53rd Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade Sponsored by Wegmans
Part of Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend
December 7, 2024
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 on Saturday, December 7, 2024. 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 program here.
View the mile-long parade route and road closure info.
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
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.
2024 Grand Marshal: Mayor Justin Wilson
This year’s Grand Marshal is the Hon. Justin Wilson, the City of Alexandria’s outgoing Mayor. Justin Wilson has been the Mayor of Alexandria since 2018, re-elected in 2021, with a focus on improving education, infrastructure, and the City’s long-term finances. He represents Alexandria on regional boards and leads several City committees aimed at improving quality of life and services. Before becoming Mayor, he served on City Council for eight years, including as Vice Mayor. Mayor Wilson works as a Senior Director at Amtrak and lives in the Del Ray neighborhood with his family. He is also an avid runner, having completed eight marathons.
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 current President of the Scottish American Women’s Society of Washington, D.C., an organization designed to educate its members and the public about Scottish and Scottish-American history, culture, and traditions and to celebrate the contributions of Scots and Scottish-Americans in the United States, with a focus on women’s contributions. She is also on the board of the Association of Scottish Games and Festivals and the Virginia Scottish Games Association. The Mid-Atlantic Scottish Athletics Group has been Haddock’s home for almost 22 years, as she also participates in the Scottish World as a heavy athletics thrower. At the Virginia Scottish Games, she won the Eternal Warrior and Liesel Awards for the Open Women’s Class. Outside of the Scottish Community, Haddock works at a non-profit for the blind as a government procurement and compliance executive as has been in that field for more than 17 years.
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. This year’s bands will include the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums, Kiltie Band of York and more.
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.
Following Scottish Walk, join us at Waterfront Park starting at 2 p.m. for dockside festivities with local food and beverage vendors, activities and more in preparation for the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Sponsored by Amazon, or make reservations at local restaurants to guarantee you’ll be seated during a very busy day.
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.
Road Closures: In order to safely produce the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, road closures, reserved parking and no parking zones will be in effect on Saturday, December 7. Learn more here.
Taste of Scotland sponsored by Passport Auto: The Campagna Center’s Taste of Scotland event takes place Friday, December 6 at The Atrium Building.
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 Trolley will run a modified route from the King Street Metro to the Lyceum (201 S. Washington St) and back, every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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:
