried rice, grilled meat skewers, noodles, fried chicken cutlets with sauces, fresh vegetables, and colorful drinks.

Summer Events

Explore 2026 summer events in Alexandria, VA.

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DATES:
05/01/2026AND09/07/2026
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Top 18 Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria

Spite House in Old Town Alexandria

Historic Attractions and Museums

Carlyle House

If These Walls Could Talk

Waiter serving a couple at Josephine Brasserie & Bar in Alexandria.

LGBTQ+-Friendly Alexandria

Two young men are smiling and holding hands while walking outside under a canopy structure at sunset. They appear happy and relaxed, dressed casually in shorts and shirts. Empty chairs and tables are visible in the background.

Alexandria Neighborhoods Guide

The Ultimate King Street Shopping Guide for Old Town Alexandria

Three women smile while shopping during the holiday season in Old Town Alexandria.

Unlock Her Story: A Women’s History Walking Tour of Alexandria

Two women carrying shopping bags walk along the Alexandria waterfront path next to a building.

Sweets Spots for Alexandria Treats

A hand holds a red cup of purple gelato with a red spoon, showcasing delectable sweets in front of a Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato shop sign outside, with part of a red building visible.

Guide to Queer Eye in Alexandria

The cast of Queer Eye walking across a rainbow crosswalk in Alexandria, VA.

Plan Your Visit

Plan

Two women stroll and enjoy sweets outside “Pop’s Ice Cream Company” on a sunny brick-lined street, while two people exit the shop and others relax on benches nearby. Trees and a river can be seen in the background.

Alexandria Hotels

Getting To & Around Alexandria

Train station

Parking

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#visitALX

Photos submitted by Alexandria visitors like you.