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Nov 5, 2025

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.
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This holiday season, Alexandria twinkles with cherished traditions and festive events, including signature parades, open-air winter markets, immersive lights experiences, waterfront fireworks and more throughout the city’s neighborhoods. Named “One of the Most Charming Places to Visit During the Holidays” by Travel + Leisure, Alexandria will bring your Hallmark Christmas movie dreams to life. Learn about the city’s top seasonal events below and find additional holiday happenings at VisitAlexandria.com/Holidays.

Table of Contents

no.1
Discover What’s New in Alexandria This Holiday Season
no.2
Experience Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend
no.3
Make Fun Holiday Memories with Family and Friends
no.4
Shop Holiday Markets Throughout the Neighborhoods
no.5
’Tis the Season to Shop Local
no.6
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Dine By Category

Discover What’s New in Alexandria This Holiday Season

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Image Credit: Sam Kittner

  • Every Body Deserves a Spa Day: Treat yourself to winter wellness this holiday season with a soothing massage, facial or body treatment at JoyLife SPA, the only in-hotel spa in Alexandria, nestled inside Archer Hotel Old Town Alexandria.  
  • Find Your Signature Scent: Arriving later this year at 313 Cameron Street, Arielle Shoshana brings its curated collection of rare and distinctive fragrances, perfect for gifting or treating yourself this holiday season.
  • Preserving History: George Washington’s Mount Vernon is a great place to visit this season, offering both special events and holiday activities during daytime admission. This December, the Mansion at will fully reopen following a multi-year revitalization project.
  • Shaken or Stirred?: Toast the holidays in style at Bar 86. This intimate speakeasy tucked inside the beloved Café du Soleil on 215 S Union Street, is inspired by the famed Chumley’s Bar at 86 Bedford Street in New York.
  • Pasta Worth Sharing: Thompson Italian recently unveiled several new private dining spaces that are perfect for hosting a holiday party or celebrating any occasion. 

Experience Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend

Boats decorated with colorful holiday lights and ornaments float on a river at night, with a city skyline and the illuminated U.S. Capitol building creating a festive holiday backdrop.
Pictured: Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Sponsored by Amazon | Image Credit: Evan Michio

During Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend, celebrate the return of two of the region’s top signature events, the 54th Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade sponsored by Wegmans in historic Old Town Alexandria and the 25th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon along the Potomac River. 

Make it a holiday weekend getaway with an Alexandria hotel stay, cozy restaurants decked out for the holidays and seasonal shopping at more than 100 independent boutiques. Take advantage of holiday hotel packages at several Alexandria properties, including Hotel AKA Alexandria.

Biggest Holiday Weekend Featured Events 

Group Dining: Share a Meal with Family and Friends

O'Connell's Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria during the holidays.

From award-winning celebrity chef-driven restaurants to locally owned favorites, Alexandria’s culinary scene has served U.S. presidents and the who’s who dating back to George Washington. Host your holiday gathering at one of Alexandria’s dozens of restaurants including Oak Steakhouse, Elaine’s, Cedar Knoll, or Jula’s on the Potomac.

Explore More Group Dining Options

Make Fun Holiday Memories with Family and Friends

New Year's Eve Fireworks displayed over Old Town Alexandria.
Pictured: Fireworks over the Potomac River

There’s no shortage of holiday fun in Alexandria!

Top Holiday Happenings This Season 

  • November 15-February 28 – Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run: Enjoy ice skating amidst a winter wonderland, offering an unstructured outdoor family experience to explore stunning light displays, snap family pictures and take a spin on the outdoor ice rink. 
  • November 22 – Holiday Tree Lighting: The City of Alexandria invites you to join the mayor and a host of friends at this annual celebration in Market Square (301 King Street). Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there too! 
  • December 1-18 – Annual Santa Railway Express Train: Take a ride with Santa aboard a magical train! Now in its 19th year, this seasonal ride runs round-trip between Alexandria and Manassas.
  • December 20-21 – Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon: See a sparkling fireworks display, walk through an 18th-century winter encampment, stroll the Mansion and meet General George Washington and Aladdin the Camel.
  • December 24 – Waterskiing Santa Show: For a sight you have to see to believe, head to Alexandria’s waterfront between BARCA Pier and Founders Park on Christmas Eve to witness Santa and his friends gliding along the Potomac River.
  • December 31 – First Night Alexandria: Now in its 31st year, this annual celebration brings families, visitors and artists together to ring in the new year at John Carlyle Square Park.
  • December 31 – New Year’s Eve Fireworks presented by the City of Alexandria: Find a spot along Alexandria’s waterfront to see a dazzling fireworks show over the Potomac. There will be two shows, one at 7:30 p.m. and one at midnight. 

