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A festive street scene shows O’Connell’s Restaurant decorated with garlands, wreaths, bows, and lights. Outdoor tables with red umbrellas line the sidewalk, and holiday decorations adorn the neighboring buildings.
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Alexandria

VA

1749

Holidays in Alexandria, VA

Alexandria, Virginia is where you’re merry-meant to be this holiday season

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On the Potomac River waterfront minutes from Washington, D.C., Alexandria twinkles with holiday traditions and festive events.

Named the “Perfect Town for a Hallmark Christmas Movie” by Southern Living and one of the top “Cities That Go All Out for Christmas” by Condé Nast Traveler, Alexandria will bring your Hallmark Christmas movie dreams to life. Stroll along centuries-old brick-lined streets in Old Town Alexandria, a nationally designated historic district reminiscent of a European Christmas village.

Duck into cozy restaurants decked out for the holidays throughout Alexandria’s neighborhoods and shop small at more than 100 independent boutiques that provide personalized service and curated gift selections. Take advantage of low rates and holiday offers at Alexandria hotels so that you don’t miss any of the festive events taking place this season.

 

Holiday Traditions and Festive Happenings

Top Things to Do This Holiday Season in Alexandria, VA 2025

A trio of images depicting things to do during the 2025 holiday season in Alexandria, VA: a woman looking through a shop window, a Scottish Christmas parade and a family strolling through Old Town.

Shopping

Two women with shopping bags walk past a storefront decorated with festive holiday wreaths, red bows, and greenery on a brick sidewalk in a charming downtown area.

Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend

A man dressed as Santa Claus plays bagpipes while sitting in a red convertible decorated with tinsel during a parade. Onlookers stand on the sidewalk in front of houses adorned with flags.

Restaurants

Four friends sit inside a clear dome decorated with string lights, bundled in coats and hats, smiling and clinking glasses over a table with snacks on a cozy outdoor patio.

Alexandria Hotels

A brick building entrance decorated with holiday garlands and wreaths with red bows. There’s a white door, curved double staircase, a small fountain in front, and a sign that reads “Autograph Collection.”.

Holiday Markets in Alexandria

Two women smiling and standing close together at an outdoor market, with festive decorations, vendor tents, and people in the background. One wears a red coat and holds a coffee cup; the other wears a light gray coat.

Holiday Events

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DATES:
11/17/2025AND01/05/2026
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Merry Me in Alexandria

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Find out if Emma is destined to discover her true love amidst Alexandria’s holiday magic…

Holiday Hotel Packages

Hotel AKA Alexandria: Seasonal Spark

625 First Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314
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Christmas tree at Market Square in Alexandria, VA.

Spirits of the Season Package at Morrison House

116 S. Alfred Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314
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Four friends sit inside a clear dome decorated with string lights, bundled in coats and hats, smiling and clinking glasses over a table with snacks on a cozy outdoor patio.

Winter Wonderland Igloos at King & Rye

480 King Street Alexandria, Virginia
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Holiday Accolades

Pedestrian street at dusk with people walking, families with children, outdoor cafes, market stalls, and holiday lights on trees and buildings. The atmosphere is lively and festive.

Best Places to Travel in December

Good Housekeeping named Alexandria, VA, one of the best places to travel in December 2024 to enjoy the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, Holiday Boat Parade of Lights and other events filled with holiday magic.

Good Housekeeping

A cozy street scene at dusk shows shops decorated with holiday lights and garlands. A Christmas tree and festive window display are visible, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Brick sidewalks and bare trees line the street.

Sparkling with Christmas Charm

Read Southern Living’s ode to Alexandria’s historic streets, small businesses and seasonal spirit.

Southern Living

A couple walks on a brick sidewalk past festive holiday decorations and shop windows. The man holds a coffee cup and the woman carries shopping bags. Greenery with red ribbons decorates the storefronts.

Quaintest Christmas Village

Fodor’s Travel invites you to enjoy holiday highlights like Market Square 40-foot tree adorned with nearly 40,000 twinkling lights.

Fodor’s Travel

A large Christmas tree covered in yellow lights stands in a town square at dusk, surrounded by people walking, with historic buildings and bare trees decorated with string lights in the background.

A Magical Christmas Town

Find out why Oprah Daily named Alexandria one of the “Most Magical Christmas Towns Across the World” in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Oprah Daily

Plan Your Trip

Two women with shopping bags walk past a storefront decorated with festive holiday wreaths, red bows, and greenery on a brick sidewalk in a charming downtown area.
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Four friends sit inside a clear dome decorated with string lights, bundled in coats and hats, smiling and clinking glasses over a table with snacks on a cozy outdoor patio.
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A brick building entrance decorated with holiday garlands and wreaths with red bows. There’s a white door, curved double staircase, a small fountain in front, and a sign that reads “Autograph Collection.”.
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Train station
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Explore Alexandria’s Neighborhoods

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Here in Alexandria, every neighborhood draws you in and invites you to linger just a little longer—from the waterfront to the West End and everywhere in between.

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