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The 53rd Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade will take place on December 7, 2024. See details of the 2023 parade below.

Saturday, December 2, 2023

52nd Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade Sponsored by Wegmans

Part of Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend

December 2, 2023
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 2, 2023. 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.

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.

For a list of participating groups, find a digital parade program here.

 

Parade Route Map

List of Road Closures

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.

Your Guide to Holiday Parade Day in Alexandria 2023

New Featured Entertainment

Seán Heely

Champion fiddler and singer Seán Heely is a U.S National Scottish Fiddle Champion as well as an award-winning Irish Fiddler, singer and harpist in the folk and Gaelic traditions of Scotland and Ireland. Currently based in Washington, D.C., Seán performs locally and abroad with the Seán Heely Celtic Band, The Glencoe Lads and Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Orchestra. For the parade, Sean Heely will join members of the MacMillan clan and is presented by The MacMillan Spirit House.

Learn More

SHENNA

SHENNA is a singer, songwriter, actress and model who has performed in front of thousands across the United States, Japan, London and Canada. SHENNA hails from Northern Virginia and has received notable press in Rolling Stone India, The Washington Post, Nylon Magazine, Billboard and more. Hear selections from her original Christmas album, “Dear December Slow Down” during the parade.

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Master Builder Andrew Litterst

LEGO® Discovery Center Washington, D.C.’s 29th Master Builder Andrew Litterst will bring a special creation along the parade route. Litterst is responsible for designing, building, removing, installing and repairing all models at the attraction. He also gets to deliver fun, inspirational and creative workshops to guests.

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Ethiopian Community Support Center

Traditional dance, music and costumes showcasing the rich traditions of the Ethiopian community will be presented by the Ethiopian Community Support Center (ECSAC) and volunteers. The Ethiopian Community Support Center (ECSAC), organizer of the Ethiopian Fall Festival in Alexandria, is participating in the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade for the first time this year.

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2023 Grand Marshals

This year’s Grand Marshals are Congressman Don Beyer and Director of the Office of Art in Embassies at the U.S. Department of State Megan Beyer. Don is serving his fifth term as the U.S. Representative from Virginia’s 8th District and is dedicated to advocacy for Northern Virginians. Megan is an award-winning journalist, civic activist, public diplomacy leader and founder of Megan Beyer Associates. Don and Megan live in Alexandria.

Master of Ceremonies: Ian Houston

This year’s Master of Ceremonies is Ian Houston, an international non-profit leader in the Washington, D.C. area who is dedicated to promoting cultural links between Scotland and the U.S. Houston is a GlobalScot and journalist who writes a monthly column for the Herald Scotland newspaper. He serves as an honorary professor and lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland and the University of Aberdeen. He also advises and supports the Edinburgh Fringe Society, Black Professionals Scotland and Scottish Business Network and is a trustee of the Robert Burns Ellisland Museum & Farm.

Massed Band Performance

After the last parade unit has finished the parade route, participating pipe bands will reassemble at Market Square under the direction of City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums’ Drum Major Joshua Cease to play a few tunes as part of a massed band concert. The 2023 participants include: City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums, St. Andrew’s Society’s Washington Scottish Pipe Band and Kiltie Band of York.

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 1 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. Find a digital parade program here.

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 2. See a full list of closures here.

Taste of Scotland sponsored by The Goodhart Group: The Campagna Center’s Taste of Scotland event on Friday, December 1 at The Atrium Building is SOLD OUT.

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:

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 following garage in Old Town North will offer $5 parking from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

  • 44 Canal Center, courtesy of Canal Center Plaza

Photo Gallery

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Bespoke Cocktails with Laphroaig

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Laphroaig has partnered with more than 20 local restaurants and bars to celebrate Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend by featuring bespoke cocktails and whisky flights across Old Town from November 24 to December 3, 2023. The Friends of Laphroaig will be donning their kilts and marching in the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade.

Learn More

Join Friends of Laphroaig, and explore future events here.

The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade is produced by

 

With special thanks to our sponsors and partners:

Spend the Day in Alexandria

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend

Holidays in Alexandria, VA

Top 18 Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria

Scottish NA Community Conference (Dec. 1 - 2)

Parade Participation

Registration for the 2023 parade is now closed. Accepted participants can review the 2023 Participation Guidelines.

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