Meet Aladdin the Christmas Camel

Meet Aladdin the Christmas Camel at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, a beloved holiday tradition that honors George Washington’s 1787 decision to pay 18 shillings to bring a camel to Mount Vernon to entertain his guests.

Shop Holiday Markets Throughout the Neighborhoods

Two women shop at an outdoor holiday market in Alexandria, VA.

Stroll open-air winter markets complete with live music, Santa sightings, shopping and more throughout Alexandria’s neighborhoods. 

Holiday Markets in Alexandria, Virginia 

  • November 29– Made in ALX Holiday Makers Market at Port City Brewing Company: Bring your friends, family and even pets to shop 25+ local vendors. Enjoy food, music and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus while you browse.
  • December 5-7, 12-14, 19-21 – Del Ray Artisans Holiday Market: Discover one-of-a-kind handmade fine art and crafts by local artists. Each weekend features a different lineup of creators, so you can come more than once!
  • December 13 – Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show at John Carlyle Square: The biggest Christmas market in Alexandria is a holiday shopper’s dream, featuring unique gifts, holiday décor and more, all crafted by talented local artisans. With carolers filling the air with joyous tunes and a DJ spinning holiday classics, it’s sure to get you in the spirit of the season. 
  • December 14 – Old Town North Community Partnership Annual Holiday Market: Head to Montgomery Park to experience this fun-filled family-friendly day. Shop with local vendors, sip hot chocolate or cider and even join in on some holiday caroling. 

Del Ray Artisans

Del Ray Artisans is a community art organization featuring visual and functional arts with monthly exhibits. Holiday Market three weekends in December.

Catch Alexandria-based artist and printmaker Susan Lefler, and many more artists, during the second weekend of the Del Ray Artisans Holiday Market, December 12-14. 

Image Credit: Dawn Wyse Hurto 

’Tis the Season to Shop Local

A smiling woman in a red coat walks past a brightly decorated holiday shop window on a brick sidewalk at night, surrounded by festive lights and Christmas decorations.

Shop small this season at more than 100 independent boutiques that provide personalized service and curated gift selections. Hop on and off the free King Street Trolley as you shop your way through Old Town. 

Top Shopping Events This Holiday Season 

  • November 28 – Plaid Friday: Alexandria’s version of Black Friday is all about shopping small and local. Enjoy exclusive deals, holiday cheer and the joy of finding the perfect gift for everybody on your list.
  • November 29 – Small Business Saturday: Enjoy local deals, in-store treats, and holiday magic in the D.C. area’s premier “shop small” destination.
  • December 11 – Del Ray Holiday Sip & Shop: Sip, shop, and be merry! The shops of Del Ray invite you to enjoy wine, exclusive deals and extended evening hours during this annual event. 

Neighborhood Favorites: King Street with George Worrell

Looking for some holiday shopping inspo?

Join George Worrell, host of PBS/WHUT Neighborhood Favorites, as he strolls down King Street in Old Town Alexandria to visit Stephanie Kelly, owner of AR Workshop Alexandria, and Amy Rutherford, owner of Pippin Toy Co., Penny Post and Red Barn Mercantile. 

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Duck into locally owned restaurants decked out for the holidays throughout Alexandria’s neighborhoods. Warm up inside a festive, heated Winter Wonderland Igloo at King & Rye, dine with friends and family a cherished restaurant, or toast to the season at a cozy cocktail bar like The Parlour, King’s Ransom or Alice Cocktail Bar. 

Top Drinks and Dining Events This Holiday Season 

  • November 22 – Celebrate Virginia Cider Week at the Alexandria Cider Festival, a special event on the grounds of historic Lloyd House in Old Town Alexandria featuring cider tastings, live music, tavern games and a little history too! 
  • November 27 – Happy Thanksgiving! For those who prefer not to do the cooking this year, many Alexandria restaurants, including KILN and the Potomac Yard location of Founding Farmers, are offering dine-in or carry-out options.
  • December 13 – 10th Annual Del Ray Candy Cane Bar Crawl: Get your ticket for an afternoon of holiday fun, complete with cocktails, raffles and community cheer.
  • December– Stop into holiday-themed pop-up bars Joy on the Avenue and Francis Hall. Annual tradition Joy on the Avenue will return again to the Del Ray neighborhood, while Francis Hall, located inside Hotel Heron, will be Home Alone themed and feature several themed cocktails plus a festive atmosphere to match. 

Find more ways to enjoy this holiday season at VisitAlexandria.com/Holidays.

 

Header Image Credits, Left to Right: Kristian Summerer; John Canery/The Zebra Press; Evan Michio

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