Top Things to Do This Fall in Alexandria, VA 2026

Immerse yourself in Alexandria’s beloved fall festivals and events. Use our guide below to mark your calendars and plan your visit.

• September 4-26—Celebrating Hispanic Heritage, Voices Through Visuals: This thought-provoking art exhibit in Del Ray is honoring Hispanic heritage by showing a diverse range of media that highlighting the narratives of Hispanic communities and embodies cultural pride.
• September 19 — 3rd Annual Chalk-A-Block: Watch talented chalk artists transform the TideLock project in Old Town North into a giant outdoor canvas at this free, family-friendly event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Live music, local makers, food and drinks from neighborhood favorites round out the afternoon. Admission is free; rain date is September 20.
• September 26-27—Annual Alexandria Art Festival: Find thousands of pieces from juried artists across all media to peruse and purchase at John Carlyle Square.
• October 3—31st Annual Art on the Avenue: Soak up the Del Ray community’s creative spirit with an artistic bonanza of some 300+ vendors along Mount Vernon Avenue.
• October 10—Grand African Run: Whether you’re chasing a personal best or simply enjoying the experience with family and friends, this 5k running event invites you to go at your own pace, welcoming participants of all ages and abilities.
• October 11—Ethiopian Fall Festival: Celebrate the expansive Ethiopian diasporic community at this all-day festival at Chinquapin Park, filled with traditional dance, local food and live music.
• October 11—Paws in the Park: Bring your-legged friends to Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s fall festival featuring local vendors, food and drink, music, adoptable dogs and more.

Taste unique local flavors across Alexandria’s dining scene this autumn. Visit local breweries and enjoy fall-themed brews from award-winning local favorites like Port City Brewing Company—featuring seasonal sips such as Oktoberfest Märzen Lager, Tidings Ale, Doppelbock, and Spite House—or explore offerings from Aslin Beer Company. Head over to Lost Boy Cider, Northern Virginia’s first urban cidery. These no-sugar-added sips tell the story of founder Tristan Wright’s journey of discovering cider in Ireland to the quest to create a modern style, handcrafted cider that was also gluten and soy-free.

Top Drinks and Dining Events This Fall

• September 11—Oktoberfest at Atlas Alexandria Brewery & Tap Room: Celebrate Oktoberfest with $5 Festbier pints and $9.99 Festbier six-packs. Guests are invited to enjoy live music from an Oompah band.
• September 17—Taste of Old Town North: The Annual Taste of Old Town North, a free, family- and pet-friendly event held in Montgomery Park, followed by a weekend of great food and drink tastings, interactive art activities, and live music.
• September 19—Alexandria Oktoberfest at John Carlyle Square: Say “Prost!” at John Carlyle Square Park alongside Bavarian bites, live music, handcrafted items by local artisans and a lively beer garden.
• October 9-11—Fall Wine Festival at George Washington’s Mount Vernon: Marvel at Potomac River views while savoring vino during Mount Vernon’s most popular annual event.
• Every Saturday—Explore one of the nation’s longest continuously operating farmers’ markets for seasonal produce and treats just steps from the city’s historic waterfront. Due to construction to market square, the Old Town farmers market is temporarily re-located to the 100 Block of N. Royal St.

Dating back to 1749, Alexandria’s history is filled with remarkable stories and mysterious legends embedded in the brick-lined streets and centuries-old sites. This spooky season, embark on a lantern-led ghost tour, hear chilling stories at historic sites and show off your costumes at Halloween events around town.

Top Halloween Events in Alexandria

• September—The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show at Sheraton Suites: This murder mystery dinner experience invites you into a night of laughter, mystery, and audience-driven intrigue. Enjoy a full dinner while a hilarious crime unfolds around you—but stay alert. The culprit is hiding in plain sight, and before the night is over, you could find yourself named a Prime Suspect.
• September 19 – November 1—Nightmare on the Avenue: Wander into the Del Ray Pop-up Bar during spooky season for a Halloween-themed takeover serving spooky foods like Zombie Brain Chunks, Scream Beans, and Spider Pretzels. Enjoy seasonal spirits and cocktails with names inspired by your favorite movies and music, such as The Blood Moon, The Wicked Flame, Life of a Show-Ghoul, Sanderson Sisters, and Here’s Johnny.
• October 10—HalloQueen Drag Brunch at King & Rye: Be thrilled by live entertainment and a luxurious meal, and unleash your inner monster, diva or mythical creature for a costume contest unlike any other.
• October 16,17,18—Sticker Treat Halloween Sticker Crawl from Penny Post: Alexandria is a Halloween hub and this year Penny Post wanted to level up the fun this spooky season! Wander into Alexandria’s most beloved businesses for unique collectible Halloween stickers from locations across Old Town.
• October 24—Old Town Trick-or-Treat: Spend the day trick or treating at some of your favorite businesses and historic attractions across Old Town Alexandria. Start your route at Pippin Toy Co. to grab your map, then follow the route to beloved spots like Pacers Running, Old Town Books, AR Workshop Alexandria, The Spice and Tea Exchange, Visit Alexandria Visitor’s Center, Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum and more!
• October 25-30—Annual Del Ray Halloween Parade: Children, pets and decorated strollers are invited to march and show off their costumes during this beloved annual parade ending with live music and an award presentation. *monitor for events calendar link*
• October 30-31—Halloween Bar Crawl at The Light Horse: Haunt the bars in Alexandria by grabbing your friends and throwing on your most hilarious, horrifying, or out-of-this-world costume for a two-day bar crawl with seasonal drinks and unforgettable bar hopping fun.
• October 31—Alexandria Fall-O-Ween at John Carlyle Square: Wrap up spooky season with a family-friendly celebration at John Carlyle Square, complete with a costume parade, arts & crafts from local artisans, Halloween-inspired desserts, a beer garden, and family-friendly activities.

Indulge in a shopping getaway where personality-packed neighborhoods make every small business purchase memorable. In Old Town, explore dozens of independent boutiques offering fall fashion, artisan-made jewelry, home décor and gourmet goodies, all framed by delicate cobwebs, pumpkin displays, ghostly faces, and other fall-inspired touches.

While City Hall undergoes continued renovations, explore the surrounding businesses and museums that remain open to travelers. Swing by The Spice & Tea Exchange for a warm cup of hand-mixed pumpkin chai and browse Friends to Lovers autumnal small-town romance books. VisitArielle Shoshana, a perfume playground with unique fragrances and explore glittering displays of jewelry at Today’s Cargo.

In Del Ray, browse a colorful main street lined with homegrown shops, vintage treasures, and unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else. Shop at The Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market, held on the second Saturday of every month, and enjoy cozy café breaks between stops.

Enjoy the crisp autumn air as you snap photos of bright-hued foliage fluttering among the city’s historic architecture and brick-lined sidewalks. Use our fall foliage guide to inspire and inform your leaf-peeping, from sweet gums to sugar maples. On September 13, dive deeper into centuries-old streetscapes with Carlyle House’s Discover Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour. Then, peek behind the façades of architectural gems at the TWIG’s 84th Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour on September 26.

Escape the digital noise and enjoy unique fall-inspired hand-building experiences and workshops across the city. Get creative and make your own charm bracelet, create a relief print, design your own tote bag and more at the Made in ALX Fall Maker’s Market at Port City Brewing Co. Create your fall decor with AR Workshop and make chunky knit pumpkins, or cozy up at Fiscus Glassworks and create your own stained-glass piece. Follow the fall foliage toward the Torpedo Factory Art Center for seasonally inspired art just minutes from Alexandria’s scenic waterfront. Head to Alison Sigethy’s studio Fantastical Glass for a Sea Jewel Workshop. Visit GalleriaGeorgiAna and discover exquisite Cloisonné enamel jewelry. Wander into Dejan Studio Jewelry for jewelry inspired by the natural world and watch artisans create in real time.

Packed with excitement, Alexandria’s fall festivities extend into its thriving neighborhoods like Del Rayand Old Town North. Enjoy freshly baked pumpkin breads, sweet Honeycrisp apples, comforting cups of tea, and farm-fresh vegetables from local farmers. Shop for artisanal crafts including warm knits, ceramic mugs, and pet-friendly items. Explore one of the nation’s oldest continually operating farmers markets, the Old Town Farmers market, and other farmers markets across Alexandria’s neighborhoods.

NOTE: Due to construction at Market Square, the Old Town Farmer’s Market has been temporarily moved to 100 block of North Royal Street.

Find even more things to do this fall in Alexandria here.